German bcd Code Mauser K98k 7.92x57mm 23.5” Bolt Action Rifle, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,366.00
LSB#: WY241202MH015
Make: Wilhelm-Gustloff-Werke, Weimar
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 4590f
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine.
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked with a Reichsadler and, “bcd 4” The left side of the receiver is marked, “4590f / Mod. 98”. All serialized parts are matched to the receiver. The buttplate is marked, “gqm 43” The barrel is marked, “AVK AC”. There are several Reichsadler and Waffenamt throughout. The muzzle cap is marked “an” . The bayonet is marked, “9082d” on both the scabbard and blade and, “S/175G”.
Barrel Length: 23.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a triangular post set atop a serrated ramped base. The rear sight is a sliding u-notch blade attached to an escalator assembly.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece laminate wood set with a capped forend/bayonet lug & cleaning rod, barrel band w/ sling bar, through bolt, semi-pistol grip, sling well & passthrough, bolt disassembly disc, straight comb, and steel buttplate. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. The wrist and forend cap are cracked. There are small chips throughout. The buttplate is missing its bottom screw. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray and the rifling is strong. There is moderate erosion in the bore with light pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at a 7.5/10
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. There is heavy thinning throughout with the receiver retaining the most finish. There are scratches, nicks and impact marks throughout. The action has light wear. The buttplate is impact marked. The screw heads show light use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition. The bayonet is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Early style muzzle cap, bayonet, sling.
Our Assessment: The German bcd Code Mauser K98k in 7.92x57mm Mauser is a historically significant bolt-action rifle, produced during World War II by Gustloff-Werke, one of the many factories contracted to manufacture Germany’s standard-issue infantry rifle. The bcd code, assigned to Gustloff-Werke, indicates that this rifle was produced under the strict wartime conditions that required mass production while maintaining the legendary Mauser durability and accuracy. The K98k (Karabiner 98 kurz) was the backbone of the German Wehrmacht, seeing service across multiple fronts from the Eastern Front to North Africa and Western Europe. Built on the robust Mauser 98 action, this rifle was renowned for its reliability, precision, and smooth bolt operation, making it one of the finest military bolt-action rifles of its era. This particular bcd-coded K98k retains its military features, including the 23.5-inch barrel, which strikes a balance between accuracy and maneuverability. The rifle’s iron sights are designed for effective engagement at varying distances, and its controlled-feed bolt system ensures smooth cycling under battlefield conditions. Like many wartime K98ks, this example may have features such as laminated stocks, phosphate-finished metal parts, or wartime expedient production marks, reflecting Germany’s shifting manufacturing priorities as the war progressed. The 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge offered excellent stopping power and long-range capability, making it one of the most formidable infantry rifle cartridges of its time.
For collectors and military firearms enthusiasts, a bcd-coded Mauser K98k is a highly desirable rifle due to its wartime production history, factory-specific markings, and connection to World War II. Gustloff-Werke rifles are particularly noteworthy due to their later-war production methods and variations in finish and components. Whether as a historical artifact, a prized addition to a Mauser collection, or a functional shooter, this rifle represents the pinnacle of German bolt-action military rifle engineering. With its legendary Mauser action and significant historical provenance, the bcd-coded K98k stands as one of the most sought-after surplus rifles for collectors of World War II firearms. -R.E.
