Missing Front sight hand gaurd retainer

[CrayolaVeteran]

Just picked up a ‘43 Gustloffwerke 98k and the front sight handguard retainer ring is missing. Anyone know where I can pick up surplus ones? I’ve looked around but can’t seem to locate just that piece. I am somewhat of a newbie so I may just not be aware of the best recourses. The rifle is completely matching as well so I’d really hate to have to get a new complete rear sight base and effectively mismatch the gun.

 

[krukster86]

As far as I know, the entire rear sight base needs to be replaced. A skilled gunsmith may potentially be able to do some magic to use a spare base to reattach one to yours perhaps?

 

[Stan]

To what extent has the rifle been sportered? Usually, if the rear sight base handguard lip has been ground off the rifle will be missing the handguard, upper and lower bands and possible cut off forend. Most of which are numbers matching parts. If they are missing, replacing the rear sight base would not be a major issue at that point.

 

[biggymu]

Please post pictures of all numbered parts

 

[CrayolaVeteran]

To what extent has the rifle been sportered? Usually, if the rear sight base handguard lip has been ground off the rifle will be missing the handguard, upper and lower bands and possible cut off forend. Most of which are numbers matching parts. If they are missing, replacing the rear sight base would not be a major issue at that point.

It is possible the stock has been replaced but it is an original German production stock. If it was sportered at one point it’s been restored to original factory pattern. Lower barrel band is present as well. Floor plate, rear sight base and sight, bolt, safety, barrel, and receiver all have matching numbers.

 

[Navy87Guy]

Floor plate, rear sight base and sight, bolt, safety, barrel, and receiver all have matching numbers.

Not quite the same thing as the “completely matching” you stated in your first post. Having numbered parts that match versus having all the numbered parts makes a big difference. The stock and the inside of the handguard should be numbered to the rifle. Are they? The front and rear bands should also be numbered to the rifle.

If it’s not a complete matching rifle, then one more mismatched part won’t matter. Personally, I’d rather have the handguard properly secured than have the rear sight number match. YMMV.

 

[CrayolaVeteran]

Not quite the same thing as the “completely matching” you stated in your first post. Having numbered parts that match versus having all the numbered parts makes a big difference. The stock and the inside of the handguard should be numbered to the rifle. Are they? The front and rear bands should also be numbered to the rifle.

If it’s not a complete matching rifle, then one more mismatched part won’t matter. Personally, I’d rather have the handguard properly secured than have the rear sight number match. YMMV.

I gave the stock a once over and found no numbers whatsoever but I figured that’s normal since, to my understanding, they stopped numbering stocks starting in ‘43 and switched to only numbering the barrel channel. Of which that does match. I did forget to mention the lower barrel band but that is indeed matched as well.

 

[Navy87Guy]

Yes - inside the stock channel and inside the handguard would be correct. It’s too bad…it looks like a nice rifle otherwise.

 

[Stan]

The stock and handguard would be numbered internally only in 1943. Numbers would be inside the barrel channel on both pieces. A good chance the stock was replaced as it probably is a restored sporter. You would only need to replace the rear sight base with the lip. The rest of the matching number sight components could be transferred to the new base.