I bought a 98 Mauser...

[IdahoSharpshooter]

at the gun show last month, with NO serial number.
Nice sporter, DST's 7,9mm; which is the .323" bore.
No serial number. I have a Mauser friend, who told me the story. After WWI the Germans could not manufacture bolt action rifles. They had stocks of the GEWEHR model left, and ground all of the military markings off, including the serial number on the bolt handle.
Anybody else have one?

Rich

 

[jds holler]

I've got an all stock K98. Dirty birds and all. jd

 

[beemanjohn]

I have one. My father bought it in the '50's as a 243 sporter. No markings on it at all.

 

[watercam]

I have one. The only number on the action anywhere is on the end of the bolt handle. Took it to New Zealand from LA and a customs agent used that number as a serial # and issued an identifying doc so that I could get it back into the US again. It's been three different calibers so far...

 

[ireload2]

I once owned a BCD 4 K98 that had all original markings but it never had a number on the receiver.

 

[joshb]

I love old Mausers. So many variants and so much history. I have a "duffle bag cut war bring back" with all the correct markings. Neat gun. The Swedes are my favorites.

 

[jds holler]

I love old Mausers. So many variants and so much history. I have a "duffle bag cut war bring back" with all the correct markings. Neat gun. The Swedes are my favorites.

Hey Josh, mine was also a duffle-cut. I've since obtained a complete stock for it and put it together complete. It's all matching, except for the front barrel band and bayo lug of course. It's a BYF43. Bought it from a doofus whose Grandpa had brought it back from the European theater. I guess that's what happens to our old treasures when we're gone. jd

 

[jonbearman]

I have some k98's etc and one is marked serial #3 but none without a serial number.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I had one that was a true parts Gun.
98 Mauser large Ring , ground down to a small ring . US Springfield 30.06 barrel fitted.
Bolt handle made to Butter Knife .Hand carved Walnut Stock with Stags and leafs.
No Numbers . It was Military had striper Guide .
Never Shot it ????

 

[Liven The Dream]

I will add back in the 50's Marshal Felds in Chicago had a Gun Sales Dept. and Gun Smith .
Many Mausers came from them.

There was a Chicago Gun Service up North Paul Avery Turned out many Mausers

The Man to remember was Johnny Smith from Carpenters Ville Il.
He built many a fine rifle off 98 Mauser Actions .
He was a 30.06 - 8mm Fan. He called them His Bear Rifles.

I was lucky to be in His Shop ( dirt floor in most spots). I saw old nail Barrels full of 98 Barreled Actions.
The rafters had Barreled Action just Hanging in them.
Johnny was a true Gun Smith and Metal Specialists . His Bolt Handle jobs where a thing of Art.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

IMO, they are still the finest bolt actions to build custom hunting rifles out of. That, along with the OM 70's.
They simply feed and eject.

 

[jds holler]

There is certainly something about them that puts a hook in ya. It's almost like this one of mine has a spirit of it's own. Maybe weird German ju ju. I can only imagine the tales this rifle might tell. jd