I bought this at a yard sale, but I know absolutely nothing about old military rifles. Regardless of my ignorance, I still think it's a cool rifle, even as is. it's rough but seems to function as it should.

One thing that I do know is that it's going to need a stock. It needs one because I want to shoot it. I didn't say a new stock because I would like to find something like the one that's on it now.

When I bought it, the stock was held together with glue, a couple screws, and a radiator hose clamp, all wrapped up with wide masking tape. I had no idea how it looked until I peeled the tape, but I knew it was going to be bad because I could feel the hose clamp. As you can see, I haven't started cleaning or anything yet. I was going to wait and break it down when I get a stock.

Heck, I'm not even sure that I know what ammo to buy for it.

I'm looking for answers and/or suggestions about where to buy a stock, what ammo, specifically which model it is, year of manufacture, approximate value (although I have no plans to sell it), and any other relevant info about it. I can take and post more pics if needed. I'm not even sure which # is the serial #. I'm thinking that the 8564 on the receiver and barrel, but if so is that an unusually low serial #?

I am Mauser illiterate but congrats on the new rifle.

German Mauser model 1898, Karabiner, or K98, manufactured in Erfurt Germany in 1918. A lot of these guns were reworked from
WWI. Some were sent to Poland after WWII as reparations or something. The stock has been cut down. Missing the top hand guard too, which a lot of guns were treated to as a cheap sporterization. The bolt, receiver, and bottom metal should all have the same serial number. Being reworked, it may be they have new numbers stamped. 8x57 or 8mm Mauser is the ammo. You may want to have it checked before you attempt to shoot it if the major parts do not have the same number stamped. Some were assembled from parts and headspace may be off.

The 1920 may be a rework serial number, or the year it was refurbed. The 7,91 is the caliber, officially 7.92x57, termed 8mm Mauser or 8x57 by SAAMI. The other marks are proof marks.

Good info from odocoileus
Yeah check that bolt number matches receiver and your good to go on headspace .if not have it checked by gunsmith or buy headspace gauges.even if they don't match a lot where force matched when rearsenaled but still needs checking with gauges.they would throw parts in a pile and rebuild with best parts that would headspace and alot of times not renumber parts as matching ie force matched
Find you a 98k stock and you just made a bunch on money👍 or cool collectors piece.Bad thing 98k stocks are very high now.check out liberty tree,sarco, e-bay and places like that.
I'd check barrel for pitting on inside and under the wood stock and to see how strong rifling is also before I did much with it.
At worst you would have a action for building a rifle but some 98k rifles had poor heat treat so I check interwebs first if I went that route a lot of good info on those rifles.if you did decide it was an action with poor heat treat but you had interest in building a rifle out of it I'd try and research if it's strong enough.i believe some of the pre kar 98 rifles where small ring actions also.either way might make a nice 6.5 Swede or 7mm Mauser and Keep pressures down on loads
Unfortunately not a lot of gunsmiths want to fool with turning down bolt handles or welding bolt handles like they used to and then it would need to be drilled and tapped for scope bases.

What I know without calling my expert buddy.lol I can't remember this crap like he can
It's appears to be earlier model than my two.mine are WW2 rifles

You’re right on the gunsmith thing. I’ve got a 1944 Oberndorf that was semi sporterized to 270 Winchester. Old aftermarket stock hairline cracked at the wrist. It wears an old Lyman receiver peep sight, and original safety, and even the grunt proofing to remind you it was out of ammo. Inquired about having it scoped and all and realized I was about to have a bunch of money in an old rifle that was perfectly fine as is. Plenty enough accurate to take a deer if I wanted so left it alone. Reminds me I need to get it out. This may be an open sight rifle year for me while I’m young and able. It, a Siamese Mauser 45-70 convert with mannlicher stock, and 1951 336A 35 Rem need to get some action.

As for value, all originals or original reworks seem to be anywhere from 300-700 depending on originality and condition. I’d find a decent sporter stock for it, go get some cheap (or used to be) surplus ammo, and have fun. Most surplus stuff is corrosive primed so keep that in mind. Buddy had one back in the late 2000s, and I could get 20 rounds surplus ammo for about $6. We burned through a pile of it plinking.

Thanks for the info. I feel 600% better informed than I did when I posted. I know there's still a lot to learn about it though but I knew virtually nothing pre-post. I don't remember the # on the bolt matching but will check this evening.

if the headspace is good, the bore good, restock it, and shoot it. great round for deer. PRVI makes good hunting ammo ...

if you are anywhere near me (south montgomery county) i can check the headspace for you ...

I do have some of the PRVI ammo for my 25.06 and 7rem mag. I like it pretty well so far although I haven't shot anything other than a target. As far as location, I'm up North of Gadsden a few miles so I'll probably carry it to Danny at Sand Mountain Shooters Club for the headspace check. He's only a mile or so from here. Thanks for the offer.

aye, muncher ...