FINALLY, my first Non-RC "Bolt M/M" rifle

[artyldr01]

More PICS added: FINALLY, my first Non-RC "Bolt M/M" rifle

The long wait is over! Thanks to a great member here I am in possession of my first non-RC K98k. A beautiful 1943 byf Mauser Oberndorf bolt mismatch. I haven't done my own photo shoot yet (to be corrected SOON) so these pics are from the seller. She is just a clean, classic rifle. The hood and rod were added but original. I also purchased an original sling (I did post a picture of the manufacturer if anyone can help ID it).

It has a very cool SN: 19443. The bolt SN is 9165 (or perhaps 9765?). If I am learning properly is it possible that the bolt sn is only 278 (or 322) off from the rifle?
Anyway, I'll post detailed pics soon but wanted to share, especially if it helps anyone's research. Any information or thoughts are appreciated!

 

[artyldr01]

a few more pics

Here are some more.

 

[Gunnut]

Looks like a nice rifle to me, how is the bore? Looks like your bolt has a letter suffix after the s.n. and the rifle does not, if so your bolt would be in a different s.n. block. I have two bolt mm rifles, both bring backs and one is my best shooter. Congrats on your find.

 

[mto7464]

Nice rifle,

 

[bjarne]

..............................

Sweet rifle congrats with it

 

[artyldr01]

Yes, yes it is!

Nice rifle,

It is a great rifle! You can feel the history!

 

[artyldr01]

Didn't even notice!

Looks like a nice rifle to me, how is the bore? Looks like your bolt has a letter suffix after the s.n. and the rifle does not, if so your bolt would be in a different s.n. block. I have two bolt mm rifles, both bring backs and one is my best shooter. Congrats on your find.

I didn't even see the suffix on the bolt handle root. I saw the four digits everywhere else. I can't make out the letter, doesn't even really look like a letter but matters not to me. Would have been pretty cool though.

The bore is excellent! As a guy who has been collecting Mosin Nagants, especially Finnish captured, seeing a nice bore is a bit of a shocker! It really is great. Even my RC has a great bore.

 

[mto7464]

There is a maker of slings that may be what it is:
Carl Heinichen of Dresden but it does look like an S not a c

Makes you wonder if they survived the fire bombing.

 

[artyldr01]

I need better eyes!

There is a maker of slings that may be what it is:
Carl Heinichen of Dresden but it does look like an S not a c

Makes you wonder if they survived the fire bombing.

I could read it but was having trouble making it out. Thank you!

It does make you wonder about Dresden. The interesting thing to me about collecting non-US weapons is that it has made me really think and want to study or understand the other perspectives beyond what our standard US history perspective is. It becomes clearer that history is written by the victors so that the adversary may seen through a biased lens or often times forgotten/erased as "first person" participants die.

 

[Turbo Archie]

Nice Gun!!



I don't understand the stock numbering

..

 

[artyldr01]

Stock Serial Numbered

Nice Gun!!



I don't understand the stock numbering

..

Its the rifle SN 19443

 

[artyldr01]

More pics.

Here are a few more pics. I believe the small mark/logo on the barrel is a Ruhrstahl "Bat" logo, there is also a plain "R" next to WaA 135. Otherwise this rifle is very devoid of markings. Pretty typical for 1943 and later rifles. Handguard and stock channels have matching SN. Stock also has what appears to be a pencil written "V." Trigger bar "43" marked. Under the buttplate is the letter "H" and another number (not SN) which I presume to be a tracking number during production. The remnants of the red primer and the swastika from the WaA stamp are present on the underside of the buttplate.

Just a clean and pretty rifle! I am thrilled with her.

Now...the hunt for a converted Gewehr 98 or other Weimar marked Karbine!

 

[Turbo Archie]

Its the rifle SN 19443

I know, but they didn't do that in 1943...



..

 

[mto7464]

This rifle was discussed once before and the serialed stock was assumed to be from maybe a repair at some point. IIRC

 

[artyldr01]

Would replacement stocks also be stamped in the channels? Of course could just be during transition timeframe or possibly worker forgot and stamped it? Who knows for sure.

 

[Loewe]

Are you speaking of the "WR" (Waffen Revision) on the bottom of the rearsight sleeve? That is an internal MO marking unrelated to the barrel or another firm.

The barrel is right for the first block of byf/43, - MO dropped dates & lots and used this abbreviated BC form for a short time in 1942, this is a barrel made in 1942 by MO (byf). This was part of the changes brought on by the December 1941 decree, but by late in 1942 MO went back to dates & lots on their barrels.

The "bat" logo, something Ken Huddle use to call them before we (Joe Steen) figured out what it actually was, is actually the Lübeck Gate, - Ruhrstahl is sometimes associated with this logo because Ruhrstahl supplied many of the raw forgings and their code is on the barrel, whereas the actual maker (and the purpose of the Gate) isn't.. the Gate logo is a BLM's mark, their rifle factory was located in Lübeck, but this barrel is the original barrel made by MO using a Ruhrstahl raw forging.

Here are a few more pics. I believe the small mark/logo on the barrel is a Ruhrstahl "Bat" logo, there is also a plain "R" next to WaA 135. Otherwise this rifle is very devoid of markings.

 

[artyldr01]

Thank You

I appreciate the expertise. I am very happy with this rifle...I can't wait to get my books too. Knowledge is power!