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K98k bring back

habu65

Member
This rifle is an unaltered specimen which was sent back from France by my father-in-law after he went in on Omaha beach on June 9th. It was taken from crate of new ones and has been neglected ever since. I know it is a Steyr made in 1944. Is there anything significant about the "dot" after the "bnz"? You folks seem to know everything about these and I look forward to any replies. Thanks in advance.
 

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bnz4

the bnz. is one of the variations of the bnz code. there are four different bnz code types that show up in 43/44. This is a straight up bnz heer issued rifle and has no ss connection. It looks like a very nice rifle from what I can see in the photos..



by the way welcome to the forum !!!:welcome:
 
Vet bring-back 98k

That is a great example of an un-messed with 98k.
It would be a desireable piece in anyones collection.
Also, welcome to the Forum.
Bob32268
 
bnz4

Thank you Bob and Mauser for the welcome and info. Sounds like the rifle is a standard K98k that is unusual only in that it has not been messed up. Since it has a family provenance, I am giving it some well deserved TLC from now on. Could you shed some light on the barrel marking that is a shield inclosing a "b z"? Here are a couple more pics. Also, I have a bayonet that was "liberated" in the same way. Is this the appropriate place to post pics of the bayonet?
 

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bnz

the shield says bnz/1 as it is a bnz finished barrel. there may be more info on the barrel as well..
 
mauser99: thanks for the info about the bnz/1 inside of the shield. I couln't make out the "n" even with a magnifying glass so I didn't know what it was.
 
I just want to say, this is a very nice bnz4 no letter block rifle- actually quite difficult to find! Nice photos as well, for sure a keeper.
 
not only is that a great rifle but you know where it came from and it's still in the family. my father never brought anything back from the pacific campaign but my uncle did. he was in the pacific campaign (army) from 43 - 45 and ended up in occupied hiroshima (still alive so no radiation poisoning). he took a new crude last ditch wood butt plate arisaka from an arsenal and has it hanging up in his living room. also, your rifle was made in january 44 i believe. i must ask the experts how it came to be issued in the spring of 44?
 
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Thanks for the replies. I incorrectly implied that the rifle was acquired in June 44....senior moment. Actually, it was acquired about a year later in 1945.
 
the less you do to it the better. Don't oil, wax, or sand the stock. Lightly oil the metal to keep rust from forming during storage and after handling. That sling is incredible. I'm sure we all would love to have such a family treasure. The only one I have is just a barrelled action.
 
ac: Have you taken your Arisaka into a dark room? It may glow.
Seriously though, I just had the pleasure of shooting a Type 99 at the range. Very accruate and a fairly smooth action. I was a bit supprised for sure. Good rifle.

mt: The sling was so brittle that I didn't even try to mess with it. I kept applying a product called "mink oil" and softened it up enough to actually take it off of the rifle. The sling has no markings on it anywhere, not even on the metal.

I would like to see a serious collector get this one but the family wants it to stay here.

Thanks again for the replies and valuable info.

I'm putting in a couple more pics because I like to look at everyone else's pics.
 

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habu, i've only handled it and never shot it. last time i saw it was about 10 years ago. it is a type 99 short rifle. i don't know too much about them. my uncle recently gave it to his grandson who is very happy to have it.
 
ac: I've always heard that the long Arisaka rifles were rare.

mto: I will take your advice and leave the rifle alone after lightly oiling the metal.
 
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Thanks for the additional photos. I'm going to add it to our pic sticky!
 
mrfarb: One of the reasons that I posted the bnz. 4 in this forum was to show an unaltered rifle in hopes that the pics would help to expose forgeries. I've been a victim of altered firearms advertised as original and it doesn't feel very good. Here's five more pics of the rifle for your sticky.
 

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Thanks habu65, that is the reason we have those photos, for newer collectors to easily access. Yours is great!
 
Just exploring here! My fathers rifle sportorized?

I hunted with this rifle when I was fifteen in Vermont. My father passed away and passed it down to me. Note I was fifteen in 1969 so my father bought this around that time. All I know is the Ordanance code is "bnc" Waffenarnt code is 4. Matching numbers 6219 all the way around. I have taken some pictures maybe someone can help me focus better on what he has? Hope my photos uploaded, first timer here.


ucv 108.jpg
ucv 101.jpg
ucv 103.jpg
 
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