Vet bring back, how did they get them home?

[NC_Classics]

I was lucky enough, and had the funds to acquire a rifle a veteran brought back from Europe. My childhood friends father is having dementia, he’s elderly now, and was selling firearms off. I got a call, dad wants to sell “the WW2 Rifle”, so I asked what he wanted and paid him.

I had seen this rifle when he inherited it from his late father 20 years ago. He served in the US Army and was in the Battle of the Bulge and died in 2005.

It’s an all matching BNZ 1944 Mauser, with Bayonet. I’m quite pleased. How did troops get these guns home without a duffle cut, this man was a Private First Class.

 

[NC_Classics]

More

 

[Bob in OHIO]

May we see more pics?

 

[Sexton]

I can't comment on how a PFC. might get one home without cutting it. I believe it was easier for an officer, as I have such an example. At any rate, yours appears to have been well kept. Please do post more pictures. You have our attention.

 

[wolfgolf96]

Really looks more like a Mauser Oberndorf (BYF) 44 from the photos. I don’t think BNZ had 5 digit serial number blocks ever.

 

[heavy_mech]

We've seen more than a few of the mail home jobs. I can imagine not all of them required any cutting. Recall the example purchased at SOS where the SM just wrote the address on medical tape on the butt and sent it.

 

[Mauserguy85]

Stop hoarding the pics brother! Let’s see this thing!

 

[tsmgguy]

I was lucky enough, and had the funds to acquire a rifle a veteran brought back from Europe. My childhood friends father is having dementia, he’s elderly now, and was selling firearms off. I got a call, dad wants to sell “the WW2 Rifle”, so I asked what he wanted and paid him.

I had seen this rifle when he inherited it from his late father 20 years ago. He served in the US Army and was in the Battle of the Bulge and died in 2005.

It’s an all matching BNZ 1944 Mauser, with Bayonet. I’m quite pleased. How did troops get these guns home without a duffle cut, this man was a Private First Class.

My uncle captured a nice 98k when the Brittany port of St. Nazaire surrendered. He took the action out of the stock, crated everything up, and shipped the gun to my great grandfather as a gift. So, no duffle cut. I have the gun today.

 

[Muncher 1953]

I can't comment on how a PFC. might get one home without cutting it. I believe it was easier for an officer, as I have such an example. At any rate, yours appears to have been well kept. Please do post more pictures. You have our attention.

might have to do with the PFC’s relationship w/CO, but agree about ossifers

 

[NC_Classics]

May we see more pics?

Sure! Sorry I posted and fell asleep. I was up till 2 am putting it back together, and then I went to church.

 

[NC_Classics]

Sure! Sorry I posted and fell asleep. I was up till 2 am putting it back together, and then I went to church.

I will take more. It was picked up in Europe after being shot little, put in a closet and forgotten.

 

[NC_Classics]

More photos, I compared it to a 1935 Chilean Banner Mauser. Quite a difference.

 

[NC_Classics]

A few more. The barrel had a code “44D189”

I presume that’s the year 1944 and a lot code, not sure about 189.

 

[jithaca]

I was told by two different WWII Veterans that they were allowed to mail rifles home. On told me he was allowed to send a pkg home every three to six months. He would get a wooden crate and mail several rifles at a time. He always used about 75 screws on the lid, he indicated they always made it home. Most of the guys used cardboard boxes and it was hit or miss. The GIs working the mail would go thru the boxes and keep what they wanted…

 

[NC_Classics]

I can't comment on how a PFC. might get one home without cutting it. I believe it was easier for an officer, as I have such an example. At any rate, yours appears to have been well kept. Please do post more pictures. You have our attention.

Knowing the family that inherited it…they weren’t shooters, hunters or collectors. They were always strangely secretive about firearms. I believe I know the full chain of custody from the “Heer”, to the PFC, to his son, and then to me. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I inherited a small Mauser collection years ago from my cousin, but I never had anything like this

 

[NC_Classics]

might have to do with the PFC’s relationship w/CO, but agree about ossifers

The man I brought it home said his dad was in “The Battle of the Bulge” which was Christmas 1944.

It would line up with a 1944 production k98.

I remember there was a program on PBS was a documentary about “battle of the bulge” and he swore in one part of the black-and-white film he saw his father.

Of course, they said he got it off of a German that died in battle, but most likely he found it in a pile of guns captured from prisoners of war, but you never know. They were quite an ornery family prone to a rough nature. From Buffalo, N.Y.!

 

[NC_Classics]

I was told by two different WWII Veterans that they were allowed to mail rifles home. On told me he was allowed to send a pkg home every three to six months. He would get a wooden crate and mail several rifles at a time. He always used about 75 screws on the lid, he indicated they always made it home. Most of the guys used cardboard boxes and it was hit or miss. The GIs working the mail would go thru the boxes and keep what they wanted…

Question, it’s missing a sight hood and a cleaning rod, I know it had a 12.5 inch rod and a sight hood.

I would like original's, anything like that out on EBay? I think the sling is a repro, but I’m not sure.

 

[Sexton]

It would line up with a 1944 production k98.

The information on the receiver confirms this. It was made at Oberndorf in 1944. (BYF = Oberndorf, 44 = 1944. I'm guessing in the spring of the year.

Question, it’s missing a sight hood and a cleaning rod, I know it had a 12.5 inch rod and a sight hood.

I would like original's, anything like that out on EBay? I think the sling is a repro, but I’m not sure.

There are originals available. You can post a WTB (want to buy) ad in the trader section here.

 

[Bob in OHIO]

The reason I wanted more pics… your rifle is a byf not bnz as first stated. Contact me if you desire an original sling (150 shipped… send email)

Nice rifle. These arrived stateside either by shipping or carried (how else?)

 

[Muncher 1953]

to the OP, yes your sling is a repro, & not installed correctly. whether you purchase the one Bob has offered or not, this is how they go on the rifle:

Mounting the K98k sling on your gun