Verify K98k 'byf' 44

[R005t3r]

Before embarking upon installing an LSR mount I would like to verify that I am not destroying a significant rifle. It has clear Nazi proofs on the barrel and receiver. It is a Mauser Werke AG Oberndorf am Neckar product. The receiver, bolt, trigger guard and stock match; possibly forced. Waffenamt 77( Steyr- Daimler-Puch 40-44) are on the bolt body and trigger guard. Waffenamt 135 ( Mauser Oberndorf 41-45) is on the receiver. The barrel is circularly stamped: 44D44. I have not been able to identify the small 'f' suffix after serial on the receiver. It is likely an arsenal rebuild; I just want to know if it was the Germans or the Russians. It shoots MOA. Any input would be appreciated.

Information

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[vintage hunter]

I think you have a russian rebuild. I compared my vet bring back byf 44 #35507k to the pics of yours and several things differ. The numbers on your bolt and mag box are a different style compared to the ones on the reciever. The ''3'' in particular. Also, I'm almost positive your mag box should be stamped, not milled and it should have a cupped butt plate. Mine does'nt have a s/n on the stock but it does have WAa 135 stamped just below the bolt dissasembly disc on the right side and on the underside of the grip. I'd really like to know how the russians refinished these guns because the metal has none of the telltale signs of being refinished, no rounded edges or smeared stampings and screw holes. I think you have a really nice rifle and in my opinion being a russian rebuild just adds to it's history. I've been thinking about this same project and have decided to get one of the Mitchells mausers to convert. This way the history of the piece will have already been destroyed. If you do scope it, let me know how it goes. I could use the input.

[GUTS]

1944 was the peak year of production for the byf 98k's. The 44 byf is the most commonly found K98k in this country. The rifles with the 5 digit single letter serial # are the last ones made toward the end of the war.. They are sometimes called the "Kriegs Modell"(war model) rifles. By the time the 5 digit single letter production occured it was common for only the reciever, bolt, gas shield, and cocking piece to be numbered to the rifle. Also at the end of production(your rifle)stamped parts were used for the front and lower bands, band springs, trigger guard, floor plate, and folower. Stocks were not numbered but are occasionally found with the serial # written inside the stock in pencil. The later guns also had a black phosphate bolt with two round gas holes. The byf barrel shield was used for the first time in 1944. The stock you have has a flat buttplate so it would be from a rifle no later than early 1940. The numbers on the stock indicate an R/C, so does the force matched milled floor plate and trigger guard.

[rich v]

i would not drill & tap the receiver for scope mounting if it were mine, why not go the S&K scope mounting route without doing any irreversable damage to a nice K98, i think you would like the mounting system S & K provides for scope mounting. nice rifle you have there why not keep it that way