44 byf, is it real? Thoughts, info, worth?

7 more pics.

Seven more pics.

Rmm said:

Seven more pics.

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All numbers look good, however someone tried to "spruce it up". There is some type of finish on the wood that does not belong there; the butt plate has been steel wooled as well. The sight hood is post war Israeli, but an original would be easy to locate. The firing pin should be numbered to the rifle. As far as separating the action from the stock, just remove those action screws and it will pop out. I had an "e" block once upon a time.

The rifle is fine, all numbered. The stock was additionally painted with some varnish, but nothing tragic. Fly cap is not original. Otherwise beautiful condition.

Thank you. I felt the same way about the stock, looks like a thin coat of poly or something (maybe tru?). I didn't pay much attention to the buttplate. But to me, that site hood just didn't seem to fit with the rest. I do not know these German rifles like what I normally go after but have always liked them. What I was really wondering about was all the stampings and proofs, I am not familiar with German manufacture at all but I do know there are many, as you call them, turds. The only things I know so far is this was supposed to have been built around July of 44 and the byf factory designation.

Any recommendations on the best place to find a correct site hood? As in what on line dealer is trustworthy for these? Most of my suppliers that I trust do not stock many German parts. Thanks for the insights.

Rmm said:

Any recommendations on the best place to find a correct site hood? As in what on line dealer is trustworthy for these? Most of my suppliers that I trust do not stock many German parts. Thanks for the insights.

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Like others have said, aside from the hood, overcleaned butt plate, unmarked firing pin and added varnish it seems righteous. Not sure if rear sight parts have sn's, too dark to see. I have some original hoods. I get $35 shipped for one. Heres a quick photo or three.

Get ready for a fight when you replace the sight hood, warning..special tool required.

Now you tell me!

Thanks everyone, seems like I have a little keeper. Like I said, I wasn't worried about it either way but its always nice to have not bought just decoration. Anyone have any thoughts on a going rate for something such as this one? Its not going anywhere but I have not come across too many of these out in the wild for years now to hazard a guess. And the ones I have seen were so far up there that I didn't pay much notice. I know as far as the K98's go, this is one of the most common. Just curious I guess.
Mowzerluvr, I sent you a pm about your post.
Thanks again...

chasdev said:

Get ready for a fight when you replace the sight hood, warning..special tool required.

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Not to worry, have dremel will travel! Seriously, I have a decent number of snap ring pliers that looks like they would just fit the bill. Also appears to be what many others decided as well from lurking around here the last few days.

No need to cut the old one off, if you have these...

Raise your right hand, “ I (insert name) will not destroy this piece of history and leave my bubba inclinations aside. I will not use a dremel.


It’s a great rifle, I would hate for you to have a regrettable accident.

b32dominator said:

Raise your right hand, “ I (insert name) will not destroy this piece of history and leave my bubba inclinations aside. I will not use a dremill.


It’s a great rifle, I would hate for you to have a regrettable accident.

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Don't worry guys, I was only joking. I guess no one read beyond the word "dremel". Cant say as I blame anyone, my mind goes numb too when I hear it mentioned along with repair or modify. You have my word as a card carrying nra life member!

Update

Ok, this is what has happened since my original post. The rifle has been completely stripped down and of course cleaned. Found plenty of grease(!), not cosmoline but grease inside the bolt, mainly packed around the firing pin and spring. I have no idea who would do that, or why, but it's all gone now. The extractor is not numbered except for a tiny stamp on the inside of it, I couldn't quite make it out. As I initially said, the firing pin has no stampings at all. I'm told it should be a numbered part, guess the original broke. Besides that, it's perfect and matching. The rest of the barreled action is in very good shape! There was some minor surface rust on the receiver ring which you could see in the original photos. I got rid of all of it with nothing more than a oil soaked flannel patch that I wrapped around it over night and the slightest of passes with some 0000. There is some very minor pitting from years past before someone addressed it. After I removed the rust, you can see where someone hit those areas up (precisely and sparingly) with a bluing pen, you have to concentrate on the area to see it and it was a little unnerving but had they not done that, I'm sure the damage would've been much worse. I suppose that's better than someone going all out and refinishing the entire ring. The incorrect sight hood has been removed (the proper way) and a original is on its way (big thanks to mowzerluvr for everything!) along with a few other select items from various others here on the forum. That leaves the stock. The lower stock and upper handguard are both numbered and matching to the rifles serial number. That leaves me with one final question, what to do about the clearcoat or varnish? Since I absolutely do not want to damage the wood in any way, and since whatever it is, is very thin and not slopped on, I'm inclined to leave it alone! It has not altered the color and is protecting it to a certain degree. I do not care for the slight shine and would rather it be as intended but it could be allot worse. Unless someone here has any ideas on its removal that is guaranteed not to damage the underlying finish or laminate? I could send it out to a professional but that makes me uneasy, unless they are a historical weapons specialist, such as you would find at a top museum. I think that would be going way over the top and would probably cost more than the rifle is worth. Maybe if this were a one of 25 perhaps, but its not.
That's pretty much everything, and I am extremely happy with it. It will have a good home until my shift as its guardian comes to an end, which will be when I come to the end.
Thanks to everyone for the info you passed along and the help in tracking down some items, very much appreciated! Looking forward to anyone's thoughts on that stock finish though, otherwise I think I'll leave that one up to the next caretaker.