July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
K98 manufactured by Steyr-Daimler-Puch with slave labor in 1944. The receiver, originally manufactured for Steyr's SS contract was subsequently taken and utilized by the Heereswaffentamt. This was due to the Soviet advance on the Eastern Front and subsequent loss of the Radom arsenal in 1944, ultimately resulting in the Heereswaffenamt absorbing remaining SS component production to meet Heer K98 production quotas. The receiver bears Steyr's big block "bnz" code above "44", with 2 "(Eagle) / 623" waffenamts present on the right side. Barrel is stamped with an "EG" code, followed by "bnz / 1" within a shield, and an additional "(Eagle) / 623" waffenamt. Right side of buttstock bears Steyr's large "(Eagle) / H" Heer proof. Metal components are blued, with the stock being comprised of laminated beechwood. Bolt body and extractor retain a proper late war plum colored finish. Matching numbers are present on the barrel, rear sight leaf, as well as the rear sight base. Stock does not match, but matches the upper handguard and has been duffel cut below the rear barrel band. Interestingly, aside from the previously noted stampings and serial numbers the remaining components such as the bolt assembly, buttplate, and barrel bands are devoid of any proofs or serial numbers. CONDITION: Very good, with metal components retaining the majority of their original blue finish, exhibiting some thinning, spots of wear, as well as some light areas of oxidation overall. Rear barrel band has been cleaned, exhibiting an area of inactive oxidation showing through to gray patina in one area. Buttplate shows discolored areas of cleaned oxidation overall. Mirror bore, exhibiting well defined rifling throughout. Stock is very good, showing some scattered marks from handling and storage, but is otherwise fine. Upper handguard bears a crack that runs the length of the handguard that is mainly visible from the interior. A very interesting and desirable K98 variation. MLW
Manufacturer
Steyr-Daimler-Puch