BCD 4 buying decision

M

Maximo

Member
After thinking about buying an authentic K98 for a while now, I have stumbled across a rifle in a local gun shop.

Since it was the first time I have laid my hands upon a K98, I was not really sure what to look for when I inspected the gun.

Overall mechanics and barrel are in a good shape, the rifling was clearly visible and the bold operated smoothly. The safety lever was a little hard to pull.

Based on the information I received from the owner the gun was build by Gustloff in the 1940s and probably have been used in the war. The serial numbers are not matching.

There are several markigs on the gun, I am not sure what the relate to. Unfortunately I forgot to take some pictures of the gun and markings, as I was in a hurry and already running late.

I remember that the marking on the bridge of the receiver was bcd and simply a 4, which was slightly offset to the right. There were a lot of markings on the barrel, some of them have been added by the German authorities post-war which are necessary to legally use the gun.

I called the gun shop today and made an appointment for early next week for a closer inspection. I also asked for the serial number on the receiver 5501 with prefix w.

I have consulted several list with markings and serial numbers but the closest I could get, to narrow down the manufacturing date between 1942 and 1944. However, the 1944 versions should have been phosphated instead of blued. I am also not sure what the prefix w is about.

Could you give me some further advice what to check if I am inspecting the gun again?

The gun does not have to be a collectable with matching numbers, as I am planning to take it to the range. But I want it to be as authentic as possible.

I will be taking pictures of the gun next time so you are able to assess the overall condition.
 
photos would help.. there is a picture reference section here and your best bet is to study the photos there.. The W is a suffix and should be blued still at this point. Phosphate finish came rifle at the end of letter block production
 
1944 production. As mauser 99 stated, blued would be correct. Impossible to tell much else without detailed pictures of all marking including the stock. What is the shop asking for the rifle?
 
Buy next week you'll be extremely fortunate if he hasn't already sold it. o_O
In the mean time, as mauser 99 says, you can study the picture reference index here and learn exactly what a bcd4 98k should look like.
 
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Thanks for all the information and advice. I am studying the reference pictures today in more detail.

Most of the reference pictures show clear stamps of the eagle. The markings on this rifle are somewhat different, if I remember correctly.

Maybe there were different versions of the eagle stamp used during that time. The stamp looks like an eagle but does not have a swastika. I will check the reference pictures of other makes and see if I can find a similar logo. Hopefully its not some Frankstein gun, which was rebarreled post-war.


The asking price is 540 USD. The gun is on hold for me. But I feel some fear of missing out once in a while.. 😬

I will take pictures tomorrow, hopefully the iPhone is able to capture the markings.
 
I payed another visit to the gun shop and took some pictures of the rifle.

Based on all the things I have learned here. It seems it is based on a Gustloff but the parts have been randomly taken from another rifle. In addition there are some strange serials that must have been added later, as they are kind of bold.

But see for yourself:







These are markings from the German Beschussamt which have been added in 1971. No original markings on the barrel left except an 8.











 
No definitely not. I think its not worth it to spend that amount of money on that gun.

The restamping by the German Beschussamt is necessary in order to legally own/operate the gun. However, the rest seems also to be modified. Serial number on the bridge and bolt.


There was another nice K98 with matching numbers.. however it was rechambered to .308 ☹️.
 
I don't see it mentioned so will write it here: this is a wartime German Kar.98k which has been rebuilt, partially scrubbed, and renumbered by the Yugoslavians after the war. The serial numbers on the right of the receiver ring and down the bolt handle are Yugoslavian. You already know it has a postwar German firing proof. Most of this rifle's value is now as a shooter and not as a collectible.
 
Thanks for the clarification.

I will pass on this weapon. I would rather spend some more to get a non-matching with all original markings. That has nor been modified post-war, except for shooting proof.
 
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