Mauser 98

[bs230038]

Newbie here with a question and was told this was the place to ask. My son-in-laws grandfather has an old mauser that we are trying to find information on. While being fairly well versed in firearms, I know nothing about Foreign weapons. This one is a sporterized version. The stock looks original so I am trying to find out if it was built that way or was done later in life. Would also like to learn as much as I can about it. On the top is is stamped S/42G.

[mike ford]

bs230038,
Your son-in-law's grandfather's rifle is a WW2 mauser mod.98, that has been "home sporterized", by shortening the stock. Such a rifle as this will have considerably more value to your son-in-law as a keepsake and reminder of his grandfather. Of course, it can be used "as is" to hunt deer( American made 8mm Mauser ammo is available). The S/42G on the receiver is a WW2 Nazi code which identifies the maker of the rifle. This is a site for sporting guns; nevertheless if your son in law returns it to military configuration with original type parts, it would enhance the rifle's value. This is especially so if the grandfather is a WW2 veteran and still has "capture papers" for the rifle. He would still have his grandfather's home sporterized stock and could return it to the configuration his grandfather put it in, at any time he wants. I would greatly discourage bluing the rifle, mounting a scope, or otherwise modifying it. I recently noticed that Simpson Ltd. has some Military stocks for sale, some with hardware. If no one else has identified the S/42G marking, by the time I return from the hunting camp, I will see what I can find.
Mike

[Axel E]

As the S/42G code shows, it was a very early 98k, made in 1935, first year of production, by the Mauser, Oberndorf factory. Restoring it to the original military configuration, as Mike pointed out, would greatly enhance it's value to a military collector.