New to me BNZ 41 with Pics

[chuckchili]

Picked this rifle up at an antique auction over the weekend. I'm always looking for milsurps so when the bidding slowed down on this rifle, I couldn't pass it up for the price. (I also couldn't pass on a Jap rifle which I'll also post in its appropriate location on this forum.) This is my first Mauser and I am really pretty happy with it. It is all matching except for the forced matched bolt and its components which were left with no numbers. Its also missing its cleaning rod. It is NOT import marked, the finish is real nice, the stock too and the barrel is better than fair- kind of dark with defined rifling and no pitting. I find I really like Mausers with all the numbers so you know for certain what matches and what doesn't- down to the screws. Thought I'd share some photos..... I am open for opinions or suggestions- I know next to nothing about it at this point but will be doing some research. In the last picture, there are the letters D P in the stock where the sling goes. That's the only place on the whole rifle where those letters appear. First thing I though of was the Drill Purpose markings on American and British rifles- what do the ones on my rifle mean? (Hoping not drill purpose )

Information

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[Badger]

bnz = Steyr Daimler-Puch, Steyr 1941-44

Here's some good reading ...

The article in the PDF file attached to this post was originally published in the KCN in their November 1990 newsletter as: THE STEYR K98k Written by Bob Jensen and edited by Peter Kuck 06/11/2002]

Regards,
Doug

[Calif-Steve]

Serial number on bolt not likely done by the Germans. Post-war ownership. "DP" is not known to me. Looks like european walnut stock to me. Not sure if a 1941 would still have a walnut stock. Interesting find.

[chuckchili]

Should have mentioned the stock is stamped with the serial number, hand guard too. The stock has inspector stamps with the eagle/ swastika in a couple different places. The markings on the stock are clear and crisp but half of me thinks the stock might have been refinished. It looks a little too good but not quite as good as the picture makes it look.

[Calif-Steve]

Stock is almost certainly correct. Likely sanded a little, but still Ok.

[Sarge]

Bolt is definately not German done. Post war by who ever used the rifle - possibly Norway?
The D & P are most like inspectors marks for different stages of making the stock. A variety of this type markings are found in that location on some stocks.
Nice buy!
Sarge