German byf Code K98k Mauser 23.5” 7.92x57mm Bolt Action Rifle, 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,780.00
LSB# LSB251006CF033
Make: Mauser-Werke, Oberndorf on the Neckar Germany
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 1537r
Year of Manufacture: 1941 / C&R
Caliber: 7.92x57mm (8mm Mauser)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked with, “byf / 41”. The left side of the receiver is marked, “1537r / Mod.98”. All serialized parts matching the receiver. There are various Reichsadlers and “655” Waffenamt stamps throughout. The buttplate is marked, “brg 41” There is no import mark.
Barrel Length: 23.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a barleycorn blade dovetailed to a serrated base. The rear sight is a v-notch sliding escalator assembly marked 1-20.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece laminate wood stock set with a capped forend, hole for included cleaning rod, barrel band w/ sling bar, semi-pistol grip, straight comb, sling well & passthrough, bolt disassembly tool and steel buttplate. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall the stock rates at about Very Good overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is pronounced. There is faint erosion and heavy lead fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8/10. The bore appears to have been polished.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. There are light spots of thinning and patina throughout. The action has light wear. The screw heads show light use. The markings are mostly clear with the smaller ones being slightly blurry. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as refinished.
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: Leather sling.
Our Assessment: The German K98k remains one of the most iconic bolt-action service rifles of the Second World War, and this byf-coded example reflects Mauser-Werke Oberndorf production during the early, high-quality phase of wartime manufacture. The “byf / 41” receiver marking places this rifle firmly in 1941, a period when German arms production still emphasized solid machining, proper heat treatment, and well-executed laminate stocks. Rifles from this year often exhibit a balance of durability and finish quality that later wartime examples increasingly lacked. The presence of correct Waffenamt acceptance marks, matching serialized components, and the absence of an import mark further reinforce its authenticity as a genuine wartime Mauser rather than a postwar assembly. Chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser, the K98k fired one of the most effective and influential military cartridges of the 20th century. The 8mm Mauser offered excellent ballistic performance, penetration, and accuracy, qualities that made it well suited to both infantry service and long-range engagements. This rifle’s bore remains semi-bright with pronounced rifling, showing only faint erosion and heavy fouling consistent with historical service and later storage. The apparent bore polishing has helped preserve rifling definition, and the overall internal condition remains strong for a C&R-eligible service rifle of this age.
Although refinished, this example retains much of its military character, with a correct laminate stock, intact hardware, and clear markings that allow its wartime origins to remain easily identifiable. The refinished metal and stock present cleanly, with light thinning and honest wear rather than abuse. As a 1941-dated, matching byf K98k, this rifle offers collectors an early-war Mauser with solid historical presence and strong mechanical integrity. It stands as a representative example of German small-arms production at a time when quality and battlefield demands were still closely aligned. -R.E.
