May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
This is an extremely scarce example of a pre-adoption K98 rifle manufactured by J.P. Sauer & Sohn in 1934. It is estimated that only 10,000 of this variation by Sauer were manufactured, with this example being the highest recorded serial number to date and being listed as the highest serial number observed in "Backbone of the Wehrmacht, The German K98k Rifle, 1934-1945" by Richard D. Law. This example's receiver is appropriately blank over the chamber and is stamped with an early Weimar pattern "(Eagle) / 116" waffenamt, followed by 2 "(Eagle) / 114" waffenamts, as well as "S/147/K" on the right side, with a Weimar firing proof present on the left. Left side of barrel bears an additional firing proof and "(Eagle) / 114" waffenamt, with the right side exhibiting a "K" over 3 "(Eagle) / 49" waffenamts below the wood line. Right side of buttstock bears an "(Eagle) / H" Heer stamp above 2 "(Eagle) / WaA114" waffenamts, with additional waffenamts present on the bottom of the wrist and buttstock. Stock retains its rear barrel band spring, which is unique to this variation. Buttplate is stamped "R.F.V./ 1780", indicating issue to the Reichs Finanz Verwaltung (Reich Financial Administration). Metal components retain a wonderful deep blue finish, with the trigger retaining some spots of its original strawed finish. Stock and handguard are comprised of solid walnut. All numbers are matching, including the bolt assembly, stock (on the bottom of the butt and in the interior in the barrel channel), as well as the upper handguard. This example is accompanied by a printed article "The Sauer K98k" by Bob Jensen. CONDITION: Very good, with metal components retaining the vast majority of their original factory-applied blue finish, exhibiting some scattered areas of wear, as well as areas of light surface oxidation, with some small scattered spots of pitting overall. Buttplate and stock takedown disc exhibit brown oxidation overall. Bore exhibits dark oxidation within the grooves but otherwise retains well-defined rifling throughout. Stock shows scattered marks and impressions from handling and storage, with a small loss on the right side (just forward of the bolt assembly), but otherwise is sturdy and serviceable. An exceptionally scarce, all matching example, of an extremely early K98 variation, suitable for the discerning collector. MLW
Manufacturer
J.P. Sauer & Sohn