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PLEASE HELP ANYBODY?

HIFLYER
Hallo all

I am from South Africa and I have inherrited a rifle. I only have the following particulars:

ERFURT 1905 249

7,9 MM

ER KAUFT 6 31 9431

W4884

KAR.98

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE WEAPON IS WORTH SOMETHING. I HUNT REGULARLY AND ALSO OWN A 3006, 243 AND 375 MAGNUM.

I would appreciate any comment.

Good day

Hill[:)]
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • brecht
    It looks like it is a gewehr 98
    what is the length of the barrel?
    if its 74 cm or 29" its the long version if its 60 cm or 24 " it the short version called 98K
    The germans used it in both world wars.
    To get a good price it is important that all numbers match. Back in the day they stamped everything. (barrel ,bolt , receiver)

    in a world full of compromise some don't
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  • Iconoclast
    Welcome to zoo, flyer!

    Condition is key. So many of the old Mausers were modified in some way once they came into civilian hands, it is impossible to give you any idea of value without photos and other data. At worst, you have a quality rifle to shoot. In mint, original, condition, it is worth a few hundred $US. Given its age and the caliber designation, best to have it checked over by a capable gunsmith to be sure it's in good working order and to have him slug the bore. The earlier rifles were 7.9x57 (.318" bore) and the later versions were 7.92x57 (.323" bore). The latter is far more common and it is difficult to obtain the right diameter bullets, much less loaded ammunition for the 7.9 "JR" bore rifles. But firing the "S" bore (standard .323") ammo in an "R" bore is guaranteed to cause a bad day.

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)
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  • p3skyking
    You may have a very rare weapon. I have heard that some of those rifles were still in Afrika, a holdover from when the Germans had German East Afrika (DOA). (See the African Queen with Humphrey Bogart).

    Erfurt did not start producing the Kar 98AZ (a later and more conventional model) until around 1907 or so. You have what I believe to be called the ORIGINAL Kar 98. Can you post or email a photo? Your barrel should be short, like 18 or so inches. Tremendous muzzle flash and that is one of the reasons it did not last. In addition to the short barrel, look for a Lange rear sight (looks like a tiny rollercoaster) and a spoon shaped bolt handle.

    If it is in fact what I belive it may be you have an EXTREMELY rare weapon.

    Men have passed on...knowledge...yet in politcs, statecraft, and social relationships we continue to repeat old mistakes.
    It is a thing I must remember, that men must always remember, that civilization is a flimsy cloak, and just outside are hunger, thirst, and cold.....waiting. L'Amour
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  • 1KYDSTR
    Just chiming in with a rather uneducated question here as this area is not really my speciality, but is there any chance this is an early commercial rifle? I would assume by the reciever date that it is indeed a 318 diameter. I don't recognize some of the nomenclature used in the markings and was wondering if perhaps it ahd "express" type sights (folding leaves) to further reinforce my guess? Some of the requests for info as to barrel length, sight type, stock configuration, sling options (is the front sling mounted to the barrel?), butt plate type, reciever bridge shape etc, would be good to know, as would seeing a picture if you can manage. What do you think guys, any credence to this WAG?

    "When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
    "Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
    "History is written by winners"(Patton)
    "You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
    "There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)
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  • p3skyking
    Additional info from a twelve page write up in GUN COLLECTORS DIGEST VOL IV.
    Only two made in 1905 have come to light. One is in the arms museum in Swakopmund, South-West Africa, the other in Musee d'Armes, Liege, Belgium.

    Men have passed on...knowledge...yet in politcs, statecraft, and social relationships we continue to repeat old mistakes.
    It is a thing I must remember, that men must always remember, that civilization is a flimsy cloak, and just outside are hunger, thirst, and cold.....waiting. L'Amour
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  • 1KYDSTR
    SkyKing...Are they strictly military arms? I would assume so by your reference but am still curious!

    "When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
    "Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
    "History is written by winners"(Patton)
    "You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
    "There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)
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  • p3skyking
    quote:Originally posted by 1KYDSTR
    SkyKing...Are they strictly military arms? I would assume so by your reference but am still curious!



    Yes, Germany was rearming at this time with the brand new model 98. There were not enough to go around, much less sell commercially.
    During WWI, the reserves and secondary echelons were armed with obsolete '88's so great was the shortage due to the slow timetable to arm.

    I hope Hiflyer checks back in to confirm what he has.

    Men have passed on...knowledge...yet in politcs, statecraft, and social relationships we continue to repeat old mistakes.
    It is a thing I must remember, that men must always remember, that civilization is a flimsy cloak, and just outside are hunger, thirst, and cold.....waiting. L'Amour
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  • Hangfire
    Great info Mike!!!Looking forward to Hiflyers postback as well.

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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