Special to L. Neil Smith's The Libertarian Enterprise

YOU could WIN This Historic Israeli Freedom Tool

Enter and tell us why you'd like to own this beautiful, rare, and historic Mauser Karabiner 98.

A remarkable history

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Click here if you want to go directly to the contest rules or here to go directly to the detailed description of the rifle

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This rifle was born in 1940 in the factories of Nazi Germany. It was a tool of hatred and oppression. But eventually one of those particularly Jewish miracles possessed it.

Sometime late in that decade, after Hitler's evil was crushed, this rifle and others like it found their way to the hands of Jewish liberators in Palestine. The Jews of America and Britain paid to purchase the guns and smuggle them to their brothers and sisters in the Middle East, defying a British embargo. Most of the Mausers that found their covert way to Israel were Czechoslovakian. This rifle is one of the rare few remaining that were made for Hitler and transformed by Jews.

This very rifle might have fought battles for the Haganah, Irgun, Betar, or LEHI. Whichever liberation forces it served, it helped carve the nation of Israel out of chaos. This Mauser fought victoriously against the Five Great Arab Armies -- armies that were equipped by the governments of England and the Soviet Union. Eventually this weapon joined its brothers as both the official battle rifle and sniper rifle of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

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Tell us in 50 words or less why you want this historic firearm. See the contest rules below.

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It served faithfully through the 1970s, when it was retired. Even into the 1990s, Mauser Karabiner 98s like this one continued to protect Jews as sniper rifles of the Israeli Civilian Guard.

This rifle -- which you could soon hold in your own hands -- came through its battles in beautiful condition. Although it would make an impression hanging on a wall next to your personalized Certificate of History, it's no museum piece. It remains a sturdy, durable shooter that any gun owner or student of history would be proud to own.

Now it can be yours. Just tell us in 50 words or less why you want to own this remarkable piece of history. Send your brief statement along with an entry fee. Enter as many times as you like; there are discounts for multiple entries. The more you enter, the better your chances that one of your statements will be chosen by the contest judges.

Eventually, this Mauser could become one of your most proud possessions. See the contest details below.

About this rifle

• The firearm TZP is offering is a Mauser Karabiner 98 Kurz.
• It was made in Nazi Germany and carries a date stamp of 1940.
• Most of the original Nazi markings were ground out and proudly replaced with the IDF markings. One German arsenal proof mark remains.
• It has been converted from from the original German 7.92x57mm Mauser caliber to 7.62x51mm NATO, as all the IDF Mausers were. Both the receiver and the stock are marked 7.62 to make that clear.
• When Jewish armorers prepared these weapons, they disassembled and reassembled them en masse. And they had to work with whatever parts they could scrabble together. Many of the rifles, including this one, eventually included parts from multiple firearms.
• We consider the quality and finish on this rifle to be remarkable, possibly NRA Excellent. But judge yourself from our photos.
• TZP president Brad Alpert says, "The wood is dark and straight-grained and very consistent. The metal is clean, with some wear but 95%+ intact. The bore looks absolutely fine."
• The rifle will come with a Certificate of History, personalized with your name and suitable for framing.

Rules

• You must be of legal age to enter and you must be legally eligible to own a firearm. The competition is open to U.S. residents only.
• To enter, use our online form below to tell us in 50 words or less why you want to own this historic weapon. Each entry must be accompanied by a $10 entry fee.
• We encourage you to enter as many times as you like. There are discounts for multiple entries and the more you submit, the better the chance that one of your entries will be chosen by the judges.
• You may pay via PayPal online. If you don't wish to pay online, you may send your entry fees to the address on the entry form.
• Every statement you submit should be different. The differences may be minor or major; that choice is yours. You can write as little as a single sentence -- whatever you think makes your point.
• Entries will be judged on sincerity and passion more than on grammar or style, so don't worry if you're not a writing genius. Statements can be plain or fancy. If several entries are tied, grammar and style may determine the final winner, but otherwise it's the thought that counts.
• Once we have received a total of 300 entries, a panel of TZP volunteers will choose the winner.
• The first-place winner will receive the rifle and Certificate of History; second- and third- place winners will receive merchandise from the TZP store.
• There is no fixed end-date for this competition. We will start the judging when 300 entries are in hand.
• The rifle will be shipped to an FFL of the winner's choice in the winner's home state. TZP will pay shipping, but the winner is responsible for the receiving FFL's fees.
• In the event that the winner turns out to be a prohibited person or otherwise unable to receive a firearm, the prize will be awarded to the second-place finisher and the entry fee for the original winning statement will be refunded.
• Questions? Please use our online contact form to ask.

Click here now to make a single entry.

Click here now to enter three or more times. Remember, you can enter as many times as you like! The more you enter, the better your chances of winning!

Carl Bussjaeger is the author of Net Assets, Bargaining Position, The Anarchy Belt, and more. See www.bussjaeger.org for more information