Bidspirit auction | SPORTERIZED 1939 GERMAN K98 MAUSER

SPORTERIZED 1939 GERMAN K98 MAUSER BOLT-ACTION RIFLE - A sporterized German-made 1939 K98 Mauser bolt-action rifle with all matching numbers except for the bolt. This rifle was a take-home by a veteran and has no import markings. The rifle was made in 1939 in Borsigwalde, Berlin, Germany (code 243 on the receiver), serial number 1844. The rifle has all the necessary Waffen eagle proofing marks for service on the receiver and various parts. The barrel is marked ”Dö”, indicating the barrel blank was manufactured by the steelmaker SG Döhlen. The bolt is an original German Waffen-marked K98 bolt with matching numbers, but is serialized 2071, indicating it is from a different rifle. The stock is made of laminated beech wood. The rifle also includes a leather and canvas scabbard and a belt bandolier. For shipping purposes the rifle measures just over 43” L. This rifle, along with the cleaning kit in Lot 443, was picked up by Paul Couture, an American soldier serving in Italy during World War II. According to Couture, both the gun and cleaning kit were found with a dead German soldier. The German soldier was already deceased when Couture found him and the items. It is believed by the family that the inscription “Standke” on the side of the cleaning kit case was the German soldier’s name. On the reverse of the care, are the initials P.C., believed to be for Paul Couture. Following the war Couture modified the Mauser for deer hunting. Attached are Couture’s discharge papers. Identity of German Soldier: In an Ancestry search of the Germany, Military Killed in Action, 1939-1948 collection, there is one soldier listed as killed in Italy with the last name of Standke (Richard Standke) in an area that is plausible for the two soldiers to have overlapped. This collection contains index cards detailing casualties of war from Germany between 1939 and 1948. The record for Standke is attached. It is possible that Richard Standke was the original owner of the Mauser. Couture served in Company A, 719th Railway Operating Battalion. This unit would have been following military engagements and repairing damaged lines. Aprilia, Italy is located on major lines between Naples, Italy and Rome, Italy in an area it would make sense for the American forces to be repairing rail lines. Germany, Military Killed in Action, 1939-1948 Card 1 Family name and given name: Standke, Rich. Born: 7 March 1925 Place of birth: Willgendorf District (Kreis): Goldberg Unit: 5. Komp. Verst. Panz. Gren. Ret. 1027. 5th Company, Replacement Panzer-Grenadier Regiment 1027 Replacement unit: (Handwritten, partly crossed out) Panzer-Grenadier Replacement Battalion (mot.) 51 Liegnitz St.Kp. (Stammkompanie) Grenadier Replacement Battalion 51 Rank: Grenadier (abbreviated “Gren.”) Date, time, place and type of loss: 22 February 1944, Apsilia (the place name is written as “Apsilia” – the spelling is uncertain) Nature of loss: Killed in action Recorded in loss lists: Handwritten: 3/2, Lp. No. 19