“byf / 44” Kriegsmodell K98k…………….(F 847) Sold

Superb, Fully matching and correct K98k Kriegsmodell

This rifle really stands up to close scrutiny – a real serious German Mauser collectors (or shooter’s) dream.  All components are fully matching as they should be.  This is the model where Mauser Oberndorf were the first factory to implement and start building this war-time, slightly more basic version, of the famous K98k.  It can most easily be told apart from its older relatives, by the absence of the bayonet lug and the use of steel welded furniture at the muzzle end.  It has the familiar laminated stock and a pressed steel trigger guard and floor-plate.  Despite those main changes it is still the same deadly, highly reliable rifle it always was.  It still had to be able to pull of a head shot at 300 meters through open sights.

By its condition I can only imagine a G.I. wandering into an arms store or factory and picking up a nice souvenir, to take home to, “show the folks back home!”  On very close examination it appears un-fired.  The bore is immaculate. ( Having fitted Lothar-Walther barrels to the same rifles, it is very difficult to spot any significant signs of usage.)  It has a perfect four grove bore.  (Unlike the Americans and Canadians, the Germans did not reduce the amount of groves within their barrels as a war expedient.)  The laminated stock shows virtually NO damage, scrapes or dents. It even has the mildest indications of the fact that the production process had dropped the final stages of stock finishing, in that the mildest rasp or file marks are visible if you look really carefully about the wrist.

Chambered in 8mm Mauser (7.92 x 57) with a five shot internal magazine.  Mauser flag safety bolt system.  Serial number “29675 l”  The “l” is mentioned in Mauser records as all of this suffix were deemed “Kriegsmodell.”  The serial number is marked on the LHS of the round, blued receiver.  The crest of the same is marked with the manufacturers code “byf /44” (date of production.)  Adjacent to the serial number is a large, clear, full-winged Eagle waffenamt. Just above the point where the barrel screws in to the receiver, is a small “waffenamt /135” marking which is correct for this factory.  On the RHS of the receiver are two more less distinguishable “135” markings waffenamts. The model designation “Mod.98” is clearly marked on the outer LHS wall of the action.

The bolt is clearly marked in all the usual places with the matching serial number, or portions of it.  The flag safety is devoid of markings as is the bolt release catch.  The barrel is marked with an unknown barrel markers code; the visible part reads; “0887” but, it has been passed with a “135” waffenamt. The trigger guard and magazine floorplate do not carry the serial number, this is correct practice at this stage in the conflict as time was becoming tight. However, they do have the correct “byf” code upon them and are correctly constructed of folded stamped steel.  They also bare the correct “135” waffenamt again.  Another significant omission are the keeper screws on the stock bolts which secure the trigger guard.

As mentioned earlier the bayonet front end of the fore-end shows the most changes from standard production.  Reports from the front had eluded to the lack of use the bayonet lug was getting and also the non-necessity of the cleaning rod. Both were dropped and a far easier to produce, steel welded assembly, was provided along with a plain flat piece of steel to fill the gap at the front of the for-end, known as the Abdeckblech.  In the end the band spring was also dropped as the components were simply attached using plain wood screws. Even the forward sling mount / mid-band is of the same construction and is fixed in the same way.  None of those parts are serial numbered, which is correct.

The front sight is hooded.  The rear sight is as normal but is plain on the rear face and not numbered.  It is graduated from 200 to 2000 meters. The stock still retains the strip-down bolt disk which would soo be replaced with a simple drilling through the cupped steel butt-plate.  The butt-stock also retains the transverse slot through which the side mounted leather sling would attach.  The laminated semi-pistol grip stock is unmarked apart from a single stamped Waffenamt Eagle over “WaA135” on the RHS just behind the bolt strip-down disc.

Condition wise this rifle is in top 100% fine condition.  There is no hint of refinishing.  All the blueing is strong and un blemished.  There is little appreciable edge wear, even upon the bolt body.  The feed ramp inside shows no wear and the bolt face still blued. The rifle actually appears unissued! Which, for a war-time K98 is a very unusual and rare situation considering the average condition of most war-time weapons.  The bore is immaculate; shiny, bright, sharp and deep.  What else can be said.  Serious buyers must see this to appreciate it.  Also comes with rubber muzzle cap / protector.

Yet to be proofed at this stage.

Stock No’ F 847

 £ Sold

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