My First K98 Mauser

[Calif-Steve]

You are right about the Circle Z being on these rifles. HOWEVER, this rifle has no German proofs. It does have a Circle Z stamping. Perhaps a 1945 rifle might not have proofs, but I doubt the Germans would have let it out the door that way in 1944. Perhaps a 1944 set-aside receiver? Perhaps a factory second receiver? I am guessing that all good quality 1944 production went off to war ASAP. Just not sure about this one. Interesting rifle for sure.

[jmoore]

HOWEVER, this rifle has no German proofs.

Waffenampts don't count?

[Jason60chev]

This article that I posted a link to earlier, http://www.ycgg.org/pdfpages/ww2/dou.pdf seems to answer that question and has a photo of a dou 44 as well as a description of one, listing all the parts. On my subject rifle, there is an eagle with a swastika just to the left of the serial number on the barrrel. It should be visible in the picture. The blueing has worn on the receiver and the exposed parts of the barrel and do not appear to have ever been refinished. No signs of RC and no import marks. Above "dou." on the receiver is the WAa80 proof. There are two more of the same number on the barrel. I have found several matching numbers on this rifle, inlcuding the firing pin, that I listed in my original post.