98K questions byf 44

[DaveHH]

This Mauser has a screw holding the lower band in place. It has no spring that holds the bands in place and has no slot cut into the wood for a spring. The original screw is missing, I cannot find any reference to a replacement. This is the band that holds the front end of the sling in place. Are late war 98K all like this?

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[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.

[DaveHH]

when my Uncles picked up these rifles, they were required to remove the bayonet lug before shipping them home, so this apparently did have a bayonet. It has a nice blued finish and has the stock bolt disassembly insert and cupped buttplate. It has the stamped barrel band. The parts are all matching except the bolt. Our family has had this since it came home after the war. My two uncles both also had rifles, one being a VZ 24? Small ring mountain carbine with straight bolt. The other had code DOT? or something like that. Both it and my byf 44 had the laminated beech stocks. My byf 44 is definitely not a last ditch build, but I just have never seen one with no spring or even a slot for the spring. Thanks very much for the help.

[Claven2]

There's no such thing as a "last ditch" K98k. The KM is a legitimate variant where they eliminated the spring and lowered finish standards to speed production. Pictures would help.

GI's were never required to remove bayo lugs. Some sawed off the end of the stock to get the gun to fit in a duffle bag (duffle cut), but this had nothing to do with the lug.

99.9% yours never had a lug to begin with if there is no provision for a band spring.

[DaveHH]

You are correct, this one would be a semi kreigsmodel stock. Screws holding the bands yet has the disassembly disk. Was there a metal piece attached to the front of the stock as there is a screw hole in the front and the lower band overhangs the stock in front when the screw holes line up. The rifle has an early machined magazine plate as well. byf 44 numbers are 4446C bolt numbers are 52 (no match) floor plate and follower 7429.
I am absolutely sure of the provenance on this rifle as my father's brothers brought back 3 Mausers after the war and this was my father's. Any part swapping was done over there during the war.
I really appreciate your help.
Dave