Kriegsmodell byf45 without French [star] modified proof mark

[Jupp]

Hello everybody

I am a newbie on the forum.

I have a K98k - "Kriegsmodell" - which was most likely produced at Mauser (byf 45) in 1945.
It has German accepting and firing markings (see pictures).

However, it was obviously a French Capture German K98k, since it is “modified” with only the MAS 36 sling cutout.
It has neither a stacking rod, nor a winter trigger guard, nor a French [star] modified proof mark on the left side of the receiver.

Numbers are not matching, a circumstance, which I suppose was quite normal for this late period in production.
The stock is not marked, however I haven' t looked inside yet.

- Are all markings original German?
- How comes, that this K98k has no French [star] modified proof mark?
- Why is the metal of the exctractor at the bolt (right side) and the release lever (left side) in a braun-red finish?
- Is it a walnut- or laminated stock?

I would appreciate any helpful comment, which could help to reveal the story behind this weapon.


Best Regards,

Jupp

 

[mrfarb]

Only those rifles/pistols manufactured during the French occupation will have the star instead of the Reichsadler firing proof. If a rifle was captured with the Nazi firing proofs the rifle was used as it, such as this rifle.

 

[GunKraut]

Willkommen beim K98K Forum!

The hand guard is made from laminate beechwood. There's too much varnish on the stock to tell the wood it is made of, but it's definitely not laminate. It doesn't look like walnut to me either, more like solid beechwood. The bolt has the original Mauser Oberndorf "RW" inspection proof. The brownish tint is caused by manganese content of the steel alloy to achieve higher tensile strength. It is often found in small parts used as leaf springs.

 

[Jupp]

Theater of operations?

Only those rifles/pistols manufactured during the French occupation will have the star instead of the Reichsadler firing proof. If a rifle was captured with the Nazi firing proofs the rifle was used as it, such as this rifle.

@mrfarb:
Thx for the quick response!

Do you think it is possible to trace - alone by the version of this Mauser (95% Kriegsmodell, only french cutout) - by whom and where it was used?
(e.g. Légion étrangère in Indochine)

 

[Jupp]

Willkommen beim K98K Forum!

The hand guard is made from laminate beechwood. There's too much varnish on the stock to tell the wood it is made of, but it's definitely not laminate. It doesn't look like walnut to me either, more like solid beechwood. The bolt has the original Mauser Oberndorf "RW" inspection proof. The brownish tint is caused by manganese content of the steel alloy to achieve higher tensile strength. It is often found in small parts used as leaf springs.

@GunKraut:
Thx for the helpful answers, amazing!
I found by now that RW my stands either for "Rudolf Weiss", a Mauser employee and inspector, or for "Werk's Revision" (factory revision).
- What could the mark (...looks like a crown) on the right side of the receiver beneath the WaA-eagle be?
- Regarding the stock: I thought it is entirely made out of one piece, isn' t it?

 

[RH Scott]

@mrfarb:
Thx for the quick response!

Do you think it is possible to trace - alone by the version of this Mauser (95% Kriegsmodell, only french cutout) - by whom and where it was used?
(e.g. Légion étrangère in Indochine)

Not likely.