I found this one after finding a Hungarian 43M with the same type and style of markings. To summarize, the Hungarians (and especially their Soviet occupiers) had access to a huge amount of small arms following the Siege of Budapest. At some point, the Hungarians were entrusted with bolt action rifles of various types, but especially K98k's and 43M's. It appears that the K98k's were scrubbed of German markings and switched over to an underslung sling arrangement, as opposed to the typical left side carry of K98k's. This included the attachment of a sling loop on the bottom of K98k rear barrel bands. The rifles appear to have been cobbled together from parts of donor rifles, and could even mix K98k with 43M parts. From surviving period photos, it appears that rifles like these were used in Hungary prior to the use of Soviet small arms.
A number of markings were added to the receivers and stocks, none of which are seen on original WWII-era rifles of either type. These included a small stamp on the receiver of an upper case R in a rounded triangle, an added number across the bottom third of butt plates preceded by another upper case R, and a circle stamp on the left side of butt stocks of yet another R inside a circle, with a three pronged device above the R. It's not known exactly what the significance is of the R, but an association with the post-war Rendörség (Hungarian Police) is entirely possible.
This particular K98k has a Romanian Vz.24 bolt, which is not surprising considering the types of troops (combat and second/third line) trapped inside Budapest during the siege, and the Soviet use of Romanian troops in the invasion of Hungary. The top and side rail of the receiver have been scrubbed, except for a 1944 date at the lower portion of the receiver. These rifles seem to have occupied a temporary, place holding role prior to the forced adoption of more modern Soviet weapons. I've not seen any of these with import markings either, suggesting a pre-1968 importation into the USA. These crop up from time to time, but are easy to miss and even easier to dismiss as just another scrubbed, cobbled K98k. The addition of the bottom loop on the rear barrel band and the stock keel are dead giveaways, confirmed by the added R markings.
A number of markings were added to the receivers and stocks, none of which are seen on original WWII-era rifles of either type. These included a small stamp on the receiver of an upper case R in a rounded triangle, an added number across the bottom third of butt plates preceded by another upper case R, and a circle stamp on the left side of butt stocks of yet another R inside a circle, with a three pronged device above the R. It's not known exactly what the significance is of the R, but an association with the post-war Rendörség (Hungarian Police) is entirely possible.
This particular K98k has a Romanian Vz.24 bolt, which is not surprising considering the types of troops (combat and second/third line) trapped inside Budapest during the siege, and the Soviet use of Romanian troops in the invasion of Hungary. The top and side rail of the receiver have been scrubbed, except for a 1944 date at the lower portion of the receiver. These rifles seem to have occupied a temporary, place holding role prior to the forced adoption of more modern Soviet weapons. I've not seen any of these with import markings either, suggesting a pre-1968 importation into the USA. These crop up from time to time, but are easy to miss and even easier to dismiss as just another scrubbed, cobbled K98k. The addition of the bottom loop on the rear barrel band and the stock keel are dead giveaways, confirmed by the added R markings.
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