45Smashemflat
Active member
Ok, I think I have the correct spring on the way, along with a tub of Devcon. Making progress!
BYF 43, Grandpa’s gun
- Thread starter 45Smashemflat
- Start date
45Smashemflat
Active member
Woo hoo! New spring arrived and quick dry fit shows I’m on the right track! Devcon epoxy is on order, just hasn’t arrived yet.
Ive got brass tubing and screws/threaded rod already cut and the stock drilled, just need the epoxy and some time for the next steps.
Big thanks for all the help offered here!
Ive got brass tubing and screws/threaded rod already cut and the stock drilled, just need the epoxy and some time for the next steps.
Big thanks for all the help offered here!
RazorBurn
Senior Member
Sorry I missed this. I just wiped it down lightly with gun oil. I didn't want to do anything to harm the original finish of the wood. Glad to see you're getting it back together.
45Smashemflat
Active member
Hey folks, I think I have all the correct parts, and the Devcon arrived today. My plan is to start the full repair this weekend.
Question, the rifle is marked BYF 43. The serial number has no letters, 6401. Is there any additional details that can be gleaned from this other than a 1943 manufacture?
Question, the rifle is marked BYF 43. The serial number has no letters, 6401. Is there any additional details that can be gleaned from this other than a 1943 manufacture?
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
that’s what’s referred to as a “no letter block” rifle, the first 9999 rifles of the production year had no letter, the next ‘block’ of 10,000 had a suffix ‘a’ etc skipping over ‘j’. in a large production year, the factory might start over using 2 suffix letters. a no letter block rifle would have been January, most likely. later in the war (‘43-‘44) some factories went to 5 digit sn’s + a letter.
45Smashemflat
Active member
Thanks!
45Smashemflat
Active member
Locally, I’ve only been able to find Yugoslav FMJ surplus ammo. Any recommendations for “test ammo” once I have this one repaired? Not planning any serious range sessions or anything, but would like to pop it off a little. Not sure if any other stuff was out there besides Privi Partisan maybe?
45Smashemflat
Active member
Just a quick thanks to the experts on this board and the details and stickies posted throughout. This is a great reference. I don’t plan to be a huge collector or anything, but getting this rifle back into ”working shape” along with replacing the missing parts has been gratifying.
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iron bender
750 Press Operator
The repair looks stout! Really good work
45Smashemflat
Active member
45Smashemflat
Active member
Yup yup, he has a great "how to" posted here.
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Muncher 1953
Senior Member
hunt around for PPU ammo, either fmj or soft point. serbian made, its not particularly ‘hot’ & the brass is good for reloading. generally low/mid price point. search online, i’ve used ‘ammoseek’, there are others, listing sellersv& their prices. SGammo in OK often has stock & best $$. dont waste your $$ on ‘match grade’ of any brand.(imo)
whcoyote
Well-known member
I think that in 1943, Mauser Oberndorf changed their numbering method. Each letter block had 100,000 numbers and the suffixes denoted the month of production. They changed suffixes each month. For instance, January had no letter suffix, February was “a”, Narch was “b”, etc., through “l” for December.
It’s explained on page 254 of Vol IIa of “Karibiner 98k” ( Kareem & Steve’s book).
It’s explained on page 254 of Vol IIa of “Karibiner 98k” ( Kareem & Steve’s book).
