1941 German G.98/40 rifle

[PRE]

Hi all,
I bought this one over a year ago, but haven't posted it up until now. This is a 1941 (first year of production) German G.98/40 rifle built in Budapest on a German contract. While we don't have enough/any surviving documents to detail their roots, these rifles followed some of the designs of the earlier Hungarian 35M rifle, up to that time the main battle rifle for Hungary. The G.98/40 would mark a significant departure, having many aspects that were already used in the K98k Mauser rifles that Germany is better known for. These included a sling slot cut-out in the butt stock, chambering in 7.92X57mm as opposed to the 35M's 8X56R, side sling attachments only, and a bayonet lug to accommodate the Wehrmacht's K98k bayonets. These were produced from 1941 until some time in 1944. In the meantime, the G.98/40 design won over the Hungarian Army, who ceased production of the 35M and converted to producing the Hungarian 43M, a very close match to the G.98/40, and in identical chambering.

This example is 100% matching and retains clear stock and metal markings. It is unfortunately missing its front sight hood, as many are. I also own a 1943 dated example, and both have silky-smooth and short bolt throws, similar to a nice No.4 Mk.I Enfield rifle. This will sound heretical to some, but I enjoy these more than the better known K98k rifles.

Best,
Pat

[PRE]

More photos-

[MAP]

Nice. Learned something new today. A rifle I knew nothing about before this !

[PRE]

Last photos, plus two period photos showing Waffen-SS personnel using a G.98/40 and a captured rifle on the side of a Soviet T-34.

Best,
Pat

[mauser9]

Excellent PRE. Have not seen better pics of one ever. Heard about them but certainly must be more rare to come by. Interesting to see the differences between this and the 98k. I would imagine that prices for this model have soared like many milsurps lately. Thanks for sharing with us. Got my interest up. Gotta do some more reading.

[Anderson]

Interesting variant.

[mauser9]

Meant to mention the nice stock. Sure looks walnut from here. Takes the stamps well. Mine 1940 98k has the laminate like most after 37-38 time period. The walnuts sure got a classy look to em.