Make: AS.FA Ankara, Turkey

Model: 1898 / 1938 Rework

Serial Number: 11493

Year of Manufacture: Circa, Early 1900s, 1940 Rework

Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)

Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine.

Markings: The top of the receiver has the Ankara rollmark with the rework date. All serialized parts are non-matched to the receiver. There are various small proofs throughout.

Barrel Length: 29”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a triangular post dovetailed to a raised base. The rear sight is a flip-up V-notch ladder sight marked out to 20.

Stock Configuration & Condition: This rifle has a two piece wood stock set with a end cap / bayonet lug, barrel band with a sling loop, through bolt, semi-pistol grip, bolt disassembly tool, straight comb, sling loop, with steel buttplate. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are small cracks forming at the front of the forend. There are small chips throughout. The LOP is 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stock rates in at about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refurbishment.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is pronounced. There is moderate erosion and faint pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. There is heavy thinning and moderate patina throughout which is normal for these rifles. The action has light wear. The screw heads are lightly tooled and the markings clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This Turkish AS.FA Ankara M1938 Gewehr 98 Rework, chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser, is a fascinating example of mid-20th-century arsenal rework practices, combining early German Gewehr 98 components with Turkish modifications to create a standardized infantry rifle. Originally built in the early 1900s, likely as a German G98, this rifle was later reworked at the Ankara arsenal in 1940 during Turkey’s large-scale program to standardize its small arms inventory. The M1938 configuration included re-chambering and rebarreling many older Mauser rifles into 8mm Mauser, along with updating sights, replacing worn parts, and often fitting new wood stocks. With its 29-inch barrel, this rifle retains the classic long rifle profile and is well-suited for long-range shooting typical of early 20th-century military doctrine. This rifle bears the AS.FA Ankara crest and rework date, with all parts non-matching, which is typical for these arsenal-reworked rifles. The two-piece wood stock shows wear consistent with military use, including pressure dents, scratches, small chips, and minor cracking near the forend, but remains solid and serviceable, rating in very good condition for its age. The ladder-style rear sight, graduated out to 2000 meters, and the triangular front post are standard features carried over from the G98 design, reinforcing the rifle’s long-range battlefield role. The bore is gray with defined rifling, showing moderate erosion and light pitting, and would likely benefit from further cleaning. The rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish, with heavy thinning and patina—common for these hard-used surplus rifles—but the mechanical function remains solid.

For military surplus collectors, Mauser enthusiasts, and historical firearms aficionados, this AS.FA M1938 rework represents a unique blend of German and Turkish small arms history. These rifles are a testament to the global legacy of the Mauser 98 action, having served in various forms across multiple nations and conflicts. While not a pristine collector’s piece, this rifle offers tremendous historical value, and its mechanical integrity and classic design make it both a worthy collectible and a potential shooter with proper maintenance. It's an excellent addition to any collection focused on early 20th-century military arms or Mauser evolution worldwide.