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LOT 3425
Rare First Year 1934 Production Kriegsmarine Marked German Mauser “S/42K” Code K98k Bolt
Action Rifle - Serial no. 2089a, 7.92 mm Mauser cal., 23 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1934, as a highly desirable
and rare “S/42K” code Mauser Oberndorf first year production K98k rifle. This is one of the rarest and most sought after variants of the K98k Mauser rifles.
The German Army officially announced adoption of the K98k on June 21, 1935, however, limited production was commenced in late 1934 by Mauser and J.P.
Sauer & Sohn in limited numbers, per page 118 of “Mauser Bolt Rifles, Third Edition” by Ludwig Olson. Page 123 of the aforementioned book states, “98k carbines produced during 1934 and
1935 bear undated code on receiver ring without other marking to indicate year. Specimens produced during 1934 are extremely rare.” “S/42K” marked on top of the receiver ring with “S/42” being
the Mauser manufacturer code marking and “K” indicating the 1934 production date, “MOD.98.” on the left side rail, drooped wing eagle proofs on various components along with “P|74” rebuild markings
indicating this rifle was reworked and reissued during the World War II era. Drooped wing eagle over “M” Kriegsmarine marking stamped on the right of the stock with “S/42/K” on the bottom along with a “P|74”
stamp which is repeated on top of the handguard. The rifle stock and buttplate were likely replaced at a Naval depot while in Naval service, with these stock markings dating to c. 1935-1936. Arsenal spliced repair on the
wood underneath the bolt handle area. Fitted with blade front and tangent rear sights, milled barrel bands, floorplate, trigger housing, and flat steel buttplate. Matching visible full and partial serial numbers on the front sight
blade, barrel bands, rear sight assembly, barrel, receiver, bolt assembly, trigger housing, and floorplate, with an unnumbered stock, “1” and a “WaA1” Waffenamt on the buttplate. The limited amount of 1934 Mauser K98k rifles saw
hard use prior to the outbreak of World War II and throughout it, lending to their extreme scarcity.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus original blue finish with the balance a silver gray patina. Arsenal replacement stock is very fine, with some light dings and scratches, defined edges and excellent original stamps.
Mechanically excellent. These first year production 1934 “S/42K” code Mauser K98k rifles very rarely turn up today in any form, making this a rare opportunity to acquire one!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3426
World War II German Berlin-Lubecker “duv 43” Code G.41(W) Semi-Automatic Rifle
- Serial no. 1842, 7.92 mm Mauser cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, laminate stock. Manufactured in
1943 before the introduction of the G43 rifle, the G41 was one of the only production model semi-automatic rifles
to use the “gas trap” system, as opposed to the gas port used on the G43, which has become the de-facto standard for
gas-operated weaponry from World War II up through the modern day. Blade front and tangent rear sights, the former
on the matching numbered gas assembly and the latter on the finely machined receiver flanked by a set of integral
scope mounting rails, machined metal dust cover, and a machined bolt carrier with a solid cocking knob and a left side
mounted bolt catch. The magazine has been non-factory upgraded to an extended model, made using the body of
an MG13 machine gun magazine (marked “S in diamond” and “2588.32”) to an adapter installed in lieu of the original
magazine body (with a repeated “S in diamond” stamp, plus an “interlinked dual sig rune” stamp in a style associated
with SS-controlled industries), and a stamped triggerguard. Fitted with a smooth laminated pistol grip stock, with
double “eagle” proofs on the right side, resin handguard, leather sling and a cupped
stamped steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% of the
original blue finish with light edge wear, light
cycling wear, thinning on the balance with grey and brown
patinas, scattered patches of spotting/freckling, and light handling
marks. Mixed numbers are present on the dust cover, bolt, locking lugs,
triggerguard and stock, with the latter showing mild scuffs, dents and a
duffel cut under the mid band. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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