Erfurt Karabiner 98 1908/14 Pattern 8mm Mauser Bolt-Action Rifle – 1915 Production, 1920 Property Mark, Matching Numbers
Built at the Imperial German arsenal in Erfurt in 1915, this Karabiner 98 1908/14 short rifle carries both the wartime crown-over-ERFURT marking and the post-war "1920" property stamp, confirming continued service with the early Reichswehr. Limited Erfurt production, a still-crisp Lange-Visier rear sight, and matching serial number 6067 on the major components make this piece an appealing example for Mauser collectors who value documented history and originality.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – Shows extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean with some residue and slight corrosion; rifling is worn with reduced definition.
Specific Notes: The walnut/beech stock has been reshaped, and rust with scattered pitting is visible on exposed metal. Despite exterior wear, the action cycles smoothly, and all primary parts retain matching serial numbers.
What’s Included
- Erfurt Karabiner 98 1908/14 Pattern rifle in 8mm Mauser
Produced during the heart of World War I, this rifle represents one of the later Erfurt-made short rifles before the arsenal shifted focus. The crown-over-ERFURT 1915 receiver ring and the overstamped “1920” property mark trace the firearm’s official journey from Imperial service to the inter-war German army.
The rifle retains its 23.25-inch barrel, wing-style three-position safety, and five-round internal magazine typical of the Mauser action. The rust-blue finish shows honest field wear but preserves markings that remain legible and desirable for historical study.
Its half-length handguard and stock carry classic Kar 98 features—grasping grooves, a left-side sling slot, a takedown disc, and a bayonet lug—illustrating the practical refinements of the 1908/14 pattern. Although the stock was later reshaped, key structural details are intact.
Sights are the original hoodless inverted-V front flanked by protective ears and the Lange-Visier tangent rear sight graduated from 300 to 2000 meters, underscoring the rifle’s military intent. The matching-numbered bolt, receiver, and barrel boost collectibility by confirming the rifle’s factory integrity.
Collectors seeking a documented WWI-era Mauser that continued into Weimar service will appreciate the rarity of Erfurt production numbers, the clear dual-era markings, and the preservation of core mechanical function in this historically significant arm.