byf45 high turret with “under the hood” pictures

This is a byf45 high turret sniper rifle i got off of Gunbroker a few months back. It is a bolt mismatch, but the bolt has a similar finish as the rest of the rifle and has a correct style sniper safety. The seller took a few disjointed and poorly lit pictures with no real description other than to mention the vets son put tru oil on the stock. It was at least described as a byf45 high turret. I think between the poor photo quality, the thin phosphate finish on the metal and the tru oil on the stock it lacked any visual appeal. I verified with the seller through e-mail that if the rifle was not an actual high turret I could return it for a full refund and it was agreed that a full refund would occur. The seller sold mainly modern rifles and had several hundred sales with an A+ rating so I figured they would keep their word. I did the Buy It Now and waited.

It arrived well packed in a good quality box in a decent plastic gun case, usually a good sign. It looked better in person to be sure. I took it apart to check for other tell tale signs such as the hole in the buttstock, the serial number in the stock as well as any assembler number below the wood line and penciled number in stock. All were present. I then verified there was an “O” marked on the rear receiver tang and a corresponding “O” mark on the front turret base as well as a WR acceptance stamp on the sniper safety. The butt plate had the proper checkered buttplate. At this point I was satisfied with what I saw to believe this is a legitimate byf45 high turret sniper.

I noticed that the buttplate, cross bolt and the takedown disc were all blued. The stock was unstained and showed little signs of additional sanding. The stock waffenamt had a subtle light circular pattern around it as if it had been covered prior to any additional sanding that might have occurred. Other than the glossy tru oil the stock is in good condition. I have begun the slow process of removing the tru oil in a manner that won’t effect the overall condition of the stock but will get rid of the gloss. The glare of the tru oil is made more noticeable in the direct sunlight. The bore like the rest of the finish on the metal parts is pristine and shows little if any use. When I get the stock finished I will post some follow up put together photographs. I took these pictures as I was in the process of removing the tru oil.

More pictures

Additional pictures

I like it, a righteous one for sure. does it have a green ink stamp in the barrel channel, I can only make out the assembler number and rifle serial. Any photos of the stock after you striped it?

Last of them

Desert Rat said:

Last of them

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I like the "5" the assembler left in the channel, a little white vinegar will return the takedown disc, and butt plate to original finish without harming them, the recoil lug would most likely be phosphate.

No ink stamps were in the stock. Only a pencil mark number 5. I can show a picture of the bolt cut out and sling cut out that I have removed some of the tru oil from. I tested these areas first since they are less noticeable. The tru oil was removed without any scratch dulling or chemical discoloring but the process will take time and I was just beginning the removal process when I took the pictures. It will be a bit time intensive and finding the time with family demands (school is now out) is the biggest challenge now.

I believe that the buttplate and takedown disc might actually have their original finish since I have seen other legitimate k98s that have blued buttplate and takedown discs. It is not common but they do exist. If I am incorrect then I appreciate any clarification on this.

The parts in question would have originally been left in the white.

I recall this HT , it was listed at GB a few times before it sold . There was some discussion at one of the other Forums . The Stock was the main topic of discussion and there was mention or question/discussion that the Action was even Reblued Post War . It was thought to be an Original HT Rifle , but with Post War Stock enhancement for sure . Stock is not Original factory finish . I maybe mistaken but if I recall correctly Bolt should be Phosphate not blued . But it is an Original HT . Best Regards

I like it. Definitely an original High Turret and worthy of restoration/shooter. Hopefully the price was right. Thanks for sharing.

Phosphate finish

The rifle is almost entirely phosphate with the exception of the rear sight base and the rear stock band not including the aforementioned blued buttplate, takedown disc and crossbolt. The direct sunlight makes most of the pictures look darker than the actual color. At the time I was taking the pictures I thought it would make it lighter but obviously I was mistaken. The phosphate is the thinner silver grey streaky kind that looks almost runny and is in my opinion about the least attractive of all the finishes that the Germans did. It is not a post war reblue it is the period correct phosphate. The bolt has the same thin silvery grey phosphate finish even though it is a bolt mismatch.

There was no doubt the stock was not period correct as the Gunbroker seller had stated that the previous owner had applied Birchwood Casey Tru Oil to the stock post war. I am currently in the process of removing the Tru Oil.

I have included a couple of photographs taken by another forum member my66coupe of a svw45 that has the identical finish as my byf45 high turret to further illustrate the type of finish I am taking about. One of the pictures shows the difference in color between a blued byf45 rifle and the phosphated svw45. His photography skills are good and mine apparently need improvement as far as actual finish color.

Dave Roberts said:

I recall this HT , it was listed at GB a few times before it sold . There was some discussion at one of the other Forums . The Stock was the main topic of discussion and there was mention or question/discussion that the Action was even Reblued Post War . It was thought to be an Original HT Rifle , but with Post War Stock enhancement for sure . Stock is not Original factory finish . I maybe mistaken but if I recall correctly Bolt should be Phosphate not blued . But it is an Original HT . Best Regards

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I remember this one as well Dave, the seller on GB refused to take any addtl photos including the barrel channel. Bolt would most likely have been phosphate with a blued factory milled down safety.

mdarnell19 said:

I like it. Definitely an original High Turret and worthy of restoration/shooter. Hopefully the price was right. Thanks for sharing.

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sturmgrenadier said:

I remember this one as well Dave, the seller on GB refused to take any addtl photos including the barrel channel. Bolt would most likely have been phosphate with a blued factory milled down safety.

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I remember too. DR, it’ll make a fun project! The base rifle is legit... update us when you get a nice scope on there!

Desert Rat said:

The rifle is almost entirely phosphate with the exception of the rear sight base and the rear stock band not including the aforementioned blued buttplate, takedown disc and crossbolt. The direct sunlight makes most of the pictures look darker than the actual color. At the time I was taking the pictures I thought it would make it lighter but obviously I was mistaken. The phosphate is the thinner silver grey streaky kind that looks almost runny and is in my opinion about the least attractive of all the finishes that the Germans did. It is not a post war reblue it is the period correct phosphate. The bolt has the same thin silvery grey phosphate finish even though it is a bolt mismatch.

There was no doubt the stock was not period correct as the Gunbroker seller had stated that the previous owner had applied Birchwood Casey Tru Oil to the stock post war. I am currently in the process of removing the Tru Oil.

I have included a couple of photographs taken by another forum member my66coupe of a svw45 that has the identical finish as my byf45 high turret to further illustrate the type of finish I am taking about. One of the pictures shows the difference in color between a blued byf45 rifle and the phosphated svw45. His photography skills are good and mine apparently need improvement as far as actual finish color.

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It is surely worth restoring . I did not mean to imply otherwise , even if the finish was not correct , which in fact it is according to owner of the Rifle . IMO that is certainly a plus and one less thing Bubba F'ed Up and thankfully one less thing that needs to be redone .

Hey it looks great Desert Rat. Rifle Markings are nice.
As others I’m Lookin forward to seein pics with a nice
Optic on it!

I agree, certainly worth restoring properly. Poor or removed metal finish, especially if buffed, etc. , after having to work with it and refinish, is a deal killer for me, now.

It can be done, but the work/expense trumps the reward IMHO.

Jeff

anyone notice the E/34 lion proofed sear ? MO used a lot of different sears in late production.

mauser99 said:

anyone notice the E/34 lion proofed sear ? MO used a lot of different sears in late production.

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I did notice the sear , did not think to mention it . I believe its the 1st I have seen on a HT
Glad You pointed that out !!!! I only care about the Sniper Aspect of the Rifles

My byf45 sear. SN 39915