*Israeli, WW2-c1958 conversion, Dated 1958, Fab Nat D Armes De Guerre Herstal Belgique Mauser 7.62 K98 Rifle, Marked with Waffenamts and original German Stock, Deactivated Old Spec*
Serial no: 675560 marked on left of barrel with Hebrew markings above, - the letters tsadik and nunn. The letter tsadik is the first letter in Tsahal (literally translated as “The IDF”) and nunn is the first letter in nizdak (“checked”) so the marking means “IDF Inspected”Bolt marked: 610820
Marked: Fab Nat D'Armes de Guerre, Herstal-Belgique
Marked on top of Barrel: "7.62" over an "IDF Emblem" - Israeli 6 point star, Marked "15-58" - Batch 15 1958.
Marked on the stock: "288" in blue paint and roughly carved underneath it "762"
Marked below bolt: Two faint Waffenamts
43.5" overall length
This is an Israeli issued, Belgium made, 7.62 Nato K98 Rifle, that has been converted from an original Nazi WW2 rifle or made using parts from a Nazi WW2 rifle. This rifle has waffenamts below the bolt and 762 carved below the stock indicating that the stock was original German issue.
After World War II, many liberated European countries continued producing rifles similar to the Karabiner 98k. Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium manufactured both their older models and brand-new Karabiner 98k rifles, often using leftover German parts or captured machinery.
Israel issued Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles from the late 1940s until the 1970s, which are now highly sought after by collectors. Many of these rifles were acquired under Operation Balak. A smuggling operation, during the founding of Israel in 1948, that purchased arms in Europe to avoid various embargoes and boycotts transferring them to the Yishuv. Jewish organizations in Mandatory Palestine sourced them from Europe after World War II for defense and operations against Arabs and British forces. 1950/1951, the newly established Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ordered additional Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles from Fabrique Nationale, featuring Israeli and Belgian markings and the IDF emblem on the rifle's receiver. These rifles were produced and sold to Israel after it became an independent nation in 1948.
In the late 1950s, the IDF converted their Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles from the original German 7.92×57mm Mauser round to 7.62×51mm NATO, following the adoption of the FN FAL rifle as their primary weapon in 1958. Converted rifles have "7.62" stamped on the receiver, and those with original German stocks, like this one have "7.62" burned into the heel of the stock to differentiate them from the original 7.92×57mm Mauser versions still in service or reserve.
*Condition*
Given its age and history this rifle is in excellent condition. It has been deactivated to old Spec and cocks and dry-fires. The rifle woodwork is in good condition given its age, free of cracks and splits but age related dents as expected for a rifle of this age. The metalwork is nice and clean. It does not have a sling. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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