This is a very nice example of a early prewar Mauser K98 "Standard Model" rifle that was converted into a short side rail sniper rifle. These pre-war commercial standard models were the first true K98 style Mauser rifle that was the forerunner for all later wartime production rifles, and many were the early choice for conversions to short side rail snipers during the 1942 crisis on the Russian Front. It is has the large "Mauser Banner" logo on top of the front receiver ring with an unmarked rear bridge. The left side of the rear section of the barrel and receiver are both numbered "88104" followed by the small sideways "diamond" proof, followed by the prewar Crown over "B, U and G" commercial proofs along with the standard Crown over "N" firing proof. The top of the bolt also has the pre-war commercial "Crown over B" and "U" proofs. The rifle itself has all the early milled components such as the first pattern "H" front barrel with the correct wide lower barrel band introduced in 1934 with the milled trigger guard and floor plate. The barrel bands are unnumbered or proofed, and the trigger guard and floor plate are both correctly numbered to the rifle. The barrel is fitted with the standard tangent military rear sight and inverted "V" front sight. It is fitted with the correct late style pre-war Standard Model pattern stock with the finger grooves on the sides, flat butt plate, small take-down washer through the butt with the sling slot through the side of the buttstock (just like the early K98 military rifles). It is complete with an original WWII leather sling and cleaning rod. This early pre-war sniper rifle has been fitted with a short side rail style scope base with just the three large mounting screws (with no locking screws or taper pins as on the later style rifles) with the corresponding, large single lever scope mount. Both the mount and base are unnumbered or proofed, however they are the correct original prewar sniper scope mount/base style. The mount is fitted with a early commercial Hensoldt 4 power rifle scope that is marked on the left side of the body: "HENSOLDT WETZLAR/DIALYTAN 4X / 3529". It has a single post type reticle, and the elevation dial is correctly marked "1-8" for 100-800 meters.

Very fine condition with 85% of the early pre-war blued finish remaining overall with edge and high spot wear with thinning on the rear of the barrel and top of the receiver ring as well as the floor plate and trigger guard. The stock and hand guard are both in original condition showing numerous light scratches and pressure dents overall from actual field use and handling. The scope base, mount, and scope all retain 95% of the blue finish with clear optics. The rifle itself has matching numbers on all the various parts except the barrel bands as noted and the scope mount and base. A very nice looking early prewar short side rail sniper rifle.