Interesting rework of K98k Mauser

[Steve Whitley]

Purchased from on-line auction simply because it was intriguing. What appears to be a simple rework of a war-time K98k exhibits markings which appear to suggest it was given a new barrel in the east, and according to the seller, in late 1952. The barrel markings have me scratching my head. Final product evidently sold by Hege. Walther banner trademark might be an example of the use of trademarks from companies which had moved west at this time, rather than indicative of Walther having had an actual hand in it after their move to Ulm? Circled hammer mark suggest DDR, and small mark at receiver edge looks like circled Z for Brno? Barrel appears to have had previous serial number X-ed out and renumbered when mated to this receiver. Curious as to its history and anxious to receive it to disassemble for further inspection. Possibly rebuilt for police or ? other government use originally? Any ideas/suggestions?

Steve

hege walther.jpg
hege 2.jpg

[Axel E]

98k was refurbished for retail by Hege GmbH quite recently, at least after 1970, by Walther, Ulm. They used a barrel by the Swiss gunmaker Haemmerli, hammer tm, a subsidiary of Walther / Umarex. There must be current German proofmarks somewhere on the rifle, maybe covered by the wood. These will allow dating The the conversion. The proof date may be encoded with letters.

[Steve Whitley]

Many thanks, Axel! It should arrive here this weekend, and I will see what other marks it has.

Steve

[Steve Whitley]

Rifle has arrived. Still puzzled.
Barrel had a very pretty Ulm antler proof with 1152 date on right side. I thought Walther was not operating in Ulm until 1953? Did Haemmerli re-barrel it under contract to/for Walther? Hege evidently put the 1439 serial number on barrel and receiver, along with their name and address. Crossed out with XXXX on left of barrel was an earlier serial (A 2114, I think) which also appears on receiver below wood line and on the bolt, still. And the small mark beneath Haemmerli trademark on barrel root STILL looks like a circled Z for Brno? What year did Hege go into business? Will post more photos later.

Steve

[Steve Whitley]

Here are some additional photos. It just gets more and more mysterious to me.

Steve

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[Axel E]

Steve, I thought the Walther, Haemmerli and Hege marks were applied at the same time, but they are not. As the proof date of the Ulm proofhouse, 1152 = November 1952 shows, the rifle was refurbished for some police unit in 1952. The receiver was scrubbed of all former military markings. the rifle was rebarreled by Walther, Ulm, using a barrel bought in from Haemmerli. At that time Haemmerli built the Walther .22 target pistols under licence, but with their own name and "Made in Swizerland". As German police than was not allowed to have "military weapons", the 98k was "demilitarized" by removing the bayonet lug and probably by blocking the tangent sight to 300 meters. Until 1972 a bayonet lug and a longer range rear sight legally distinguished a "military" from a "sporting" rifle. Walther renumbered the receiver to the bolt handle number, 2114. But as that tnumber was invisible on the assembled rifle, someone, police or Hege?, registered it as number 1439. Much later it was surplused and sold by Hege. As it had valid civilian proofmarks already, there was no need to proof it again before releasing it to the civilian market.

[Steve Whitley]

That is very much the conclusion I had reached, Axel. With the barrel turned slightly and an uncut lug placed on the stock, one can see where the bayonet lug was cut off (and not very carefully). A mark on underside of receiver of WR for Waffen Revision and remnants of commercial proofs on bolt root suggest the action may have begun life as a Standard Modell possibly. At any rate, it has had an interesting life and it tells me a story. Thanks again for your input!
Steve

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