Bnz 44

Vz24 · Aug 13, 2019

So I just bought this bnz 44 today, it’s on it’s way to my ffl now. It’s mostly mismatched parts from my understanding, the floor plate and barrel bands match, the receiver has no serial number but the barrel does, and the bolt is mismatched as well. I understand the Germans didn’t typically mismatch rifles, but this gun came from a collection of very nice k98’s, no import markings, no signs of capture I can spot. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

CanadianAR · Aug 13, 2019

Yes she’s all mixed up.

Receiver was originally a “large font” bnz44. Is right st the point where it could have been a Kriegsmodell, I have a bnz44 q block about 1000 later and is a Kriegsmodell.

It’s a nice looking rifle, good for learning and shooting!

flynaked · Aug 13, 2019

On the plus side though the stock appears to be original, Menzel stock used at Steyr. Welcome to the forum!

Vz24 · Aug 13, 2019

Thanks for the warm welcome!
And I agree.. the rifle looks great and the bore has been rated at a 9.5 out of 10 from a reputable seller.
Were Kreigsmodells ever known to have mismatched parts? Most uncaptured mausers seem to always atleast mostly match. I of course haven’t broken the rifle down yet, but it really makes me wonder where this mixmaster could’ve came from, without any evidence of being a capture rifle?

runner · Aug 14, 2019

Vz24 said:
Thanks for the warm welcome!
And I agree.. the rifle looks great and the bore has been rated at a 9.5 out of 10 from a reputable seller.
Were Kreigsmodells ever known to have mismatched parts? Most uncaptured mausers seem to always atleast mostly match. I of course haven’t broken the rifle down yet, but it really makes me wonder where this mixmaster could’ve came from, without any evidence of being a capture rifle?[/QUote

The rifle did not come from the factory with mis-matched parts. The rifle could well have been imported into the states before the law required import marks. My guess would be the parts were exchanged after it reached the states. This could have happened for multiple reasons. Original parts were misplaced or damaged, and replaced with whatever was available. In years past, matching numbers were not as meaningful to some as they are to most collectors today. If the stock is not original to the rifle, this could be a restored sporter, lots of people enjoy returning modified rifles to military configuration using period and maker correct parts.

heavy_mech · Aug 14, 2019

Vz24 said:
..I understand the Germans didn’t typically mismatch rifles, but this gun came from a collection of very nice k98’s

Welcome and nice looking rifle! Despite what some might have you believe the Germans did NOT mismatch rifles. At all. Period. No 'Russians beating down the door' nonsense from the Funshow carnival barkers. Just felt like I needed to get that out there. Certainly there were errors, especially towards the end and Steyr was among the worst but mismatching like this would not have happened.

As 2 the second part, this was just discussed again recently. There were a lot of big and fairly prestigious collections that had more than a few enhanced or otherwise not correct pieces. I missed this period but apparently ('80?) the trend was bright shiny blue and bleached, bottle blond stocks. Or so they tell me. Anyway your rifle is somewhat representative and with that barrel and bore should be a good shooter. The bolt body and collar at minimum are Radom parts so they are appropriate for a Steyr rifle. Enjoy!

Wondering if anyone has thoughts on the bolt flat?

Vz24 · Aug 14, 2019

Thanks for all the great responses, I figured from my research it’s not something the Germans did. As cool as it would be to say it was done in the field by an armorer, I know the reality is not that. This is my first K98 after searching for the right price for a long time, and I would say to have paid under 1k I feel like it still isn’t too bad of a deal. I especially like the history and rarity of large font bnz 44 rifles, and I plan on spending the big bucks oneday for an early matching example

Bnz 44

Vz24

Member

Attachments

CanadianAR

Canadian Grizzly Eh

flynaked

Repo Field Gear Collector

Vz24

Member

runner

Senior Member

heavy_mech

RKI- Reasonably Knowledgable Individual

Vz24

Member