German byf Code K98k Mauser 23.5” 7.92x57mm Bolt Action Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,076.00
LSB# LSB250527BS006
Make: Mauser-Werke, Oberndorf on the Neckar
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 39692 h
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: 7.92x57mm (8mm Mauser)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked with, “byf / 43”. The left side of the receiver is marked, “39692 h / Mod.98”. All serialized parts matching to the receiver. The buttplate is marked, “gqm 43. There are various Reichadlers and Waffenamt stamps throughout. The bayonet is non-matched to the rifle.
Barrel Length: 23.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a chevron post dovetailed to a serrated base with a protective hood. The rear sight is a v-notch sliding escalator assembly marked 1-20.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The laminate wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, scallop for the bolt handle, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for the missing cleaning rod, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate has impact marks, wear along the edges along with patina. There are compression marks, scuffs, minor chips, and scratches throughout the wood. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is pronounced with some light wear. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8.5/10.
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 90% of its metal finish. There is light thinning throughout with small handing marks. There are some small spots of light patina throughout. The action has light wear. The screw heads show light to moderate use. The markings that are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition. The bayonet is in Very 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: M1984/98 Bayonet.
Our Assessment: The German Karabiner 98k (K98k) was the standard service rifle of the Wehrmacht throughout World War II, renowned for its ruggedness, accuracy, and classic Mauser engineering. This particular example, bearing the “byf 43” code, was manufactured in 1943 at the Mauser-Werke plant in Oberndorf am Neckar during the height of wartime production. Despite the increasingly strained German war economy by that time, rifles like this retained high standards of craftsmanship and were issued across all branches of the German armed forces. The “byf” code and accompanying Waffenamt and Reichsadler acceptance stamps give this rifle strong authenticity and traceability within the WWII collector’s realm.
This K98k retains approximately 90% of its original blued finish and features a correct laminated wood stock, which was standard for mid-war production to conserve resources and improve durability. The rifle displays honest combat wear, with scattered pressure marks, minor chipping, and signs of field use on both the stock and buttplate, yet remains free of cracks. Impressively, all serialized components match the receiver, further boosting its collector appeal. The bore remains bright with well-defined rifling and only light erosion, rating 8.5/10—excellent for a military rifle that almost certainly saw service during the war. The rifle is accompanied by an M1884/98 bayonet, which, while not serial-matched, complements the rifle’s military presentation.
This is a fine and desirable example of a wartime-produced German K98k rifle. With its matching serial numbers, solid bore, and authentic wear, it represents an excellent addition to any WWII or Mauser collection. Whether appreciated for its historical value, shooting performance, or as a tangible artifact of Germany’s wartime industry, this “byf 43” K98k is a compelling piece of 20th-century military history. -R.E.
