'43 Mauser Sniper revisted
Here's one pic of the underside of the bolt root. I see no numbers just the 'crest' that appears elsewhere and a fat X or +, nothing else. The shiny spot is where the bolt hits the receiver. Thanks again for the expert help!
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Xlnt, great pic !!
Many tnx.
I'm getting an eagle 140, located just to R of the bright spot. If that's correct, your bolt is possibly native/original to this byf '43 rig (I seem to have forgotten-does the bolt's s/n match the receiver's?).
WaA 140 is the acceptance stamp/marking applied by the team assigned to the FN plant in German-occupied Belgium.0 -
1917watercooled....so, we are back to the fact that you have a matched byf43 sniper rifle, with the only other marking on the rifle not to be WaA135 is the bolt bottom (140) and it has that correct mark on the bolt bottom. It is not forced match anywhere that I can see on the rifle so it is correct. Again, check out the Rock Island auctions on Sept 11/12 for the lot of German sniper rifles they have up for auction. As I review it, they have several high turrent snipers like yours which will help you with value. Now, spend some quality time looking for a correct 4x Zeiss Dialytan scope....and hold on to your pocketbook! Same with the rings! But when you are done...well, like I previously said, you have a jewel! I would say a rather good trade for the Rockola carbine.[^] Good luck! 0 -
I'm sorry, having problems with the 5 digit number on the receiver, trigger guard and floorplate. All the German military stuff I've handled over the years had a 1 to 4 digit number with a lower case letter. The lower case letter was usually on the receiver.
Unless these parts with 5 digit numbers are original/unique to this particular sniper rifle? I would have to say some unknown elve in the past got his hands on it to make it into a matching big buck sniper.
It's doubtful to me that this business with the renumbered parts dates to the 50's. Back then snipers weren't the big buck item that they are today. Chances are the guy who was trading it was telling a BS story about buying it in the mid 50's, to get his hands on that hard to come by carbine. My 2?.0 -
OK, to tidy this up. The seller is my older brother. I've had this rifle in my vault for over 20 years collecting dust while he moved around the country. I remember when he purchased it as he was still living at home with me and our folks. Our dad hit the ceiling when he spent hard earned paper route and grass cutting earnings on a "damm kraut rifle". I know my brother and believe me, he is not capable of modifying numbers, if indeed it has been done as some have suggested.
I spent over two years behind the Iron Curtain doing communications work for the military during the mid 60's. I looked in on the east Germans and Soviets every shift. I never saw them take a surplus or secondary standard rifle and remark it to a high standard. They just wanted it to work, they didn't care how it looked. I'm going to agree with Gary and say I've had a "jewel" in my vault all these years and didn't know it. I also will look for a correct (but mismatched scope). Thanks again for all the great input.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1917watercooled
OK, to tidy this up. The seller is my older brother. I've had this rifle in my vault for over 20 years collecting dust while he moved around the country. I remember when he purchased it as he was still living at home with me and our folks. Our dad hit the ceiling when he spent hard earned paper route and grass cutting earnings on a "damm kraut rifle". I know my brother and believe me, he is not capable of modifying numbers, if indeed it has been done as some have suggested.
I spent over two years behind the Iron Curtain doing communications work for the military during the mid 60's. I looked in on the east Germans and Soviets every shift. I never saw them take a surplus or secondary standard rifle and remark it to a high standard. They just wanted it to work, they didn't care how it looked. I'm going to agree with Gary and say I've had a "jewel" in my vault all these years and didn't know it. I also will look for a correct (but mismatched scope). Thanks again for all the great input.
There is a guy who posts on this forum who uses the handle "p3skyking". Contact him and ask if he has ever seen any kraut military 98 k's with 5 digit serial numbers. Show him the pictures of your prize and see what he says. My take on your "jewel" is that your brother got shafted. Don't get me wrong as it is still worth good money as a high turret sniper. But if you ever try to sell it to a knowledgeable collector as being real mccoy, he'll laugh in your face.0 -
Rufe, most late War production [late 44 to 45] has 5 didget and letter.Dieter 0 -
quote:Originally posted by lendie
Rufe, most late War production [late 44 to 45] has 5 didget and letter.Dieter
I have seen more than one late 1943 five digit serial numbered rifle and there was no reason to presume that they were faked.0 -
I concede, you guys are correct on this. Checked Ball's book, he shows a high turret byf sniper with a 5 digit s.n.. 0
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