1945 dot k98?

[fullm3taljacket]

I know of a k98 for sale with a code of "dot" but a date of 1945 on the receiver. From my research this rifle should not exist, as the latest "dot" code is late 1944, unless they dated the receiver months after it's manufacture. What say y'all?

Information

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[UNPROFOR1994]

I think that all dot 45 rifles are postwar Czech manufactured.

[Calif-Steve]

A receiver held back for some reason. But more likely a post-war rifle.

[fullm3taljacket]

All,

Thanks for your input, just didn't know what to think since I couldn't find much info in my relatively quick research.

[gtodan]

This article was originally published in the
KCN
in their December 1990 newsletter as:
The “dot” coded K98k. Waffenwerke Brunn. AG Brunn
Written by Robert Jensen as edited by Peter Kuck 06/10/2002

Although “dot” coded 1945-dated K98k rifles are encountered none that Bob Jensen has seen are WW II
assembled rifles. They often exhibit Waffenamt “63” acceptance proof stamps on barrels and receivers showing that
those parts were WW II era but all are post-war made or assembled rifles. These can be identified by Czech
Rampant Lion acceptance proofs. These proofs can be found on the left rear of the barrel, the left side of the
receiver ring, and on the rear of the bolt stem in place of the German waffenamt proof. They will also have a capital
letter suffix in place of a lower case letter. German WW II “dot” 45 K98ks are possible since “dot” coded 1945
dated receivers exist.
In 1945 the “dot” code was changed to “swp”, the date was changed to a two digits date and placed in line
with the “swp” code. The “Mod.98” marking was moved from the siderail to the top of the receiver ring above
“swp45”. Stocks and handguards were laminate. Generally these stocks have bayonet lugs but are not drilled for
cleaning rods. Some have branch of service marks--always H for the Army. Others have the “dot” marks while
others have no markings. Final acceptance proofs remain Waffenamt “63” usually two on the right side of the
receiver ring. Metal parts are stamped and unnumbered and can be either blue or phosphate finish. Occasionally
“dou” coded barrels were used but most barrels have the “dot” shield marking. Between
the 70000a and 95000a serial number range some “swp45” rifles have a very unique
sheet metal rear sight assembly which appears nowhere else on K98k rifles. The rear
sight is a simple sheet metal affair and is set for 100 meters. This rifle is the most
desirable of the entire “dot” coded rifles because of rarity. Most “swp45” rifles found
today are post-war reworks, pure WW II examples are rare. The known serial number
range is from 43023a to 94091a and apparently a continuation of the last serial number
variation of the “dot” 1944 rifles. The estimated production is 51,000 rifles.
Addenda
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 7:43:18 PM Posted -
Pisgah
Outstanding article
It pretty well sums up what to expect on a Bruenn manufactured rifle.
The only thing I take issue with is the order that Mr. Jensen lists the serial number
progression for dot 1944. IMO it went from 1-9999z, 1aa-7333aw, 1-99999, 1a-43125a. I
can't tell if he was simply listing the different numbering systems randomly or actually
thought that the no letter block five digit numbering came before the double letter suffix
four digit rifles. He doesn't mention any timeline for when the five digit numbering started (I
believe that it started at the beginning of 1945) or likelihood that dot 1944's and swp 45's
were both part of the same five digit serial number run. I think its a bit too much of a
cooincidence that dot 1944 five digit rifles ended at app. the number where swp 45's were
known to have started. With the advent of five digit serial numbers I have wondered if
Bruenn (and Gustloff) started the five digit production runs with the number 10000 (instead
of 1) in order to not produce two rifles with identical codes, years and serial numbers (1-
9999 and 1a-9999a had already been produced in early 1944). One could always count on
the KCN for good articles. The articles and the Kollector's Klassifieds are two of the things I
have missed the most since the KCN went away