DOT 1944 Pictures/Questions

[2ndGaCav]

I have a DOT 1944 that I am trying to understand. Pictures are attached. Serial Number 6868, no letter block. Most parts appear to match, but I am trying to understand which parts have no numbers and should, which parts appear to be replacement, and when (approximately) this rifle was made during 1944, because it is so confusing to me how the serial numbering worked for Brunn 1 during 1944. So to the questions I have:

1) I know the stock has been sanded, and it looks like it was varnished at one point. It has no serial number (and neither does the handguard), but it does have the "DOT" on the heal, a Heer mark and a "7" in the sling slot. It is also dated October 24, 1944 in pencil (with someone's initials) under the butt plate. Could this be the original stock, or is it a replacement?

2) The barrel bands are stamped and unmarked. The finish appears to match the rifle, but it is unclear to me if they bands should be numbered for this rifle, and if the upper band should be a speed milled band or a stamped band.

3) The safety is not matching, but should the safety be numbered to the rifle or unnumbered?

4) The barrel appears to be a Ruhrstahl barrel (see the Waffenampt 13 on the Barrel, and it is stamped "AVK B" underneath). Was this likely the original barrel for this rifle, or could it have been an arsenal replacement of some sort?

5) Related to the above, the stock is not drilled for a cleaning rod, which I would assume makes sense if the rifle as made in October 1944, but perhaps not if made earlier. I am just confused as to when a four-digit, no letter block DOT 1944 was made. Sometimes, it seems like they may have been made early in 1944 (if no letter block rifles were made before the letter blocks started with "a"), and other times, I find folks saying that DOT 1944s started with the "v" letter block, then proceeded through the "aa-az" letter blocks, then went to no letter block, four-digits (like mine), then no letter block, five digits, then five digit letter blocks until the war ended. Can anyone help my confusion?

Sorry for my ignorance. I am relatively new to K98k rifles, and I am trying to learn. Anything else you can tell me about this rifle would be appreciated. I intended to have it as a shooter, but if it should not be treated that way, then please advise. First 10 pics below....More coming after that....

Thanks in advance. German firearms are fascinating!

 

[2ndGaCav]

More pics. Thanks, everyone!

 

[bruce98k]

The 5-digit barrel serialed rifles preceded the last production block which were the 'a' block 5-digit run with dot 1944/swp 45 mixed run.
The gun appears to be all correct save for the cleaned stock which is likely original.
The stock and handguard should not be serial numbered, along with all of the stock hardware (tg, fp, and bands).
The Kriegsmodell stocks appear much later in the first 5-digit run, likely in the 70 thous. range.

Estimated time frame for when your rifle was assembled is very late 1944 (Oct-Nov).

 

[mb44kar]

As Bruce said, looks all good. I can't add anything but maybe expand on some of your original questions:

1) The pencil marks and stamp in the sling cutout is original, don't worry. Because of the lack of s/n on stock and stock parts you have to use other clues as to the originality of the stock on this rifle like fit and finish, how the handguard mates to the stock when put together on the rifle, grease marks, etc. And as Bruce said, this one looks original to the rifle.

3) I don't think you generally find serials on the safeties, none of my dot 1944's in the no-letter-block have serialed safeties and many are actually subcontracted e/37 safeties.

5) Related to the above, the stock is not drilled for a cleaning rod, which I would assume makes sense if the rifle as made in October 1944, but perhaps not if made earlier. I am just confused as to when a four-digit, no letter block DOT 1944 was made. Sometimes, it seems like they may have been made early in 1944 (if no letter block rifles were made before the letter blocks started with "a"), and other times, I find folks saying that DOT 1944s started with the "v" letter block, then proceeded through the "aa-az" letter blocks, then went to no letter block, four-digits (like mine), then no letter block, five digits, then five digit letter blocks until the war ended. Can anyone help my confusion?

5) The not-drilled-for-cleaning rod is correct, that was a transitional feature when "dot" was switching over from regular stocks to their final semi-kriegsmodell configuration.
As for serial numbers, your first guess is how it regularly works for most manufacturers, and your second guess is how it actually worked for "dot" in 1944. They just did it weird.

This looks like a very nice starter rifle for a collection, or if you only want one this is a nice representative piece from a common manufacturer code/year pair. I personally wouldn't use it as a shooter because it's all matching and looks original, and to be honest the sanding and cleaning on the stock looks relatively light. Bolt cutout looks good too. But with a sanded stock, it could go either way since it's not quite a museum piece anymore.

 

[2ndGaCav]

Thank you both very much for the information and your expertise. I am happy to hear that it is likely a correct stock and parts. Thanks also for clearing up my confusion over DOT1944 serial numbering.

I saw from a Google search that one of the "more popular" retail sellers of collectible German (and other) firearms suggests that a DOT1944 with a Ruhrstahl barrel is somewhat rare and special. Is there anything to this statement? Can anyone tell me more about a Ruhrstahl barrel and how it got from the Ruhr to Brunn 1 for assembly?

Thanks again, and Happy Fourth of July, Everyone!

 

[2ndGaCav]

I just realized I did not upload a picture of the initials and date under the Butt Plate. That is attached.

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[mauser99]

this is the date and possibly the inspectors or finishers initials. Most all dot44's have this scribbled under the but plate. Makes for good research on stock finishing and assembly date.