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This article was originally published in the KCN in their July 1990 newsletter as:
The Sauer K98k
Written by Bob Jensen and edited by peter kuck 06/11/2002

J.P. Sauer & Sohn was one of the oldest gun makers in Germany. Sauer had made Gew. 98 rifles for Imperial
Germany in WW I. Their line of' pocket pistols were well known throughout the world and had been widely
used by the German military and police forces of the 20th century.

After the end of the First World War Sauer continued in the firearms business, and thus was ideally suited to be
one of the prime contractors for the new German K98k rifle. When German re-armament began in 1933, Sauer
was assigned the manufacturer's code “S/147”, and their initial production was dated with the letter code "K"
for the year 1934.

Sauer K98k’s had a deep commercial blue finish up until 1941 and often displayed a two-toned (blue in front--
plum color in the rear) coloration on the receiver ring which was caused by the hardening process used only by
Sauer.

The Sauer “S/147K” marking appeared on the right side of the receiver ring and in small letters rather than on
the top of the receiver. The known serial number range for this variation is from 478 to 7656, with an
estimated production of less than 10,000 rifles (making it a rare variation). The first Sauer K98k rifles used a
different barrel band retention system then Mauser. Sauer used two separate springs pinned into the stock,
(the spring on the right side of the stock retained the front band and the spring on the left side of the stock,
which faced rearward, retained the rear band). This system was used into the “a" serial number range of the
Sauer “G” date K98k rifles. All other subsequent K98k production used a single band spring inlayed into the
right side of the stock between the front and rear bands.

"K" date stocks and handguards were made from solid walnut. Weimar type eagles were
used for proofing and Waffenamts “49”, “114”, “115”, and “116” were used. All parts were
milled and every part was numbered to the rifle including the cleaning rod. All known
examples were issued to the Heer (army) but a great many can be found with “R.F.V.”
marked deeply into the buttplate.

The 1935 “S/147/G” date Sauer K98k has three variations based on the code and date locations and size. The
first variation is a continuation of the “K” date marking standard with a small “S/147/G” marking on the right
side of the receiver ring. The second variation (starting in the mid "b" serial number range) moves that small
“S/147/G” marking from the right side of the receiver ring to the top of the receiver ring.
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The Third variation occurs in mid “c” serial number range. Large size letters and numbers replace the smaller
sized markings. The first 12,000 rifles produced (approximation) in 1935 continued to use the unique two-band
spring system of the "K" date Sauer 98K rifle before changing to the Mauser system. Stocks and handguards
remained solid walnut. Weimar type eagles remained in use and Waffenamt numbers used were “114”, “116”,
“214”, and “359”. All known examples are “H” branch of service stamped (army). The known serial number
range is from 520 to 6889 for an estimated production run of 80,000 rifles. All metal parts are milled and
numbered to match the rifle.

It is interesting to note that both the "K" and "G" date Sauer rifles lacked the “Mod 98” on the siderail.

1936 Sauer “S/147” production follows the standards set in 1935, with solid walnut stocks and handguards
and all metal parts milled and numbered to match the rifle. Weimar type eagles and waffanamt numbers
“118”, “214”, and “359” continue to be used. These rifles have flat buttplates, 10 inch cleaning rods, and are
all army (Heer) issued. The known serial number range is from 72 to 8533t, with an estimated production run
of 210,000 rifles. The “Mod.98” legend was added to the siderail in the middle of the “c” serial number
range.

“S/147” rifles started to use laminate stocks and handguards in 1937. All
parts continued to be milled and numbered to match the rifle. Weimar
eagles appear exclusively in the proofing until the "d” range when Nazi
eagles began to appear in conjunction with the earlier Weimar type. The
Nazi eagles are used for the firing proofs on the barrel and bolt and as the
final assembly and acceptance proof on the right side of the receiver ring.
Waffenamt numbers are now “214” and “359”. The entire year's
production appears to have gone to the Army. The known serial number
range is from 4864b to 8475r, with an estimated production run of 190,000
rifles.

