Greetings from Chicagoland. I inherited a Model 98 from my father. I would like to find out more about it. I assume that the serial number would tell when and where was it made?
Thanks,
Welcome. The serial number and letter block can pin point which month the rifle was made in. The markings on top of the receiver (Byf44 I'm guessing) will tell you the manufacturer and year (Mauser Oberndorf-1944).
I have some more photos but they must be too large to upload more than 1 or 2 at a time. It looks to me like the barrel numbers do not match the rest. Will post more but may take a few posts.
Barrels were not matched this late to the rifles serial number. Looks like a nice rifle any history on it with your father. As my66coup has stated rifle will be matched on the inside for the stock. But if you haven't taken a K98 apart before and it looks like this one hasn't been apart in along time. It will take some care and patience.
Barrels were not numbered to the receiver at this point. The numbers you are seeing are the lot #s. The rifle looks good from what I can see. The stock and hand guard will be numbered internally, both bands etc. The forum has a picture reference to compare your rifle to. The wood will have a small eagle/waa135 on the right side near the take down disc. The wrist will also have a few of the same.
Sorry, I wish that I did have some history on it. He was in WWII but in the South Pacific so I highly doubt that he acquired it there. I suspect guns are like like classic cars, it’s the story behind the car that makes it interesting.
Does a Mauser Oberndorf-1944 manufacture make it interesting at all?
Thank you for your fathers service part of the greatest generation. Thinking this rifle was most likely bought in the 50s and 60s which was the golden age of military surplus firearms when you could get them for $25 at your hardware store. And any all matching original K98k is interesting regardless of manufacture IMO. But collectors love Mauser Oberndorf. The connection too the development of all the Mauser designed type rifles over the years and the founders of the company were the Mauser brothers.
Even though 1944 was the highest rifle production year for Mauser finding them all matching and original still isn't easy. And when you do they are highly collectable.
I did remove the butt plate a few months back because someone told me that soldiers used to bore holes in the stock and hide money and valuables behind the plate. I was probably being fed a line of BS but I bit on it anyway. No German Reichsmarks were found inside.
I guess I should remove the stock and hand guard to see what markings are there.
Just go slow. The trigger guard screws can be a pain in the a$$. If you don't have the right screw driver, you can mess up the screw heads. The stock looks correct for a G block, did you find the markings in the wood I described earlier?
my66coupe, the only stamping I found on the inside of the hand guard was a matching number nothing else, and I checked it thoroughly with a flashlight.
Albeit a belated thanks to your father for his service, and if you need help on the rifle, PM me. I am in the Chicagoland area too (south end). Looks like a nice one but I haven't anything to add to what several have offered here. Do put a light oil on it to keep it from rusting.