This is Section 1 – WW2 German 1940 Dated Mauser Produced K98K with 7.62 Israeli Conversion 7.62x51mm. This K98K rifle started life as a WW2 German issued standard 7.92/57mm Mauser rifle made by Mauser in 1940 right at the beginning of the war. The example ended up fighting in the easter front and ended up in Czechoslovakia at the end of the war. These rifles were surrendered in Czech territory at the end of the war, purchased by the Jewish Agency and sent to Israel via Operation Balak. They bear wartime German ordnance codes, markings and standard features. The first order consist of MG34, K98K rifles and a few Million rounds of 7.92 ammunition. This is a brief history on why the K98K ended up being re barrelled for 7.62.

The K98 facility was then left to produce spare parts and overhaul all of the various existing K98s in the country. To standardise ammunition supply, the rifles in the first three groups were reworked and re barrelled to use the 7.62mm NATO cartridge. Those guns comprise the fourth group. They have finger-grooved beechwood stocks, new barrels, a large “7.62” hammered into the receiver top and an equally large “7.62” branded into the butt of the stock. Rework and acceptance/proof marks consisted of a Star of David and the Hebrew tsade letter in a circle, usually on the left side of the receiver. In addition, the reworked rifles were fitted with a front sight hood, peculiar to Israel, with two holes and a rivet to secure it in place.

The country still had a lot of 7.92x57mm ammunition in storage by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Only a portion of the country’s K98s had been overhauled and re barrelled for the 7.62mm NATO. Also, only a few FN FALs were available at that point. So, the venerable K98 went to war again, in both calibers. By the time of the 1967 Six Day War, most of Israel’s K98s had been overhauled, and the 7.62mm NATO version was still in service during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Many were made into sniper rifles, commonly using Nimrod or Kahles telescopic sights.

This example is in great condition all round with some minor wear as you can see in the photos. It is around 70% matching numbers with the bolt, receiver and breach all having the same number 3907. It has had a few german markings ground down but are still visible. The bore is in very good condition with no damage or wear to the rifling. The stock is also an original early war stock with the lower profile butt plate and the mark H on the stock for Heer or Army indicating that it is probably the original stock. The metal and wood work look to be the original finish and have not been messed around with like many are. This example also comes with it's original leather isralie sling which is often missing and are now very hard to find. This will make a great target rifle and is far cheaper to shoot now that it has been converted. The magazine floor plate has been replaced at some point in its life and has been swopped with a First World War made example as you can see in the photos. Sadly one of the small screws which is there to hold the large screw is missing but this can easily be fixed/replaced.

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This item requires a Section 1 firearms license to be purchased with a space for a 7.62 or we can do a RFD to RFD at the buyers expense. If you have an questions or queries please feel free to get in touch.