In 1938 the “S/147” code was changed “147”. The known serial number range of the “S/147” coded rifle is
from 1129 to 9849i. The known serial number range of the “147” coded rifle is from 9663g to 431s. There
was a combined total production run of 195,000 rifles. Weimar and Nazi type eagles continue to appear
together. Waffenamt numbers continue to be “214” and “359”. The entire year's production appears to have
gone to the Army. Solid Walnut stocks and handguards continue to be the norm but the use of laminate
stocks continues to grow. All metal parts continue to be milled and numbered to match the rifle.

During 1939 the Weimar type eagle was phased out. It appears that by the “k" serial number range Nazi style
eagles were being exclusively used. The Waffenamt numbers changed to “37” and “359”.
Stocks and handguards were almost all made of laminate. Sauer produced stocks can not
only be identified by their “214” and “37” waffenamts and also by the use of a smaller
diameter bolt takedown washer in the buttstock. Sauer made K98k's also use smaller
sized proof eagles (as compared to those used by the other manufacturer) on both the
barrels and the receivers. All metal parts continue to be milled and numbered to match
the rifle, and a l2.5 inch-cleaning rod replaced the 10-inch cleaning rod. Flat Buttplates continue to be used.
The known serial number range is from 2106 to 9278t for an estimated production run of 210,000 rifles.
Contract barrels begin to appear, (i.e. “Geco”, “exn”, and “bys” are known examples). ” The entire year's
production appears to have gone to the Army.
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The production standards used for the 1940 “147” code K98k were the same as those used for 1939.
Waffenamts “37” and “359” continued to be used and a few waffenamt “280” proofs can be found on parts
such as the safeties, firing pins, and bolt sleeves. Stocks and handguards are exclusively made of laminates and
still use flat buttplates. The known serial number range is from 1987a to 5209v with an
estimated production run of 230,000 rifles. The entire year's production appears to have
gone to the Army with the exception of the Swedish Model 40 rifles. (The Swedish
Model 40 Mauser rifle made by Sauer only differs in that it uses the more powerful
Swedish 8 x 63 machinegun round and also uses a muzzle brake to compensate for the
heavier recoil of this cartridge. These rifles were sent to Sweden as partial payment for
iron ore and ball bearings).

In 1941 the Sauer production code changed from “147” to a script “ce”. The
script used has fooled some neophytes into believing that they have a rifle
with a previously unknown code. Cupped buttplates were introduced to help
prevent the de-lamination of rifle buttstocks, along with a sheet metal front
sight hood. Sauer began to use ” bys” and “dfb” barrels and magazine
followers which have a waffenamt “214”. Waffenamt numbers “37” and
“359” continue to be used on most parts. All metal parts continue to be
milled and numbered to match the rifle. 1941 was the last year that external
proofs and serial numbers appear on the bottom spine of the stock. The
known serial number range is from 1005 to 613v for an estimated
production run of 225,000 rifles. For the first time Sauer produced rifles for the Luftwaffe (these rifles will
have a Luftamt on the barrel). Sauer also supplied receivers to Erma-Erfurt in 1941 (look for “ax” coded
receivers with script Mod.98 siderail markings.

The 1942 Sauer K98k has two variations based on the manufacturing code. The slanted Script “ce” was
changed to a vertical script in th "n" serial number range. The waffenamt "280" as a final acceptance proof
appeared on the right side of the receiver ring in the “p” serial number range, and the use of subcontract
buttplates (“gqm”). It appears that when the shape of the code letters was changed the style of the Mod.98 on
the siderail was also changed from block to script letters (it is not known if both changes occurred at the same
time). Stocks are branch of service marked (Heer) the known serial number range is from 3139 to 3339s,
with an estimated production run of 195.000 rifles.

