The Fourth Horseman
12-12-2001, 02:04 PM
Walked into local shop...was drivin by and thought what the hell.
Saw a M48...$199...and a 98k turned so I couldn't recognize any markings or see the price. Not a laminated stock, it had a walnut stock (don't think it was birch, too dark) I asked how much...$159...ok lemme see it.
Odd thing. BNZ 42...all waffenampts intact. No import mark that I could see. Barrel, reciever sights match. The bolt was well marked, completely matched to itself...but restamped to match the rifle. Bore was as I could see it g-vg. There was some crap down inside, but looked as if it 'should' clean up fine.
Two odd things...the barrel was belgian proofed and had a fixed hexagonal post instead of the cleaning rod. After some thought and haggling, he came down to $150 on the rifle and would throw in some bandoleers of Turk ammo. Since it was an impulse stop...I was unprepared, and not enough time to get to the bank...plus I wanted to save cash for the show this weekend at Atlanta Trade Center. So I put it on Layaway for the time being. I'll pick it up next week if I don't spend all of my money there.
Came back and check my records. The French had made some SVW and SVP 98k in the French occupation area post war for a short time on German machinery. Hex stacking hook, solid wood stock...stated they may have refurbished some wartime rifles also. Issued to W. German border patrol and some french units including F Foreign Legion. But that still doesn't explain the Belgian proof marks though, unless the French gave some to Belgium for issue until the FN49 came out. Hmmm. Once I get the rifle, further examination of rifle and proofs might bear out more of the history
Don't know if it has much collectors value, but I think it at least might be a 'true' piece (meaning everything correct based on it's background)...worst case...it's a nice wartime production shooter.
Have not seen many French Models around in a while of collecting. Any idea how few or many around?
Comments? Flames? Interjections?
Saw a M48...$199...and a 98k turned so I couldn't recognize any markings or see the price. Not a laminated stock, it had a walnut stock (don't think it was birch, too dark) I asked how much...$159...ok lemme see it.
Odd thing. BNZ 42...all waffenampts intact. No import mark that I could see. Barrel, reciever sights match. The bolt was well marked, completely matched to itself...but restamped to match the rifle. Bore was as I could see it g-vg. There was some crap down inside, but looked as if it 'should' clean up fine.
Two odd things...the barrel was belgian proofed and had a fixed hexagonal post instead of the cleaning rod. After some thought and haggling, he came down to $150 on the rifle and would throw in some bandoleers of Turk ammo. Since it was an impulse stop...I was unprepared, and not enough time to get to the bank...plus I wanted to save cash for the show this weekend at Atlanta Trade Center. So I put it on Layaway for the time being. I'll pick it up next week if I don't spend all of my money there.
Came back and check my records. The French had made some SVW and SVP 98k in the French occupation area post war for a short time on German machinery. Hex stacking hook, solid wood stock...stated they may have refurbished some wartime rifles also. Issued to W. German border patrol and some french units including F Foreign Legion. But that still doesn't explain the Belgian proof marks though, unless the French gave some to Belgium for issue until the FN49 came out. Hmmm. Once I get the rifle, further examination of rifle and proofs might bear out more of the history
Don't know if it has much collectors value, but I think it at least might be a 'true' piece (meaning everything correct based on it's background)...worst case...it's a nice wartime production shooter.
Have not seen many French Models around in a while of collecting. Any idea how few or many around?
Comments? Flames? Interjections?