- #MAUSER K98 SS MARKINGS SERIAL NUMBERS#
- #MAUSER K98 SS MARKINGS SERIAL NUMBER#
- #MAUSER K98 SS MARKINGS CODE#
#MAUSER K98 SS MARKINGS SERIAL NUMBERS#
Typically, on SS rifles, no serial numbers will be found on the barrel bands, trigger guard assembly, or magazine floor plate, and only two serial numbers will be found on the bolt assembly (bolt handle and safety).
#MAUSER K98 SS MARKINGS SERIAL NUMBER#
Steyr manufactured approximately 85,000 Kar-98K rifles for the SS in 1944 based on the “DR” marked barrel, this rifle was made in August- September 1944.Ī detailed discussion of the Steyr SS contract can be found on pages 731-749 in Volume IIb of the definitive reference set, Karabiner 98k, by Bruce Karem and Michael Steves (if you are using any other reference books on the Kar-98k rifle, they are obsolete). The rifle is fully functioning and all of the serial numbers match.Īs designated by the “bnz” manufacturer’s code, the rifle was made by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria. The stock is also excellent with only minor handling marks no cracks or gouges (note: Steyr used a uniquely shaped cutout on the right side of the stock below the bolt handle while other makers used a cutout that is square-shaped, the Steyr design is rectangular). The front sight hood is missing (note: Steyr used a uniquely shaped sight hood in 1944-45 with a continuous curve that is different from the typical sight hood used by other makers of the Kar-98k). The condition is Excellent with 90% of the overall blue remaining the bluing is 95% on the receiver, bolt, and magazine follower and about 85% on the barrel and magazine floor plate. 98” (model: Karabiner Model 1898) “byf” and eagle over “135” (manufacturer and military acceptance stamp found only on the trigger guard assembly this part was supplied to Steyr by Mauser Oberndorf – a common feature of Steyr rifles made in 1944).
#MAUSER K98 SS MARKINGS CODE#
Principal markings include: “4618” (serial number) “bnz 44” (manufacturer’s code and year of manufacture) “Mod. Needless to say this is a very dark artifact from the era.Exceptional example of the standard issue 7.92mm service rifle supplied to the Waffen SS by special contract in 1944. Research on these rifles and the Deaths Head marked Lugers indicates a close association with the latter though I am not aware of any final conclusion on the matter. There has been much speculation of the years as to what the true use of these rifles was, were they issued to the Waffen SS or to the Concentration camp guard force known at the Totenkopfverbande.
This is the second real one that we have seen in 30 years. SS issued rifles are esoterically scarce and widely faked and to find a genuine example is quite a find. This is a definitive textbook example it has the correct death head markings with the distinctive larger size on the stock grip and the proper crown n proofs which all genuine examples must have. It is a vet bring back, it has a repaired duffle cut and the bolt does not match, but it is exactly as it was captured and vet brought back at the end of the war. First of all this is the real freaking deal….A commercial proofed SS issued and marked Gew98/98k conversion.