Polish 98AZ

[bocephus]

I've been doing a bit of internet research on this rifle and the most common thing that comes up is that no one can agree what to call it. So I'm just going to use the label from the Mauser Military Rifles book, in there they call it a Polish Model 98AZ Carbine.

I'm pretty excited about this one, I think it's cool looking and it just feels good, very comfortable to carry, I'm looking forward to shooting it.

Almost everything has a number and almost everything matches. I found matching numbers on the handguard, stock, floorplate, magazine, butt plate, both barrel bands and even the magazine follower. One interesting thing about the follower is that it locks into place when you pull the bolt back like the later model Czech mausers do.

The bolt does not match but appears to have a Nazi Eagle stamped on it.

I'm missing a couple small parts. There's no screw to hold the rear barrel band in place. The rear sight has the part that slides to adjust it but there's no button or spring in that piece.

[desdem12]

SAWEET I like it. I thought they were called wz98 but what ever it is is way nice. Like the stamps and cartouches, even a polish eagle on the bolt.

[desdem12]

Maybe it is a german eagle. They did use these after capture.

[bocephus]

I was wondering if I was confused about the eagle, I know a lot of countries used eagle variations.

Yeah I'm still not sure about the name, the book lists both a long and short rifle version. The short rifle version has the stacking rod on it like this one. Reading over the various message board posts there seems to be no agreement on what the pre wz.29 rifles were called.

[BuckeyeSgt]

Looks like a Waffenamt eagle. That is sweet.

[Longcolt44]

Looks like a Waffenamt eagle. That is sweet.

+1, it is a Waffenamt Nazi stamp.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Marcus]

It's the Polish version of the WW1 German Kar 98a. The Poles called it the "Karabinek 98", which means "Carbine 98". It should be marked K98 on the left side receiver rail.

It's very unusual to see one of these that still has the Polish crest on the receiver - most of the ones you encounter are ones that were sent to the Communist/Anarchist "Red Republicans" in the Spanish Civil War and had the receiver markings scrubbed in Poland before they were shipped to Spain. The intact crest adds significant value.

Are there any import marking on it?

If there are import markings it most likely came in from the Romaina or Albania, as these rifles were used by German forces in these areas in WW2 and also supplied to Albania by Germany. Also, a very few of these ended up in Turkey at the end of WW2 that were brought there by German troops who made their way to German-friendly Turkey rather than surrender to and be murdered by Communist forces in Yugoslavia and Albania.

After the German conquest of Poland in 1939, all of the Polish military rifles in the western half of Poland became property of the German military; those in the eastern half became Soviet property. It is not unusual to find WW2 German used Polish Mausers - both Polish made and former WW1 German rifles that the Poles acquired - with mixed Polish, WW1 German, and WW2 German parts. Also, when surrendered by the Germans at the end of WW2 or when brought back by U.S. soldiers, a lot of the bolts got mixed up.

What does the back (flat) side of the ball on the bolt handle look like? I'm wondering if this is a German made replacement 98a bolt, a bolt from a German issue mountain carbine (IIRC, these were called G33/40), or a German 98k bolt modified for use on a 98a. German Army and SS "Gebirgsjaeger" ("Mountain Infantry" - tough, elite troops) used both the G33/40 and 98a rifles.

If no import markings, it could be a WW2 bringback or a Spanish Civil War captured rifle. As mentioned above, most SCW Polish Mausers were scrubbed, but not all of them.

[Marcus]

Correct band screws for these are kind of hard to find, as they are unique to this model. Numrich or Springfield Sporters might have one. Sometimes a band for one of these rifles with the correct screw will show up for sale on Gunbroker or Ebay. Or you can do what the Germans did in WW2 when they needed a band screw and didn't have one handy - make one from a modified Czech VZ24 or Polish WZ29 rear band screw. The VZ24 or Wz29 band screw will be a little longer and you will have to shorten it some, but it will work and is not totally incorrect or improper as this was a field expedient German replacement.

If you are interested in a correct, original WW2 Polish bayonet for this rifle, I have a "battlefield pick-up" one for sale. It's in fair to good condition - solid, intact, and usable, with good original grips, but has a lot of light pitting on the metal. Some folks call this "blood pitting", but I believe it's just from laying on the ground for a little while in the central European rain or snow. It has been cleaned so there is no active rust, and looks o.k. with a well used rifle. It does not have a scabbard, but one from any German 98k bayonet will work. I am asking $65 + shipping for it.

[bocephus]

Hi, thanks for all the info. The ball on the bolt handle is hollow. I was not able to find any import marks on it but it was packed with grease.

[Marcus]

That's a 33/40 bolt - worth a fair amount by itself, and definitely adds interest to the rifle.

[bocephus]

Hey there's one of these for sale on the grey blanket right now. I know the grey blanket brings a premium but it makes me feel a little better about what I spent on mine.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I have had a few deals from Larry and Steve, the grey blanket sellers, in fact the Gehendra Martini I just put up a video of came from them at reasonable cost, less than what IMA wants for one.

[Rangerflip]

Sweet rifle.

[ajconti321]

I have the same rifle! This is the most info I've found about it mine is a wwii bring back that my father bought from a wwii vet in the 80s at a yard sale.

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[ajconti321]

I have one of these it is a all numbers matching bring back from wwii

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OLD POST RESURRECTION!!!

[steelbuttplate]

. Cool drool. 1st one I've seen. Wrap some fine wire in front of the sight on the lowest setting, or it will slide up to 800, back to 500, yada yada every time it's fired. If your itching to fire it. Numrich has a Israeli K98 rear sight in stock.