Why does the Mauser rear sight have #'s on the back?

[theotherhomer]

Hi guys, I've been wondering why some Mauser k98k rear sights have numbers from 1 - 20 on the back, and whats the f mark under the serial number?Also when I get the new stock for this rifle I'll post some pictures in this thread

[GasMasksUK]

The numbers on the sight is for setting the range of the weapon, I'm not too sure if its in feet or metres for this rifle though. I think that its measured in 10's aswell; 18=180, 19=190, 20=200....

Thanks

Danny

[emileverbunt]

These figures on the rear of the rear sight do not seem functional.

The only reason I can come up with is the use of rifle grenades. Flip up the sight in a vertical position.

Cheers,
Emile

[Richie B]

Serial numbers were in blocks per year ie

0001 - 9999, 0001a - 9999a, 0001f - 9999f, 0001z - 9999z

then

0001aa - 9999aa upto 0001zz - 9999zz

Bayonets were the same.

Don't know about sights I'm afraid - I'll leave that to someone else.

Regards

Richie

[theotherhomer]

The grenade idea seams pretty logical, also thanks Richie for that info on the serial number

[Chuckd]

I believe the K98 grenade launcher attachment had its own built-in sight.

I've always wondered why they bothered to number both sides of the main sight too. The discontinued this practice partway thru the war to reduce production times.

[zwerge]

Well,IMHO,with the backsight already raised,you could readjust the sight without having to bring the rifle back down into your foxhole to see the front of it.

[lithgow]

Hello-that does seem the most likely reason-German pre war thoroughness ditched under wartime production pressure-although my Chang Kai-shek Chinese Mauser made in 1945 has the underside range markings on its sights.

[theotherhomer]

Heres the pictures of the new stock, I also bought a new safety for the rifle and when I got home I found out the WaA mark on it matched the stock hardware WaA code marks