Israeli .308, FN?

[JohnAbt]

Sirs;
I'm new here, and just purchased an Israeli K98 in .308. It is VERY rough, will need restocking and refinishing. I want it not for collecting but as a shooter, and was wondering if there is any more info about FN Mausers. Are they the same as German ones? This one has, "FAB. NAT. D'ARMES de GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE" on the side of the receiver. "&.62" is on the top of the receiver, and a six-pointed star with a leafy plant looking emblem, surrounded by symbols, maybe cryllic? Any odeas on what this was, was it converted and is is a real K98? I tried searches but didn't find much on the FN or Isreali Mausers.
I appreciate any help before I begin rebuilding this.
Thanks!
John

7.62

[allan1898]

These were available a couple of years or so back. No, they are not identical to German, FN is Belgian. The Belgians and FN in particular have made some excellent Mausers. I can't remember if they were converted in Israel, or originally chambered in 7.62, but I'm sure someone else will. The symbols are most likely Hebrew. When the Israelis were just getting started, they had a problem with arms aquisitions(no one wanted to sell to them), and shipment generally meant smuggling. They ended up with an assortment of arms and ammunition. These were front line weapons at first, then went to reserves and training. Most were heavily used. You have an interesting bit of history.

[Mooseman684]

Sounds like you have a Model 1924/30 FN Mauser which is a standard 98 Mauser action Reproduced by Them. It is Mechanically the same as the Czech and German service rifles. They were originally chambered in 3 different Cartridges...7MM Mauser, 7.65 Argentine Mauser, and 7.92 Mauser.
Israel later converted the 7.92 Mausers to 7.62X51 Nato (.308) in the late 1950's.
Rich

[gunney_m]

Im a handgunner but Welcome to G&G.

[JohnAbt]

Sirs;
Thanks for the help; I have a few K98s, but every time I want to shoot them someone tells me I shouldn't because they're growing in value. I like the rifles, and wanted something I could restock, shoot and not feel guilty about. This one needs a new stock, barrel and finish. I don't think there is any collector value left in it.

Again, I appreciate the help and am glad I found you folks!

John Abt
Richmond, VA

[tackleberry]

Originally Posted by JohnAbt

Sirs;
Thanks for the help; I have a few K98s, but every time I want to shoot them someone tells me I shouldn't because they're growing in value. I like the rifles, and wanted something I could restock, shoot and not feel guilty about. This one needs a new stock, barrel and finish. I don't think there is any collector value left in it.

Again, I appreciate the help and am glad I found you folks!

John Abt
Richmond, VA

John I bought one too and although the action and barrel is in very good shootable shape, the stock is so ugly and smelly I barely could stand to put my hands on it, Gun PArts Corp has new stocks (shown here) that were made for the Israeli K98's.
Current price is $59.00 I think. They are new, perfectly inletted, and the only thing I did was add a light chestnut stain followed by three coats of boiled linseed oil to finish.
Save your old stock (like I did ) and put another one on to take to the range. Dave


Mauser 98K Military Hardwood Stock



GunPARTSCORP.com in the Mauser 98 section.

[Johnnycat]

"I have a few K98s, but every time I want to shoot them someone tells me I shouldn't because they're growing in value."


Growing in value - I guess. But probably not so fast that you can't have fun with them. You can restock your rifle without all-out sporterizing it. A lot of sporting stocks are available with stepped barrel channels so you don't have to do much to get a really good shooter. Unless you have a "GI Bring-back" as opposed to a "Russian Capture" I wouldn't worry about it.