April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2023
Manufactured during late 1943-1944, this K98k Single-Claw mount sniper rifle is sole sniper rifle variant that was produced by Steyr, who was also the exclusive manufacturer of this variant. Closely resembling Steyr's M95 mounting system, which was produced in limited numbers during World War I. This example, having been manufactured in the "d" block, was among the first K98k Single-Claw mount snipers produced in 1944 once production was able to resume after the February 1944 Allied bombing of the Steyr arsenal. The forward mounting plate covers the receiver markings that would be typically visible over the chamber, as well as Steyr's waffenamts on the right side of the receiver, with the only visible receiver marking being "Mod. 98" on the left receiver wall. The barrel bears Steyr's "bnz/1" within a shield barrel manufacturer logo and a Steyr "(Eagle)/ 623" waffenamt over the top. with the left side bearing an eagle firing proof followed by the serial number "2335/ d". An additional and indiscernible waffenamt is present over the top of the barrel, which is present on all known authentic Steyr Single-Claw snipers. Left side of scope is marked "DIALYTAN 4x 75599/ bmj +" on the left side and is of the later "round" pattern. Metal components are blued, with the wood furniture comprised of laminated beech wood. Matching numbers are present on the barrel, barrel bands, rear sight assembly, floorplate, front receiver scope base, rear receiver scope base (stamped on the wedge, only visible when button is depressed), front scope ring, rear scope ring assembly (upper & lower sections), bolt body, bolt sleeve, sniper pattern (shortened) bolt safety, firing pin, as well as on the interior of the upper handguard. Stock is a replacement, which has been sanded and lacquered at one point in time, still retaining the checkered sniper pattern cupped buttplate, and should be an easy replacement should one choose to restore this example with a proper stock. Cleaning rod is present. This example is accompanied by a blued "BERG&CO." marked bayonet, with an "S178/ 1936" marked scabbard. CONDITION: Excellent, with metal components retaining the majority of their original blue finish, exhibiting areas of mild thinning on the barrel showing through to a pleasant brown patina, some freckling on the scope mounts, an area of wear on the bottom of the floorplate that shows through to gray patina, as well as some mild wear on the bolt assembly from operation of the action. Interior of rifle retains traces of what appears to be period cosmoline. Brilliant mirror bore, exhibiting sharp and well defined lands and grooves throughout. Stock is very good to excellent, as sanded and lacquered, retaining a faint "(Eagle)/ H" Heer proof on the right side of the butt. Scope exhibits some mild freckling and a few superficial marks from handling and storage but is otherwise fine. Optic retains a clean and sharp image. Bayonet exhibits moderate wear and bears a loss to the blade face, but is otherwise fine. Scabbard exhibits wear overall, with the balance retaining a mottled gray patina. An exceptional example of a Steyr Single-Claw mount K98k sniper rifle that, paired with an appropriate period stock, will be a difficult example to upgrade from.