WWII German K98k Mauser Oberndorf byf 41 8mm Mauser Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $835
WOA#: WY230802SF009
Make: Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar (byf was the wartime factory code for Mauser Oberndorf am Neckar)
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 9878
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: 8mm
Action Type: Bolt action
Markings: Left side of the receiver is marked with a reichsadler and “9878 g”, and “Mod.98”. Right side of the receiver is marked with three “655” waffenamts. Top of the receiver is marked “byf 41”. Left side of the barrel shank is marked with a reichsadler and “9878 g”. Right side of the barrel shank is marked with the GECO logo followed by “491”, as well as three “211” waffenamts. Top of the barrel shank is marked “79”. Right side of the rear sight assembly base is marked “7”. Right side of the rear sight slider is marked with a “655” waffenamt. Underside of the slider is marked “78”, and with a waffenamt. Underside of the sight ladder is marked “9878” and with two “655” waffenamts. Top of the rear sight base is marked “78” and with a waffenamt. Top of the magazine follower is marked “78” and with a waffenamt. Top of the bolt stop is marked “77”. Magazine floorplate is marked “9878”, with a “230” waffenamt, and “ayf”. Magazine assembly is marked with two waffenamts and “9878”. The rear barrel band is marked “1” on the right side. Left side of the front barrel band is marked “7332”. Top of the front sight assembly is marked “78”. Top of the barrel handle is marked “9878 g”. Rear of the cocking piece is marked “78”. Top of the safety is marked “2788”. Top of the bolt sleeve is marked “78”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 23.75”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted V-post set atop a ramped base. The rear sight is a V-notched blade attached to a sliding sight escalator.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The laminate stock has a pistol grip, scallop for the bolt handle, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for the included cleaning rod, barrel band with sling bar, recoil bolt, sling well, bolt disassembly disc, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate and stock hardware show surface erosion.. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are numerous scratches, scuffs, and compression marks throughout. The wrist is heavily cracked. The cracks form a crescent, running from one side of the wrist to the other. There are also cracks that move down to the rear of the trigger assembly. Due to the cracks, the stock rates in Fair overall condition.
Magazine Quantity: Internal 5 round magazine
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to rebuild
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is very deep. There is light corrosion and erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish on the action and barrel surfaces has a minute amount of wear to it, other than some spots of surface rust on and near the front sight assembly. The screw heads are lightly worn. The markings are very deep and easily readable. The front barrel band, bayonet lug, and bolt disassembly disc have more noticeable wear. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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: An original leather sling is included. The leather is heavily worn. The sling is missing its stock pass-through portion, meaning that the rear section does not stay attached to the rifle.
Our Assessment: This is a Mauser produced WWII-Era K98k.The infamous K98k was the standard issue service rifle for the German military from its introduction in 1935 to the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945. Based on the previous Gewehr 98, the K98k was chambered in the stout 7.92x57mm cartridge. The K98k would go on to have a long service life not only with Germany, but with many other countries in the form of military aid and via post-war refurbishment programs, such as with Norway and Israel.
This particular K98k was originally built by Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar in 1941. The rifle was rebuilt at some point and was placed in a mid-to-late war stock, as evidenced by the cruder and non-matching front barrel band. Nearly all of the other metal serialized parts match. The cracks in the stock are concerning, but the metal surfaces and bore still have a lot of life in them. This rifle would fit great into any German surplus or Mauser collection.