K98 Mauser “byf / 44” Mauser Rifle…….(f 766) SOLD

Superb Fully Matching “byf/44” K98 Mauser with new Lothar-Walther Barrel

It is not often that a dilemma like this one turns up.  Rare (these days! ) – a fully matching K98 but, its original barrel in a bit of a state.  Out of head space and soft with pitted rifling.  What to do?  Well, decided in the end, to re-barrel.  Those fine fellows at Lothar-Walther make a darn good, as new, replacement barrel in the latest high quality steel and in the original form and specification.  Look at it like this and its a no brainer, but, look at it in a dark grimy workshop with all the fun of separating the barrel from the receiver in front of you and its not an easy one to call.  It’s a bit of a trauma persuading a barrel that has been closely mated with its action since 1944, to simply part company.  It can be done but, patience and not very gentle persuasion have to be employed.  Finally, end result; A fully matching rifle, with its original markings; re-fitted to the outside of the new barrel and another 76 years of shooting ahead of you.  The original portion of the barrel which can be seen between the action and the rear sights, has been lifted from the old barrel and applied to the new, so all original markings have been preserved.

So, what we have here is an original K98 as used by the German forces of WW II in its original calibre with a brand new barrel.  Freshly proofed.  Chambered in 7.92mm x 57 with a 5-shot internal magazine which can be clip fed.  Standard Mauser bolt action with flag safety to rear.  Serial number “18385 f ” on LHS of receiver.  Clear Nazi Eagle adjacent to this marking.  Receiver marked with manufacturers code; “byf” and date of production “44.”  byf is the code for Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf.   On the RHS of the receiver is a single “135” waffenamt. This is repeated at the top of the receiver, right at the front.  The action sidewall is marked “Mod.98.”

Matching parts of the serial number then appear on other parts of the rifle.  The bolt stem bears the number “8385 f ” as do all the other usual components of the bolt.  The serial number also appears in full on the magazine floor plate as “18385”  The magazine floor plate and trigger guard are the correct pressed steel type without locking screws.  The last part of the number, minus the suffix is stamped into the pressed steel front band and milled mid-band.  “H” shaped Mauser bayonet lug and hooded front sight.

Standard rear sights graduated from 100 to 2000 yards.  Correct un-numbered laminated late war stock in superbly clean condition with small armoury repairs and cupped steel butt-plate.  ( the butt-plate is the only component from another rifle; it clearly carries the serial number of another rifle – “5512 e”  and the manufacturers code of “brg” )  Blued steel strip-down disc mounted in butt-stock.  Cleaning rod currently “as found” (or not, as the case may be! )

This is a spectacularly good looking K98 in fine condition with a brand new barrel ready for the range and a chance to see what they were really like when they first were issued.  A chance to see how your shooting compares to a fanatical 19 year old German youth in prime fitness and with eyes that had never seen a computer or television in his life!  Not a challenge at all really ! (Author is chuckling to himself now….)

Stock number  f 766

£ 1650. (SOLD)

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