Question about BYF 43 / Experts Out There?

[Mike Josephic]

I recently purchased a BYF 1943 K98. It is all matching including the wood,
and has about 80%+ of the original finish. Overall condition is "very fine"
to excellent, supposedly a GI bring-back.

All parts are numbered to match the serial number (5749F). However, the
barrel has a number stamped on it "43D379" -- which I cannot find
any explanation about in my books. The finish is uniform on all parts.

Does anyone out there know what this number means, if anything special?
The barrel is waffenmarked (Nazi eagle, etc), but could it have been a arsenal rebarrel or what?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[Garden Valley]

Most all 98k barrels were made by contractors and the markings you are asking about are the barrel manufacturer markings. The "43" indicates the barrel was made in 1943 but I have forgotten the manufacturer the code indicates. Try posting on the K98k Forum at http://www.k98kforum.com/forum.php. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks there who can tell you the manufacturer of your barrel.

[Mike Josephic]

Thanks for that info! I'll check the Mauser forum you indicated.

[Johnny P]

WOW! Two folks wanted that rifle bad. The buggered up wood looks like someone didn't quite have the bolt back together correctly, but hammered her home anyway.

[mike webb]

Check out the new reference book, Kriegsmodell. I haven't got one yet but I think it has a section on German barrel codes. Supposed to be the book for late war K98k's, don't know if 43 is too early but a second volume is in the works on earlier rifles.

[Embalmer]

I wanted a BYF k98 to match my byf luger and p38. ones I found were either well above what I was looking to pay for a k98 (900+ range), or were just in range, but were worn out rusted POS's. BYF's def seem to bring high end of values for the rifles. Ended up with a mitchell mausers byf 43 k98 for $600 and got what I wanted and is an excellent shooter. FWIW my barrel 43D853.

[Embalmer]

Just noticed he WAS the one who bought that rifle from that auction :o