In 1943 the Sauer K98k again had two variations based on the manufacturing code. The shape of the “ce”
code was changed from the 1942 style block letter script “ce” to a simple block letter “ce”. This change took
place toward the end of the “b" serial number range so the first approximately 30,000 rifles have the script “ce”
and the remainder of the year’s production has the block letter “ce”. 1943 was the peak year of production for
the Sauer firm's K98k's as the known serial number range runs from 8216 to 6567gg, with an estimated
production run of 340,000 rifles (this is the only year Sauer got into double letter suffix numbers). Weffenamt
numbers used were “37”, “359”, and “280”. All milled parts (including speed milled front bands) were
numbered to match the rifle. Stamped bands first appear in the 'bb" serial number range and they are also
numbered to the rifle

You will be able to find Sauer assembled 1943 Mauser Borsigwalde “ar” coded rifles. They will have
Waffenamt “280” and “37” final assembly proofs. Another oddity is 1943 “ce” coded receivers with 135
Waffenamt numbers (a case of Sauer receivers which were sent to Mauser Oberndorf for assembly into
complete K98k's)
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1944 was the last year Sauer made K98k's. The 1944 rifle featured the use of stamped bands, trigger-guards,
and followers. The known serial number range is from 1169 to 7309u,
with an estimated production run of 220,000 rifles. The notable variation
was the appearance of a small number of “ce” 44 rifles with the so-called
machine gun barrel. The “bcd” 4 rifles with MG barrel are well known but
the use of them by Sauer is much less recognized. The barrels on these
rifles have three rings milled around the barrel. The purpose of these
rings was to collect and trap powder residue before it could collect and
perhaps cause a machine gun Jam. who supplied these barrels and what
they are is still unknown. They are a rare variation, especially, the on a
Sauer rifle. Waffenamt numbers remained “37”, “359”, and “280”.

No one knows why there were no Sauer rifles were made in 1945. The presumption is that the approaching
Eastern Front and the location of the Sauer plants in Suhl forced an early evacuation of the area. Perhaps the
plant was dismantled for shipment to the West or it was destroyed by the Germans to prevent its capture by the
Russians.
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1941 ce by Sauer
In 1941 Sauer manufactured 225,000 K98k rifles

Proofing & serial numbers (sample rifle 1941ce)

Receiver code ce (41) in script receiver proofs waf 359(1) waf 37(2) on side)

Side rail blank

Serial number 4 digits possible alpha suffix

Upper band s/n (4) waf 37 milled H

Lower band s/n (4) waf 37

Trigger guard s/n waf 37(2) milled with lock screws

Bolt ribbed & blued

Root rear firing proof top s/n underside waf 37
Gas shield s/n (4) waf 37
Safety s/n (4) waf 37
Cocking piece s/n (4) waf 37
Extractor s/n (2) waf 37
Extractor collar no s/n waf 37

Front sight hood waf 37

Rear sight meter scale both sides s/n (4) waf 359

Rear sight base s/n (4) waf 359

Stock Laminate

Stock Markings (external reported only)

Side waf WaA37 & “H”
Pistol grip waf WaA37
Spine s/n (4) waf WaA37 (2)

Bayonet lug s/n waf 623

Floor Plate s/n (2) waf 37

Magazine follower s/n (1) waf 37
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1944 ce by Sauer
The early 1944 variant.

Proofing & serial numbers (sample rifle ce 44)

receiver code ce (44) receiver proofs waf 280 (1) (on side) waf 37 (1) (on top)

side rail Mod. 98 (mod in script)

Serial number 4 digits possible alpha suffix (s/n 92–d)

upper band s/n no waf speed milled

lower band s/n on bottom of band no waf stamped

Trigger guard s/n (4 digits) no waf milled with lock screws

Bolt ribbed & blued

root rear firing proof top s/n no waf
gas shield s/n (4) no waf
safety s/n (4) no waf
cocking piece s/n (4) no waf
extractor s/n (2) no waf
extractor collar no waf

front sight hood no waf

rear sight meter scale one side s/n waf 280

rear sight base s/n waf 280

Stock Laminate (reddish hue)

Stock Markings (external reported only)

side Eagle H
pistol grip no marks
Spine Waf unreadable

bayonet lug no s/n waf e

Magazine follower no s/n Waf unreadable stamped

Floor Plate s/n (4) no Waf milled