question regarding Mauser 98

G

genephillips

Inactive
i just bought a 98 mauser and would like to know its country of manufacture and any other pertinent info one might have. the features and markings of the rifle are thus: 27/28 inch barrel, straight bolt, 8mm caliber and the following markings on the receiver: T C
AS FA
ANK ARA
K.KALE
1943
plus a crescent moon symbol and star in the center. any help will be appreciated.
 
A question very similar to this one was posted to this month's issue of Gun world. You are probably not going to like the answer, though.

It seems that the Turks rebarreled, refinished, and standardized a large number of 98-style Mauser to the Turkish model 1938 standard jsut before and during WWII. Most of the original markings were buffed off and the stocks replaced. Also, the guns were normally converted to use 7.92x57 ammo (with the larger .323" bore) that was standard with the Nazi army.

Most are Czech, Polish, or German. If you can find a tiny star on the receiver, you may have an Oberndorf manufactured item, but, otherwise, it is very hard to tell.

My advice: find one in good shape, clean it up, put nice wood under it, and enjoy your inexpensive shooter!
 
ankara = capital of Turkey
crescent and star = symbols of Islam, in the flags of most Islamic nations, such as Turkey.
 
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