My First K98, byf 43

[tharpo]

Recently picked up my first K98, an all matching byf 43. Serial number 34728h. Many thanks to mdarnell19 and mrfarb for answering all my questions. Here are pics of the markings.
Tom

 

[the Dane]

Congratulation, that's a very nice byf 43, I would be happy to own it

 

[oldcorps]

Very nice!

 

[Kammerjaeger]

You have done well, that is a really nice byf43. Kudos to you for asking questions first and, for asking the right guys. Welcome to the collective. BTW, if you haven’t bought Volumes 1-3 of Mike & Bruces books, IMO, they should be on your to do list. They are invaluable.


KJ

 

[Tom H]

Cool rifle, well done.

 

[DaveDavis]

Welcome to "The Addiction", it will keep you off the streets, and out of the bars at night, but you will find yourself chasing that next high that comes with finding that one piece you do not own......

 

[tanker1]

Very nice first rifle!

 

[mdarnell19]

Great looking rifle and good pictures. After seeing these pictures I would not fix the duffel cut. I think it is a neat part of the history of the rifle but that's just me. Others here can give their opinion on weather to fix a duffel cut or not.

Congrats! Now get to work finding another one.

 

[tanker1]

I didn't see a duffle cut?

 

[mdarnell19]

Behind the rear band

 

[tanker1]

I didn't see it in the pics, but if done according to Hambones instructions it will not be noticeable as it isn't really noticeable now. Just my opinion.

 

[Hambone]

Well done Tom, textbook byf 43 h block. On the "duffle cut" I've fixed a couple and left others alone as part of their history. If you aren't going to shoot it and it isn't flopping about maybe leave it be. Fixing it properly is an involved process. Nice rifle and well done.

 

[tanker1]

I repaired mine because it was loose. I used 2 stainless pins, a brass ribbed ferrule, epoxy and a slice of wood. The slice of wood is import to make up for the kerf cut by the saw. Fortunately, it was a neat cut under the band.

 

[tharpo]

Welcome to "The Addiction", it will keep you off the streets, and out of the bars at night, but you will find yourself chasing that next high that comes with finding that one piece you do not own......

As a Mauser Luger collector I'm fully aware of the need to keep buying more!!
I have purchased and read Vol. 2 of the K98 book but there is nothing like the help of some guys with lots of K98 knowledge to answer questions.
The gun does have a duffle cut under the rear band and I have been fluctuating back and forth on what to do. I did put a 1/4 inch brass tube in the cleaning rod channel which seems to have helped keep the wood together. I had hoped to shoot the rifle but I definitely don't want to damage it.

Tom

 

[tanker1]

If you fire it, you will definitely need to correctly attach it for a more stable way. That tube won't hold it.

 

[BadAim]

Great job. That's a lot better than a lot of guys first K98.

 

[heavy_mech]

Great first rifle! I agree that this is much better than most peoples first choice. Curious was this a local purchase or local gun shop? And it's certainly good to have a keen set of eyes looking something over for you.

 

[M1903A3]

Great first rifle! The people here are very good with new collectors and I can say we all want to help people avoid fakes and junk. Your rifle is excellent! Look at the striations on that front band, very nice indeed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ac4142]

"As a Mauser Luger collector I'm fully aware of the need to keep buying more!"

mauser luger collector and EXPERT you mean! congrats on a nice rifle tharpo!!

 

[tharpo]

One additional note on the gun.
When I purchased it I was not aware of the duffle cut. When I first dissembled it out fell a 1945 Lincoln penny. I can only guess that the vet who did the duffle cut put the penny in as a spacer. The dings are from the cleaning rod.

Tom