98K questions byf 44

[Claven2]

No, not all alte war 98's are like that. You seem to have what is called a kriegsmodell, made in very late 1944 and in 1945. Typically these rifles will have no bayonet lug, the stamped and welded bands will be retained by a screw and often there is no stock take-down disc, only a hole in the toe of the buttplate. Usually the finish on metal marts everywhere is pretty crude with lots of machining marks. These were the Reich's last gasp at getting enough arms ot the front to fight the Russians and, to a lesser extent, the western allies.

Not many kriegsmodell rifles exist today. Returning vets preferred the nicely made earlier rifles, dreaming of one day maybe turning them into nice sporting rifles. those KMs that were brought back command a nice premium today for collectors.

Is yours original and matching? Even missing a screw, if it's matching, unsanded with original finish - it's a very valuable rifle.