Need help identifying my k98k

[Mattk98k_44]

I know my rifle is a byf 44 production with a matching serial number on the bolt, receiver, and floorplate.

However I have a early or pre war stock, barrel bands, and butt plate. All of these have a WaA 63 marking.

Any insight to its potential history will be very helpful. I can't find any signs of Russian or yugo capture. I hope everything is easy to see on the photos. My phone is s little old and I'm very new here.

Thank you in advance

 

[grimlin13]

The serial number stamped into the side of the stock looks like a sign of Russian capture. The Germans did not do that. I will let some of our K98 experts comment further.

 

[Remfan]

Yeah stock has the Weimar Eagles it appears

 

[Mattk98k_44]

The serial number stamped into the side of the stock looks like a sign of Russian capture. The Germans did not do that. I will let some of our K98 experts comment further.

But didn't the Russians mark the receiver with an X? I can't find anything like that. And usually the bolt would be mismatched to the rifle right?

 

[grimlin13]

They did not always mark them with an X on the receiver, just as they did not always peen any of German eagles that were on the rifle. I have seen RCs with all of the eagles obliterated and others with them all intact. Same goes for the X. And yes the bolt on an RC would more than likely be a mismatch and a jumble of parts throughout. But, I have seen an RC that was not a total Frankenstein. There might be one posted somewhere at this forum that has minimal Russian alterations.
The other thing is, just because the stock is RC does not mean the receiver is RC. Some previous owner may have had the hardware but not a stock. Found this one and used it.
You said in your op that there was no signs of RC, I simply pointed out that there is a sign of RC on this rifle and it is on the stock. Not here to argue the point, but to make a statement about the serial number on the side of the stock. I am not a K98 expert, my main interest is the S84/98 III bayonet, but I know when something has been touched on by Ivan.

 

[Mattk98k_44]

They did not always mark them with an X on the receiver, just as they did not always peen any of German eagles that were on the rifle. I have seen RCs with all of the eagles obliterated and others with them all intact. Same goes for the X. And yes the bolt on an RC would more than likely be a mismatch and a jumble of parts throughout. But, I have seen an RC that was not a total Frankenstein. There might be one posted somewhere at this forum that has minimal Russian alterations.
The other thing is, just because the stock is RC does not mean the receiver is RC. Some previous owner may have had the hardware but not a stock. Found this one and used it.
You said in your op that there was no signs of RC, I simply pointed out that there is a sign of RC on this rifle and it is on the stock. Not here to argue the point, but to make a statement about the serial number on the side of the stock. I am not a K98 expert, my main interest is the S84/98 III bayonet, but I know when something has been touched on by Ivan.

Thank you. I'm not trying to argue with you or anything. I was always under the assumption that the Soviets marked in X, lackard the stock, and mismatched everything. I'm very new to k98ks. I really do appreciate your comment, more pieces to this puzzle the better. I'm just honestly stumped with mine because it's almost like two complete rifles were merged together.

 

[Zeppelin5000]

As I mentioned on your post on Reddit, the rifle is simply a stock mismatch. The original stock was swapped out at some point in the past 70+ years with a Russian capture stock. Take any guess to why, sporter rescue, replace a damaged stock, etc.
The stock was from an early Mauser-Oberndorf rifle, the same manufacturer that made your barreled receiver. It's just a coincidence that it's the same manufacturer.

 

[grimlin13]

I have an RC that I picked up around 10 years ago. Mostly a mis-match, but matching byf43 barrel and receiver. The trigger guard, floor plate and follower match each other. The bolt has a matching extractor, everything else is mismatched on it. The only thing the Russians did to the receiver was stamp and X on it. All of the eagles are intact as are the original serial numbers. There are no electro-penciled parts. The stock had a few Russian arsenal repairs on it, (chunks cut out and replaced with Russian laminate) covered in thick, peeling Russian Red shellac and a big Russian serial number stamped into it. Plus it had an internal crack (laminate separation) that ran from in front of the trigger guard and back to the wrist. I found a really nice Norwegian capture stock that was still in original German configuration, no alterations except the light clear shellac and had serial number matching to stock, bands and band spring. I put the two together and now I guess I have an RC/NC
And I forgot to mention the stock is also a 42 to 43 byf.

 

[Mattk98k_44]

I have an RC that I picked up around 10 years ago. Mostly a mis-match, but matching byf43 barrel and receiver. The trigger guard, floor plate and follower match each other. The bolt has a matching extractor, everything else is mismatched on it. The only thing the Russians did to the receiver was stamp and X on it. All of the eagles are intact as are the original serial numbers. There are no electro-penciled parts. The stock had a few Russian arsenal repairs on it, (chunks cut out and replaced with Russian laminate) covered in thick, peeling Russian Red shellac and a big Russian serial number stamped into it. Plus it had an internal crack (laminate separation) that ran from in front of the trigger guard and back to the wrist. I found a really nice Norwegian capture stock that was still in original German configuration, no alterations except the light clear shellac and had serial number matching to stock, bands and band spring. I put the two together and now I guess I have an RC/NC
And I forgot to mention the stock is also a 42 to 43 byf.

Would you happen to also know what the RT is on the right side of the receiver? I can't find anything on it. Thank you for your comment!

 

[grimlin13]

There is not going to be anything on the RT. Not anything done by Germany or any other country as far as I know. More than likely done by a previous owner putting his initials on it.

 

[grimlin13]

There is a picture reference section here where you can look at all numbers matching and correct K98s. Every year and every maker, I would suggest you go look at a few 44byf rifles so that you can see what one is suppose to look like.
Here is a link. https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/picture-reference-index.45/