German, Pre-WW2-1937, Kriegsmarine-Issue Mauser S/42 K98k Rifle, Original Nordsee-Marked Walnut Stock, Converted .410 Bore Sporting Shotgun, Serial No. 3698, WaA63, EU/UK Deactivated

*German, Pre-WW2-1937, Kriegsmarine-Issue Mauser S/42 K98k Rifle, Original Nordsee-Marked Walnut Stock, Converted .410 Bore Sporting Shotgun, Serial No. 3698,

WaA63, EU/UK Deactivated*

- Scarce Kriegsmarine (Nordsee 'N') issue Mauser K98k
- Manufactured by Mauser Oberndorf (S/42) in 1937
- Original walnut stock matching 3698 N
- Matching receiver, stock, trigger guard, floorplate and barrel band
- Period Mauser arsenal repair with matching 2656 barrel, bolt and rear sight assembly
- Numerous WaA63 Waffenamt acceptance marks throughout
- British post-war .410 Bore sporting conversion retaining military configuration
- Original tangent rear sight, military fittings and walnut furniture
- Complete with Birmingham 2025 EU/UK Deactivation Certificate

A scarce and highly collectable Kriegsmarine-issued Mauser K98k, manufactured by Mauser Oberndorf in 1937 under the manufacturer's code S/42, later professionally converted into a .410 Bore sporting shotgun whilst retaining its distinctive military appearance and much of its original wartime configuration.

The receiver is correctly roll marked S/42 over 1937 and serial numbered 3698. The original walnut buttstock is likewise stamped 3698 together with the desirable 'N' property mark, identifying issue to the Kriegsmarine Nordsee (North Sea Naval Command). Naval-marked K98k rifles are considerably scarcer than standard Heer examples and represent an increasingly sought-after collecting field.

The rifle retains an impressive amount of matching numbered furniture, including the receiver, trigger guard, floorplate, barrel band and original walnut stock, all numbered 3698. During its military service it underwent an official Mauser arsenal refurbishment, with the barrel, bolt and rear sight assembly replaced by a matching numbered set 2656. These replacement components all bear correct WaA63 Waffenamt inspection marks, indicating that they originated from another early Mauser Oberndorf-produced rifle. As both the original and replacement assemblies carry the appropriate Mauser acceptance marks, the refurbishment is entirely consistent with German wartime armourer's practice of fitting contemporary factory-produced components during military repair, rather than representing a later civilian parts assembly.

Following military service the rifle was professionally converted to .410 Bore, retaining the original military barrel profile, tangent rear sight graduated to 2,000 metres, bayonet lug, barrel bands and full-length walnut stock. Birmingham commercial proof marks confirm the conversion, including .410 Bore, 2½-inch chamber, 3¼ Tons Per Square Inch, Crown over BNP, Crown over NP, and Birmingham inspection marks.

Today it represents a fascinating survivor combining genuine Kriegsmarine provenance, documented military refurbishment and British post-war sporting history.

Approximate Measurements: Overall Length: 113 cm, Barrel Length: 25 inches, Calibre: .410 Bore

Markings:
- Receiver - S/42, 1937, Serial No. 3698, Mauser Oberndorf Waffenamt inspection marks

- Matching Serial Number 3698 - Receiver, Trigger guard, Floorplate, Front barrel band, Walnut stock (stamped 3698 N)
- Matching Replacement Assembly 2656 - Barrel, Bolt, Rear sight assembly, Front sight base

Proof Marks
- Crown over BNP, Crown over NP, Diamond .410, 2½ chamber. 3¼ Tons Per Square Inch, Birmingham HB/2 inspection mark
- Numerous WaA63 Waffenamt acceptance marks remain visible throughout the rifle, including the receiver, barrel, bolt, rear sight, screws and other small components.

History Note:
The Karabiner 98k was officially adopted by Germany in 1935 and became the standard service rifle of the Wehrmacht throughout the Second World War. Early rifles manufactured by Mauser Oberndorf under the S/42 code are particularly admired for their high standard of machining and finish before wartime production economies were introduced.

This example was issued to the Kriegsmarine, with the buttstock carrying the distinctive 'N' property mark denoting the Nordsee (North Sea) Naval Command. Naval K98k rifles were issued to ships' crews, harbour defence units, coastal artillery, naval infantry and shore establishments. Surviving Kriegsmarine-marked examples are significantly less common than standard Army-issued rifles.

Following the Second World War, thousands of surplus K98k rifles were imported into Britain and professionally converted into .410 Bore sporting guns. These conversions enabled the rifles to be owned on a standard Shotgun Certificate rather than the more restrictive Firearm Certificate, allowing many military rifles to remain in civilian use for decades instead of being scrapped.

This example therefore represents three distinct chapters of firearms history: a wartime German military rifle, a post-war British sporting conversion, and finally a legally deactivated collector's piece.

*Condition*
Presented in very good overall condition with honest military and sporting service wear throughout. The metalwork retains an attractive aged finish with only light edge wear and isolated areas of minor surface pitting around the lower left receiver adjacent to the wood line, typical of rifles of this age. Most principal markings, serial numbers and Waffenamt inspection stamps remain clear and well defined. The original walnut stock is particularly well preserved, retaining its crisp Kriegsmarine 'N' property mark together with matching serial number 3698. The wood exhibits only the expected handling marks, knocks and minor scratches accumulated through military and civilian use, with no significant repairs or structural damage evident. The original military tangent rear sight, bayonet lug, barrel bands and steel buttplate all remain fitted. The attractive condition of the walnut furniture likely reflects the rifle's lengthy post-war life as a civilian sporting shotgun, during which it would typically have received more regular care than rifles remaining in military storage. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

Deactivation:
This rifle has been deactivated to the current EU/UK specification and is accompanied by its Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate (No. 190974), certified on 24 November 2025. The certificate records the firearm as a Mauser bolt-action shotgun, chambered in .410 Bore, with a 25-inch barrel, serial number 3698, deactivated by D & B Militaria, Germany. In accordance with the current specification, the bolt no longer operates as originally intended and the firearm is supplied solely as a legal display and collector's piece.