K 98 K
K 98 K
K 98 K
These are the manufacturers codes as applied to Mauser K98k rifles. The list
is unlikely to be complete and we would welcome additions.
A pretty comprehensive explanation of codes and other markings may be
found in Richard D Law, Backbone of the Wehrmacht, published by Collector
Grade books on the K98k rifle. Volume 1 is on the development and general
issue rifle. Volume 2 is on the Sniper Variations. The many contracts are
illustrated with detail of dating, and other inspection marks, and an indication
of quantities for the various contracts for production of the K98k rifle.
Also, although less easily obtained but thoroughly well researched and
comprehensive as far as records allow, is: Das System Adelbert Der K98k by
Albrecht Wacker, Adelbert being the name given to the manufacturers
coding.
The manufacturers code was established to cover-up the manufacture of
military arms in Germany, something forbidden under the terms of the
Versailles Peace Treaty and inspected by the Inter-Allies Control
Commission. At a time when Hitler and the new Nazi administration in
Germany were breaking the re-armament limitations of the Versailles Treaty,
the codes were a means of disguising their resources.
Initially the code was a letter plus 2 or 3 numbers, e.g. S/42 for Mauser. Early
K98k production was a combination of letter/number with a date letter: e.g.
S/42K for Mauser 1934 And S/147/G for Sauer in1935, the S suffix was
dropped from 1938, e.g. 147 for J P Sauer in 1938. The scripts are normally
plain, although italicised examples are, infrequently, seen.
In 1940, it was changed to a letter coding, although confusingly, letter codes
had been used from 1937, with BSW. ERMA changed their name in 1940 to
Feinmechanische Werke GmbH, Erfurt, although they continued to use the
S/27 code right to the end of their production of K98k rifles in 1942.
Examples of double coded rifles appear from 1941, for example ax/ar for a
Feinmechanische Werke GmbH, Erfurt (ERMA) joint production with Mauser
Werke AG, Borsigwalde.
Code
Makers Name
Note
S/27
S/42
S/147
S/237
S/243
337
337
660
945
a
ar
avk
From 1936.
brg
BSW
byf
bys
ce
ch
crv
awz
ax
ayf
bcd
bnz
bpr
cyw
dhs
dlv
dot
dou
duv
dwc
e
fxo
1939
1940
From 1939
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From 1937
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Italicised style
letters and
vertical (1942)
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Code
Makers Name
Note
gba
parts
Geco
ghn
gqm
guo
i
jwh
K
l
LU
lxr
m
n
o
q
qnw
swp
svw
unk
unk
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