ar 44 questions

[bampa]

I found what I think is a correct ar 44 that was made at Mauser Oberndorf in 1945. It has the no-letter serial number of 9683 and, according to the "Kriegsmodell" reference book, it also has most of the characteristics usually identified with a 1945 byf no-letter K98. But then again, I'm no expert and would like some opinions from those of you who are experts.

The receiver is ar 44 marked with an e/135 above the ar. The receiver right side has e/26 and e/135 stamps. The barrel is stamped 44D853 with a byf shield. The bolt body, shroud, cocking piece and firing pin are numbered and match the receiver serial number. The safety is not numbered but has a e/135 stamp. The bolt also has the MI stamp, indicating FN production? The trigger sear area is ch marked with an e/140, and the trigger itself has what looks like an e/18. These also indicate FN production, right?

The standard laminated stock has no serial number but does have a smudged green stamp in the channel. It has no stamps on the right butt flat. However, the keel has one waffenamt, but I can't make out the number. Could it be a J.P. Sauer stock? (Please see first two photos.) The front band is pressed and not numbered, and the middle band is milled and not numbered. Both appear to be blued. The bayonet lug has a phosphate finish and is not numbered. The triggerguard assembly is byf stamped with e/135 proofs.

It is duffle cut and came with a sling and rod, both of which are not marked that I can see, but which look original. The sling is solid but scuffed. The rifle is missing the handguard and one action screw. Overall, the rifle is somewhat rough, but it should clean up a bit and be decent. The photos make it look worse than it actually does. The bore is very good.

The son-in-law of a vet sold it to an acquaintance of mine, and I bought it from him for $400.

I have a few questions:

1. Is it a "correct" ar 44/byf 45?
2. If so or not, what sort of value does it have? I know people hate the value question, but I'm just asking for my own curiosity. I am not selling it.
3. The duffle cut has not been repaired. It is a clean cut and under the band. Should I glue the stock back together or leave it?
4. Does anyone have the correct handguard for this that they would sell to me? I know I could get one from "Liberty Tree" or someplace similar, but I would like to make sure to get a correct un-numbered one — red glue, I think? I also need a front action screw, which is no big deal.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[bampa]

More photos....

 

[RyanE]

This is a hand stamped series rifle from late 1944. Along with the n block, most seem to be built from leftovers, rejects, and other oddities Mauser was clearing out. Your stock is correct, and appears to have the appropriate WaA135 on the side. The stocks on these are so rough that the stamps are sometimes lost in the chatter.

Is the safety numbered or blank? Pretty sure the bands and floorplate were still numbered on these as well as the safety. Very similar one Bruce posted several years ago: http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?1932-Oberndorf-byf44-hand-stamped-series

EDIT: Well, it looks like Bruce posted another ar44 that is basically identical with unnumbered sintered bands like yours: http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread...d-another-possible-rule-breaker.&daysprune=-1

 

[Pisgah]

It looks like a hand stamp but is more similar to an n block or byf 45 no block in terms of late features. I think it is white glue and not red glue.

 

[jbmauser]

Very cool handstamp ar44. Looks correct as Ryan and Pisgah mentioned. I have one just over a thousand earlier than yours and it shares many of the same features.

At 400 you absolutely stole it.

 

[Pisgah]

I agree with all of the above (Jeremy and Ryan). I will add a couple of things. Every matching n block I have seen has been white glue and in a standard stock. N blocks have unnumbered safeties, trigger guards, floor plates, and bands. Bampa's rifle looks like it's safety has a Waffenamt. That is likely an armourer part and would be appropriate for a rifle assembled in the L block or later. I would be curious to know where this rifle's barrel code places it. The hand stamps and n blocks have always been interesting to me as they beg the questions of why they were manufactured and whether they were assembled in a parallel manner to regular Mauser Oberndorf production or if they are something else.

 

[jbmauser]

I'm not quite ready to post mine yet (still need to complete the stock repair) but it is nearly identical to bampa's. Mine has a white glue, MO standard stock, blued FN bolt, phosphate rear bolt half with e/135 safety, phosphate byf non locking tg and fp. Barrel code is 44R325.

I also find these hand stamp series, both the early and late pattern ones to be an interesting subject.

 

[Warrior1354]

Wow that is a really nice AR44 code K98k for its age. Not a easy code too come by either let alone it being mostly almost matching. Missing the hand-guard big deal usually can find them between $25-$40. Is this your first K98k by the way?

 

[bampa]

Wow that is a really nice AR44 code K98k for its age. Not a easy code too come by either let alone it being mostly almost matching. Missing the hand-guard big deal usually can find them between $25-$40. Is this your first K98k by the way?

No, it's not my first K98. I have several, but nothing too spectacular. I'm sort of a general-purpose WWI and WWII militaria collector. Thanks for all the replies so far....

 

[Warrior1354]

Well thats still good hear! I myself collect rifles from both World Wars. So I believe they are all interesting too collect and study. My problem never could just collect the same type of rifle either.

 

[mauser99]

As far as value I have seen similar examples sell recently in the 1600.00 range. There is also a MM bolt ar44 on GB right now that's very similar to this rifle.
Thought it was the same one before I read the post

it did sell for 799.00 gb # 543603564