Third Party Press

Questions on 1939 BSW

Gunrunner

Senior Member
I was given a 1939 BSW to put on GB for the family of a deceased collector friend, I have never had a BSW and I have a few questions before I list it. This rifle is an early a block, 1st question is how far did they get with 1939 production? The rifle is all matching but has a couple of issues which leads to the next question, was every part proofed? The issues are a bayonet lug that is numbered but no proof, upper band is numbered but no proof, it is also buffed and reblued, gas shield numbered but no proofs, a blank band spring and a possible replaced hand guard. Here are a couple of pictures of the parts I have questions about.

Chuck
 

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The bad news is the numbering on all the metal you’ve shown so far is fake. The wood numbering looks good
 
what is it about the numbering that tells you it's fake...for someone like me just getting started what would you need to look for regarding fake fonts please.
 
The bolt was made for Mauser-Oberndorf by FN indicated by the "MI" mark on it. The font as a whole is wrong for BSW
 
what is it about the numbering that tells you it's fake...for someone like me just getting started what would you need to look for regarding fake fonts please.

Grind markings, wrong font, wrong inspection proofs. The grinding and rebluing are especially obvious on the front band, you should take a look at that first then compare. Take a look at our picture reference here and look at some of the bsw fonts.
 
oh right i get it...fascinating. Is there a book/ reference that lists the codes or do you have to be a detective and painstakingly carry out the research.
 
oh right i get it...fascinating. Is there a book/ reference that lists the codes or do you have to be a detective and painstakingly carry out the research.

http://www.thirdpartypress.com/

Best reference for K98ks on this planet. These books are cheap compared to the cost of a single hard lesson learned getting stuck with a "matching" humpjob, such as this BSW. The books themselves are a good investment as well as they are out of print and will only go up in value, as good out of print reference does.
 
http://www.thirdpartypress.com/

Best reference for K98ks on this planet. These books are cheap compared to the cost of a single hard lesson learned getting stuck with a "matching" humpjob, such as this BSW. The books themselves are a good investment as well as they are out of print and will only go up in value, as good out of print reference does.

+1. Part of it comes with experience as well, and theres no getting around that. However, good references cut down the learning curve significantly.
 
I own 8 bSw rifles, my main collecting focus for the K98. As others have said, the photo reference and resource material easily tell the tale. But having been around them like I have I can see easily it was made to look matching by a hard working person. His stamping was done well, or better than most but not even within sniffing distance of bSw fonts. And bSw proofed everything down to the lock screws. Any part unproofed on a bSw would raise suspicion. Still a nice rifle to have once the wrong parts were removed. The 1939 production run bSw is a hard nut to crack. I only own 2 out of my 8 from them. Show more of the stock, it looks like it may be the best part of that rifle.
 
mowzerluvr, if you don't mind me asking, what was it about the bsw rifles that attracted you with all the K98's you can come across.
 
The code just spoke to me is the best description I can say. I went with my gut. I started with and still love Oberndorfs. But something about that crylic BSW marking had me pegged. And the fact that for the most part they made less than the rest putting quality above quantity it seemed to me. I'm an odd collector. I mostly collect just Elite Diamante bayonets and Hawig cleaning kits. Not much of a rhyme or reason other than I like the looks of the names or codes. Plus I like rarer things, my 1973 Dodge charger is one of 40 produced and I like going to a car show where I'm the only game in town.. lol
 
Pictures Added

I own 8 bSw rifles, my main collecting focus for the K98. As others have said, the photo reference and resource material easily tell the tale. But having been around them like I have I can see easily it was made to look matching by a hard working person. His stamping was done well, or better than most but not even within sniffing distance of bSw fonts. And bSw proofed everything down to the lock screws. Any part unproofed on a bSw would raise suspicion. Still a nice rifle to have once the wrong parts were removed. The 1939 production run bSw is a hard nut to crack. I only own 2 out of my 8 from them. Show more of the stock, it looks like it may be the best part of that rifle.

Here are some quick pictures of the rest of the rifle before I take it back to the family, I thought something wasn't quite right with the rifle and it was confirmed by the board.

Chuck
 

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Beautiful 39' otherwise. Love the wood and metal condition. Original barrel assembly. Sight leaf spring should be e/4 also. Someone tried hard with hand stamping, might even suggest possible field/war refurb but can never prove that. It looks like it was done long ago, patina looks right. No reason though if field done to try to put the "B" on the bolt root. Just would not make any sense to do so.
 
Beautiful 39' otherwise. Love the wood and metal condition. Original barrel assembly. Sight leaf spring should be e/4 also. Someone tried hard with hand stamping, might even suggest possible field/war refurb but can never prove that. It looks like it was done long ago, patina looks right. No reason though if field done to try to put the "B" on the bolt root. Just would not make any sense to do so.

Sight leaf spring is 214 proofed.

Chuck
 
The code just spoke to me is the best description I can say. I went with my gut. I started with and still love Oberndorfs. But something about that crylic BSW marking had me pegged. And the fact that for the most part they made less than the rest putting quality above quantity it seemed to me. I'm an odd collector. I mostly collect just Elite Diamante bayonets and Hawig cleaning kits. Not much of a rhyme or reason other than I like the looks of the names or codes. Plus I like rarer things, my 1973 Dodge charger is one of 40 produced and I like going to a car show where I'm the only game in town.. lol

nice one thanks..yes I understand quality over quantity makes sense.
 

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