The K98k (Karabiner 98k) rifle has been a common sight in the United States as a hunting rifle or family heirloom. After the close of the Second World War, some of the rifles that were produced in Germany began to make their way out of the country and at the same time copies were made in other countries due to the rifle’s impressive performance with the Wehrmacht. One such rifle made its way into the hands of a hunter in Madison Wisconsin who unfortunately had his rifle stolen sometime in 1973.

Lost and Found: Stolen K98k Returned After 47 Years

Lost and Found: Stolen K98k Returned After 47 Years

Nearly 500 miles away and 47 years later, a detective in Circleville, Ohio discovered the stolen rifle and contacted the Madison Police Department who proceeded to attempt to reach out to the previous owner. Unfortunately, the original owner of the rifle had sadly passed away in 1998.

Lost and Found: Stolen K98k Returned After 47 Years

The crime originally took place at the 200 block of South Baldwin Street where the rifle was stolen from the owner’s 1966 GMC pickup. The rifle was hidden under a blanket when the 41-year-old victim unknowingly had his bolt-action rifle stolen from him. The Circleville, Ohio police department was able to determine that the rifle was stolen by matching up the serial number of the discovered weapon with a reported serial number of a stolen weapon several decades earlier.

Lost and Found: Stolen K98k Returned After 47 Years

The Madison Police Department stated that although the original owner had passed away: “However, his children are still alive, and are being contacted 47 years after their dad reported the crime.” The family is sure to be ecstatic to have a piece of their family history back.

Lost and Found: Stolen K98k Returned After 47 Years

The bolt-action rifle was used during WWII as the main armament of the Armed forces of Germany. The Mauser produced K98k was and still is in service with the German Bundeswehr mainly for military parades and shows. The rifle uses the 7.62x57mm Mauser cartridge and feeds from a 5 round internal magazine.