Another 42 1940

[zf498]

To all,

When it rains it pours 42 1940s. This is one I couldn't pass up. Saw another at the same show but the bands were not correct so I bought this one which is all matching. Came from vet's son.

zf498

 

[heavy_mech]

Well isn't that a beauty! I notice the s/n matches the acceptance too! Nice score.

 

[moosedog]

You obviously have better gun shows than we have around here. Nice catch.

 

[sheepdog]

Metal looks awful glossy like it's been re blued. Don't know, could be the pictures.

 

[weekend shooter]

The surface is original. Brushed with some oil. That's why it shines.

 

[ac4142]

beautiful rifle. vet's son must've been hard up to sell his dad's rifle.

 

[mike radford]

Amazing quality. Thanks for posting that beauty.

 

[bayoned]

I have your gun's litter mate, identical in all respects and same condition. 9163kk.
These are beautifully made guns !!!!
Yours is superb !

 

[Remfan]

Great score for sure. Thanks for sharing your good fortune

 

[Hambone]

Metal looks awful glossy like it's been re blued. Don't know, could be the pictures.

That is a fairly common reaction. From 1940 production and prior, MO and MB particularly, had this high gloss commercial polish to the blued finish, like a Standard Modell or a Portugese contract. Usually, we see them dulled out due to handling, wear, oxidation and they don't look like this any longer. For example, many were turned off by this rifle because of the same impression, and that the stock had been cleaned. Stocks were final polished as well and finished:

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?5651-Opinions-on-this-K98-Navy-rifle-(ended-auction

Making it look shinier is the coat of oil on it. However, when you look at the areas that would otherwise provide the "tell", you can see that it is original finish. Again, Sheepdog, it's a reasonable assertion and question. I've had to do double takes too on these sometimes.

 

[zf498]

More pictures

NathanLM,

As requested, pictures of the flat butt plate and the spring steel sight protector. When did Mauser transition to the cupped butt plate and the spring steel sight protector? My band spring is also numbered to the rifle, #655.

Also shown here is the same picture of the rear sight as presented in the OP. I did a double take when looking at the left side of the picture as it appears that the stock is checkered. It is not, only the cross hatching of the leather sling. When I saw that, I panicked and had to check the stock immediately. Whew!

zf498

 

[Wolfsburg]

That is just an absolutely beautiful rifle!

 

[mauser202]

Great score. That is a rifle any of us would be proud to own.

 

[CanadianAR]

Beauty rifle!! Good score

 

[Tom H]

Wow that's nice

 

[my66coupe]

Nice example. My favorite code and year to collect. I had 3 at one point but traded for a missing byf42.

Hoods appear in late 1940 and cupped butt plates in 41. I'll have to look at the book later to see which specific letter blocks.