Authentic? Kar98k DOT 1943

[Johnbayou67]

Hello!
Just joined the forum.
Proud new owner of a Kar98k DOT 1943.
It has a lot of unfamiliar proof markings and was hoping y'all could help with the interpretation. (See pics) hopefully it is a legit purchase.

 

[Guillaume d'Orange]

Hello!
Just joined the forum.
Proud new owner of a Kar98k DOT 1943.
It has a lot of unfamiliar proof markings and was hoping y'all could help with the interpretation. (See pics) hopefully it is a legit purchase.

Well it looks like there are some civil German proof marks (post-war):
http://www.nramuseum.org/media/940944/proofmarks.pdf

 

[Johnbayou67]

Thanks for the quick response..
Any idea why it would have the post war markings?

 

[heavy_mech]

Any idea why it would have the post war markings?

Sold commercially in post-war Europe? British and German are the most commonly seen AFAIK.

 

[mb44kar]

Not sure about the details of the postwar commercial(?) stamps, but just wanted to make sure you know the stock is non-matching Yugo postwar, not correct on this rifle even if it was commercially stamped elsewhere.
Also I doubt the barrel is dot manufactured, I don't see the usual shield or the proper font. Maybe this was part of some import restrictions, a barrel replacement?
Neat machining on the barrel though.

 

[mrfarb]

East German reworked with added Yugo stock.


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[swjXE]

East German reworked with added Yugo stock.


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Call me crazy, but I think this would be kind of a cool gun if it had a more correct stock.

 

[Bob in OHIO]

The orig poster, asked about being authentic... what does that mean? If original from the factory in 1943, than a hefty no...

 

[Johnbayou67]

my question of authenticity was referring to if the rifle was scrubbed of markings and had some forgeries to make it appear as something it's not. The pointing out of the yugo stock for example. I fired it at the range for the first time yesterday. The rifle was a solid shooter, except for the fact of the bolt would stick a little during cycling of the rounds. When I dry cycle the rounds (with the safety on) it works smoothly. Thanks for the info men, this is good stuff.

 

[Herk1994]

I wonder, does the hand guard match the rifle?

Looks like a nice unique find overall with the markings, if the price was right of course, commensurate with the Yugo stock and whatever else has been swapped.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the stock if you’re just getting into the 98k realm. Not even close to being a dealbreaker for me, so long as it is advertised as such or the buyer understands what they’re getting.

I’ve found that a Yugo stock does just fine at the range, and is faithful to the overall look. Just isn’t the first thing a collector would care to see on a BYF 43, or any of the other WW2 98’s in their plethora of manufacturers and variations.

Nice rifle, take it to the range and let her breathe after you give it a good evaluation for safety.

 

[heavy_mech]

East German reworked..

Can you or anyone share what these are? I figured (correctly or not) the one group to be some post-war European proofs. The other (Mdll) I have no idea.

 

[daltrey99]

Can you or anyone share what these are? I figured (correctly or not) the one group to be some post-war European proofs. The other (Mdll) I have no idea. View attachment 240322View attachment 240323

East German proofs

 

[heavy_mech]

East German proofs

Ok cool. That's the 3 stack? Lion/firebird?? Who knows? Over crown over U. That's copied on the receiver and barrel. Do you know the [Mdll]? If that's even what that is

Thanks much for the reply. Just trying to educate myself a bit more on the subject

 

[Muncher 1953]

barrel marks

Can you or anyone share what these are? I figured (correctly or not) the one group to be some post-war European proofs. The other (Mdll) I have no idea. View attachment 240322View attachment 240323

my non-expert observation is that the “Mdll” is actually “Mdl” in a rectangular box, only partly formed on the curved surface, and somewhat obscured by the turning marks (very deep).

Other eyes may see something different!

 

[heavy_mech]

..the 3 stack? Lion/firebird?? Who knows? Over crown over U. That's copied on the receiver and barrel.

Looks to me like this is what I see.


Still nothing on the [Mdl] or [Mdll]

 

[Herk1994]

Ahah, so I thought I had seen this same proof mark a while back in another forum. “MDI” I believe is a DDR (East German) proof that stands for Ministerium Des Innern. It denotes this rifle could have been used by one of many MDI Bewaffneten organizations like the police or customs to name a couple.

 

[Johnbayou67]

So I have a rifle with dual proof stamps. Having east german DDR markings, Does this make my rifleman unique or rare in any way?

 

[Herk1994]

So I have a rifle with dual proof stamps. Having east german DDR markings, Does this make my rifleman unique or rare in any way?

Your rifle began its life serving the German army in WW2, obviously. After the war, she was reworked and put into further service on the communist side, how ironic right? What you have there is a rifle with known history, and THAT is what this hobby is all about. Really cool to be completely honest, I wouldn’t even worry about authenticity if I was you. It’s a very slippery slope of a word, especially in this modern collectors market. You have a great rifle there. It’s honest and it has history. Even if the stock isn’t correct, yeah it’s not preferable as I previously stated, but it’s okay just the way it is too. Hell, there’s an entire market of people that chase down East German re-work 98k’s. I’d keep it in your collection and expand from it. I really don’t know very much to be honest, I’m young and semi-new to the hobby. Best thing to do is keep visiting these forums and learn more. Oh and keep building your collection, but do your research before you buy, always.

 

[Johnbayou67]

It will complement my AK47 and East German military gear collection. Thanks for the help men!

 

[runner]

Just noticed the floor plate is Imperial proofed.