BYF45 Stone Mint - possibly unfired

K

K98 Fan

Well-known member
Hey guys, Thought I would post a few rifles and contribute to this great forum. First off is a stone mint BYF45 in unfired condition. This late war gun has many un-numbered parts, some being blued while others are parkerized. No stock disk or takedown hole in the butplate on this example. Bluing perfect throughout, an no wear on the follower. Typical chatter on the top of the receiver. 20250320_182216[1].jpg20250320_182239[1].jpg20250320_182311[1].jpg20250320_182325[1].jpg20250320_182338[1].jpg20250320_182355[1].jpg20250320_182409[1].jpg20250320_182416[1].jpg20250320_182450[1].jpg20250320_183019[1].jpgNice stock stampings as well. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
 
Im probably going to stir the pot here but im gonna say that one looks like the stock has been lightly cleaned, sanded and oiled. Its a bit too smooth for this late in the game. It also not being a fully Kriegsmodel is also suspect… pop the hood and see if the stock is internally serialed. Check under the buttplate if the stock is drilled for the takedown hole.
 
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mauser99 said:
the stock variant isnt common but the stock looks ok. the butt plate isnt correct it should have the hole. pull the butt plate off. Yes the stock has been stripped and bleached. Typically causing the white glue to separate.
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Agreed. Went through the reference material to check. Pretty rare configuration of stock that shows up in the no letter block of byf45 production. As mentioned, should have the buttplate drilled takedown hole according to “the books”.

Looks like a “sintered/pressed” metal front band so that’s pretty cool.

But yea…unfortunately while the metal is very nice, the stock has been sanded and aggressively cleaned probably with caustic chemicals. It’s basically bleached and those delams are not good news.
 
Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your rifle. It is very nice. However, it most certainly has been fired hence the crack at the wrist area. And I agree 100% that the stock has been cleaned or stripped of something. And the butt plate is incorrect.

So still a desirable rifle but not "untouched mint."
 
The recoil lug’s rivet like end (left) side has lost its blue. It’s the “high” spot that gets zipped if “something” gets dragged across the wood. Sandpaper is the extreme example of that “something”. Could be steel wood or other in this case.
 
Appreciate the comments guys. No hole in the wood under the but plate. Stock in un numbered as is the handguard. If it has been cleaned, it was done perfectly. And if it was lightly waxed, that's fine too. It may help keep the popcorn butter from soaking into it while i'm watching Enemy at the Gate.
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Scarce Mauser semi-kriegsmodell stock but yes the stock has been hit.
Metal mint but the bolt relief cutout is the first clue on whether a stock is factory original or not.
Near mint stock pic attached.
 

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K98 Fan said:
If it has been cleaned, it was done perfectly. And if it was lightly waxed, that's fine too.
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Well on that issue is where opinions will inevitably vary. The term “done perfectly” is subjective I suppose. I would strongly disagree. It’s been cleaned with something strong and definitely sanded. Most of us collectors here value the unmolested nature of a stock highly. Many top collectors won’t even touch an all matching rifle with a caustically cleaned and sanded stock. Especially when it comes to late war examples, the rough finish, sharper edges of a stock is what really is desirable to most. Let me put it this way, we have way more pristine metal barreled actions than original unmolested stocks. I have probably at least 5 late war matching barreled actions with mint bores sitting in my safe awaiting stocks….

I’m not trying to be negative and I’m glad you’re happy with the look of this stock. To me personally, it’s a travesty since this stock/rifle combo is considered rare. Value undoubtedly takes a hit. It’s a white glue laminate as well…
 
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Oof.. rough crowd here.. and I'm not saying I disagree with the feedback. I didn't say it was never fired as I have no way of knowing that. I thought it seemed to be in unfired condition with no wear on the follow bar or in the breach. That comes from a guy that doesn't collect rifles of any kind and knows close to nothing about these. I ended up with a few great guns by chance. Anyways... I don't see a need to carve any more out of the bolt releaf area when the bolt isn't hitting it anyways. See attached. There is already enough of a depression there. The bolt functions without issue so why fiddle-f around with that when you could be cranking out another rifle for the guys in the field. I'll still go with the fact that it could be a stock that shows up in the no-letter-block of byf45 production as stated above. Most likely cleaned and waxed at some point. Better than most of the garbage I saw at the SOS. I gotta say that I have learned quite a bit on this forum and am glad to be a member.

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