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Extraordinary Unique Gustloff K98 Prototype Serial Number 3 "Heavy Barreled" Long Side Rail Sniper R

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Extraordinary Unique Gustloff K98 Prototype Serial Number 3  Heavy Barreled  Long Side Rail Sniper R
This is a beautiful example of a prototype "K98" style heavy barreled sniper rifle "Serial Number 3". This rifle was manufactured using a wartime K98 "bcd" marked receiver, original WWII German long side rail scope base and mount. These long side rail sniper rifles were probably the most robust of the various German sniper rifles produced during WWII which could withstand the rigors of wartime use while still being the easiest to manufacture in large quantities. The top of the receiver has the wartime code marking of "bcd/4" for the Gustloff-Werkes in Weimar with a single Eagle 1 proof on the right side of the receiver, with only the serial number "3" on the left side. The base has the correct large dovetail on top with the three large retaining screws, corresponding lock screws and two taper pins on the side with only a single small Eagle 359 Waffenamt proof. The mount is the correct wartime version with the large locking lever on the left side that is serial numbered "3", which is complete with the stamped sheet metal scope bands. The two most intriguing features of this rifle is that it is fitted with a heavy target type sniper barrel with a new factory (not cut down) half length hardwood stock and handguard. The stock and handguard are both stamped with serial number "3" and the stock has the bolt takedown washer mid-way in the butt area with the standard wartime cupped buttplate. This style of stock is very similar to many of the current match or target type stocks used today. The shorter style stock and handguards did away with all the front bedding problems and additional parts associated with the full length stock. The fore stock extends to approximately 5 inches in front of the rear sight base with the corresponding handguard approximately 5 3/4 inches in length and goes from the middle of the rear sight base to the end of the fore stock. Both fore stock and handguard are retained with a VZ24 style barrel band with the side mounted sling swivel. This style of barrel band provided the necessary tension to the fore stock and handguard to dampen barrel vibrations. The barrel is very similar in size to the early MG-34 barrel diameter and configuration, that is approximately 23 inch long and has the standard four lands and groove rifling. The outside diameter measures approximately 1 inch at the front of the receiver, tapers down to approximately 7/8 at the rear sight base and then tapers down to approximately 3/4 of an inch at the muzzle. The rear sight base is a pre-war Mauser style sporting or commercial style base with the short tangent with the locking screw in front of the base and leaf correctly graduated from 100-1000 meters. The barrel is fitted with a machined prototype 98K style front sight that consists of a machined front sight base mounted on a semi-circle round barrel band that has been soldiered onto the barrel with a sheet metal front sight cover. The top of the barrel behind the rear sight base is correctly marked "dfb/EN/dfb-41" with four "Eagle 4" proof marks over a small asterisk style proof over a single WWII German eagle firing proof. The right side of the barrel is also marked with "S/1454" over the matching serial number "3". The "dfb" markings are the subcontractor code for the Gustloff Co. Waffenfabrik in Suhl Germany. As noted the rifle is fitted with an original long side rail type scope base and matching mount which has been fitted with an early pre-war C.P. Goerz sniper scope. The Goerz factory was noted for producing many WWI sniper scopes for the GEW series of rifles and this one has been modified by adding a recoil ring in front of the windage base that would have corresponded to the later long side rail scope that were all fitted with this same style of recoil ring. The top of the scope is only marked "C.P.GOERZ/4X". It is fitted with a sniper style elevation dial that has the range markings from 100-800 meters with the standard German 3-post reticule pattern. The rifle is fitted with a standard late war stamped trigger guard that is marked with the wartime code of "qnw" with a single trigger. The bolt is also a late war style without the guide rib and the enlarged gas holes with a correct milled sniper style safety lever. The bolt and corresponding cocking assembly all correctly match serial number "3".
BBL: 23 inch round
Stock: hardwood
Gauge: 8 mm Mauser
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 3
Condition: Excellent in like new unfired condition with 99% of the arsenal blue finish with just minor edge and high spot wear. The stock and handguard are also both in excellent condition with no handling marks anywhere. The scope base and mount also retains 99% of their wartime blue finish. The scope has been arsenal refinished and retains 99% of its blued finish with bright, clear, sharp optics. The elevation knob works correctly. As noted, the rifle receiver, barrel, mount, complete bolt assembly stock and handguard are all matching serial number "3". A unique example of a rare prototype heavy barreled sniper rifle.