This is an example of an early pre-WWII K98 rifle manufactured by the J.P. Sauer & Sohns factory that was converted into a double claw type sniper rifle. This exact rifle is pictured in the book: "Sniper Variations" by Richard Law on page 124 and is from the well known Jeff Sturgess Collection in Switzerland. The rifle is marked on the receiver ring with "S/147/G" indicating manufacture at the J. P. Sauer factory in 1935. It was later upgraded with a new barrel that is marked "GEICO" "39/Ru/344" indicating the barrel was manufactured in 1939/40. The side of the barrel is correctly numbered to the receiver and has a partial small Nazi eagle firing proof followed by a partial "Death's Head/SS" proof in front of the receiver. The rifle is currently fitted with a set of double claw commercial scope bases that have the crosshatched checkering on top. The front base was installed by cutting a dovetail through the front receiver ring and the rear base was installed on top of the rear bridge. The scope itself is marked with only "EBRA/4X" on top of the turret and it is fitted with a set of semicircular, scope rings that have been soldered on to the scope tube. The turret does not have the typical range calibration marks, nor does it carry any German military marks. The rifle is fitted with the early type components such as the milled trigger guard/floor plate and barrel bands and all are serial numbered "3610" to match the rifle. It has a standard wartime bolt assembly that does not match the rifle (serial number 7621c). It has also been fitted with a laminated rifle stock with a flat buttplate. The stock is numbered "3610/byf" on the underside behind the pistol grip and has a partially visible Waffenamt proof in the same area. It is complete with an original cleaning rod. There is a small import mark (SIMPSON LTD GBURG IL) present on the lower left side of the receiver ring.

Fair, with traces of the arsenal blue finish still remaining only in the protected area with extensive patches of deep pitting, the remaining exposed metal surfaces having a gray patina finish. The stock and handguard are both in good condition showing numerous scratches, light pressure dents and dings overall with some heavier wear and dark spots on the underside toe area. The scope also retains 70% of it blued finish overall with spotting of the blue and minor spots or light rust, overall. The optics are clear and sharp. There are several areas of heavy pitting on the exposed metal surfaces; the top of the exposed front section of the barrel and front barrel band, the top area of the rear sight, rear edge of the front receiver ring and the face of the buttplate. An interesting early WWII sniper rifle that shows considerable wartime use.