1787

Late WWII German "VK98" Bolt Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Late WWII German  VK98  Bolt Action Rifle
This is an example of a late WWII German Volksgewehr or Peoples rifle as produced the last few months of the Third Reich. This rifle represents the early stages of the efforts by the German armaments ministry to produce war expedient, but fully functional K98 rifles for issue to the Volkssturm. These rifles were basically a standard K98 barreled receiver and bolt assembly in which some of the more time consuming, fabricated or machined parts were left off the rifle, with war expedient production methods incorporated. These parts that were left off are the barrel bands, the traditional front and rear sight, the traditional stamped one piece trigger guard and floor plate and a shorter stock. In place of those items the factories welded on the front sights, and for the rear sight they used a simple notched metal bar that was dovetailed into the top of the receiver ring. For the trigger guard they used a simple bent metal strap with an internal stamped sheet metal box magazine with no floor plate. For a stock these rifles used a simple beech wood stock that is only half the length of a typical K98 stock and lack all the carefully machined and sanded areas. Additionally, components would be salvaged from other rifles to make up for production shortfalls, such as the bolt striker and other components. The top of the receiver is marked 'bnz 45" with no proofmarks and the rear of the barrel is stamped with the serial number and a factory proofmark.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: hardwood
Gauge: 8 mm Mauser
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 5567
Condition: Fine with 60% of the wartime blued finish remaining overall with even honest wear and thinning on all the metal surfaces. The stock is good as refinished with evidence of being lightly sanded and reshaped. The bolt body is matching however the cocking assembly is not matching. A good example of a late WWII Volksgewehr rifle.