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Extraordinary WWII Gustloff-Werke "bcd/ 4" Code Model 98K Sniper Rifle with Matching Long Side Rail

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Extraordinary WWII Gustloff-Werke  bcd/ 4  Code Model 98K Sniper Rifle with Matching Long Side Rail
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Estimate: $15000 - 25000
This is an exceptional, totally original, unissued example of a late WWII German K98 rifle as manufactured by the Gustloff factory that has the innovative enlarged receiver that uses the long side rail type of scope base and machined mount. This style of sniper rifle set-up was a dramatic improvement over all other versions of the 98K sniper rifle systems, as it proved to be extremely robust and durable, requiring considerably less time to manufacture and assemble. The top of the receiver is marked with a single Eagle Waffenamt proof over "bcd/4" the wartime code for the Gustloff factory in Weimar and "4" for 1944, the year of manufacture. The right side of the receiver has a single "eagle/37" Waffenamt, with a small "eagle/1" acceptance proof of the Gustloff factory. The rear of the barrel has the serial number (7761u) of the rifle along with a single eagle firing proof, with a second firing proof also on the right side of the receiver. The rifle has the early war all milled barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate and it has the correct late war laminated bcd style K98 stock with a single "H" Heers Waffenamt on the left side of the butt stock with a small letter "c" proofmark on the underside of the stock, which has also been fitted with a correct checkered, cupped butt plate. The rifle is fitted with a matching, long side rail mount with machined scope rings that has been fitted with the early center focus "dow" coded sniper scope. These scopes were made by the Opticotechna firm in Czechoslovakia and the rear of the scope is marked "dow/+/ 19805". They have an all steel construction and the center elevation knob is calibrated from 1-8 (100-800) meters. The mount itself has a has a single eagle 359 Waffenamt with the serial number (7761u) behind that, and an additional "359" on the base. It is a complete with a blued cleaning rod, rubber muzzle cover, sheet metal front sight hood, original leather sling and leather scope caps. The front and rear scope caps are stamped 38 and 40 respectively for the diameter of the objective and ocular lens. The consignor has provided a copy of a letter dated June 1961 from the original owner to a collector friend of his, describing the originality and superior condition of this rifle.
BBL: 23 inch
Stock: laminated
Gauge: 7.92 mm Mauser
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 7761u
Condition: Near new, unissued with 99% of the original wartime blued finish overall with minimal storage marks. The stock and handguard are also in the same exceptional condition with an attractive matching medium brown color overall with just a few scattered light handling marks overall. The Waffenamt proofs are clear. The scope and mount are also in same condition with 99% of their wartime blued finish respectively with clear optics with just a slight amount of old moisture or bubbles caught in the glue between the lens, (unnoticeable when looking straight through the scope). The leather lens caps and sling are also in excellent condition, being nice and pliable with only minor scratches and handling marks. This is the finest example of an all original and all matching late WWII long side rail 98K sniper rig we have ever offered at auction!