Sniper Style German byf Code K98k Mauser 23.5” 7.92x57mm Rifle, 1943
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
LSB# LSB250604CM015
Make: Mauser-Werke, Oberndorf A/N, Germany
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 9155 ff
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, “9155 ff / Mod.98”. There are various Reichadlers and Waffenamt stamps throughout. Not all parts are serial matched.
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. The receiver has a German style type 2 short side rail scope mount with a Carl Zeiss Zielsechs 6x scope with a large Pickett center post. The scope is in good condition, the glass is clear.
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 included cleaning rod, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, and a checkered metal buttplate. The buttplate has minor wear throughout. There are compression marks, scuffs, minor chips, and scratches throughout the wood. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13.1” 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: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-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 are mostly clear with some being worn or gone. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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: Leather sling.
Our Assessment: This 1943-dated Mauser K98k, marked with the “byf” manufacturer code for Mauser-Werke Oberndorf, represents one of the most iconic bolt-action service rifles of World War II. Built during the height of the conflict, the K98k was the standard German infantry rifle, known for its rugged reliability, excellent accuracy, and strong 7.92x57mm Mauser chambering. This example has been configured in a sniper style, equipped with a German type 2 short side rail scope mount and a Carl Zeiss Zielsechs 6x optic featuring a large post reticle—an arrangement closely resembling wartime sniper setups. While this rifle has been refinished and is not entirely serial-matching, it retains about 90% of its finish and presents well, with light wear, scattered patina, and clear markings on most components. The laminate stock remains solid and free from cracks, showing only the expected compression marks and small handling blemishes from service use. The bore is in very good condition—semi-bright with pronounced rifling, only minor wear, and light erosion, rating 8.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The Zeiss scope is clear and functional, adding both authenticity and practical shooting capability.
For collectors and shooters, this K98k offers a compelling combination of historical appeal and range-ready performance. While not a pure, unaltered wartime sniper, it captures the look and feel of the German precision rifles of the period and retains the mechanical quality that made the K98k a mainstay in the field. As a C&R-eligible rifle with solid bore condition and an iconic German optic, it would make a fine addition to a WWII collection or serve as a capable vintage match rifle for those who appreciate Mauser engineering paired with classic German glass. -R.E.
