Authentic ZF39 sniper rifle?

[JamesB]

I have high hopes that I might have got the real thing. Scope seems to be correct and the rings are numbered to match the rifle. All numbers on rifle match except for the stock. Can anyone see something out of place?

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[Promo]

Would say fake, since both the scale ring on the scope looks odd, plus the rifle is lacking the WaA135 punch mark at the receiver next to the serial numer. Plus the stock appears sanded with deeply reapplied markings, which are out of line. I'd pass this one, unless it's very cheap.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Plus the stock appears sanded

I do not agree on this point. The stock looks un-fudged to me. Perhaps you could point out the evidence of sanding?

As to markings, I have no expertise in this field. But it bothers me that the scope is so ding-free compared with the rifle. And this is an area where faking is rife. It certainly requires a very careful hands-on investigation, with the senses set to "maximum suspicion" and judgement set to "extremely cautious".

Inconsistent wear is always a warning sign, for which one does not require any specific knowledge of the model, just a bit of patience and a watchmakers eyeglass. The rifle itself looks like a genuine all-matching piece that probably had some surface rust that has been cleaned up, as shown by the lighter "halo" around the numbers on the barrel. This halo effect occurs when the metal is rubbed down and the slightly raised metal resulting from the deformation when the stamp was applied gets rubbed harder than the surrounding metal.

So why are the scope plus mountings so pristine?
And thus, by a different route, I come to the same conclusion as Promo.

[Promo]

Something you'll never be able to remove when sanding a stock is the originally dark areas around the sharp edges, without destroying those. That is the same problem here, note the darker areas around the metal parts, especially the buttplate. This is something commonly found on all weapons which have been sanded. Secondly, the original deep scars in the stock are still visible, of course very dark to nearly black in the stock.

Check the underside of the butt of the stock, the rifles serial should be visible. If it's not, it definately has been sanded (plus then aswell check the inside of the barrel channel, both the handguard an the stock. There should be the serial aswell).

[Aragorn243]

The darker areas around the metal parts are common on all rifles sanded or not. It's staining caused by contact with the metal and water or moisture. It's often a sign of rust. So I wouldn't judge it by that alone.

[Claven2]

Personally, I don't think it's been sanded, but I do think it's a fake or restoration. I would not be surprised to learn someone like Robert Spilauer rebuilt and refinished the scope.

[JamesB]

I don't believe that the stock has been refinished. The serial number is on the bottom of the stock and it matches the inside of the stock, buttplate and handguard, however they do not match the rest of the rifle. The bolt shroud and follower have both been reblued and I think the scope tube as well.

[Crash]

I vote for a very nicely done repro rig.
No cupped buttplate most have checkering as well
No obvious solder around mount
No extra firing proof behind serial number
No domed elevation knob on top of scope, probably commercialAttachment 46463Attachment 46464
Rifle is probably earlier than the turrets emerged but havent checked that far.

[Crash]

Heres my best keeper turret, its a hi turret taken by 774th Armored Vet from Hurtgen Forest three days before "The Bulge" the one in question should be a low turret as its numbered on the bottom of the mount instead of ring.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Very instructional post & replys with a great depth of knowlege. This type of post is the reason I visit often.
Thanks.