Direct Vet purchased BYF 43 k98

[Tino]

I hit a few garage sales this weekend, the second sale I hit I asked if they had any old military stuff.
The lady told me it was her dad's sale and that he served in WWII, she went inside the house to get him and out comes this 87 year old veteran with this k98, a bayonet and ammo pouch.

He was full of spunk and was a fighter pilot, he was more than willing to share his WWII experiences.
Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of time and we set up an appointment on monday morning.

About the rifle, it's a non matching BYF 43, he traded it for a pair of sun glasses with another soldier when he was in Germany.

I browsed on the web for a few hours and realised that it's important to have provenance with the direct vet buys.

Besides asking for the bring back papers, a hand written note and hopefully a picture with him and the gun do you guys have any tips or suggestions?

Maybe one you you experts can give me a bit more information about the rifle and bayonet.
Also the values seem to be all over the place with these K98's, a fair market value of the items shown in the picture would be appreciated.

I will add to the story after my meeting if anyone's interested.

thanks,
Tino

[Tino]

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[Tino]

close up of markings rifle and bayonet

[Tino]

Please let me know if additional pictures are needed or wanted

[Time Bandit]

Dunno much about the K98 (I'll leave that to those who know about these) but the bayonet is a Yugoslavian one, a M1924 I think? Frog appears German but I'm no expert so could well be wrong but it looks okay?

Value? I've not got a clue, sorry.

[phild]

The stock has been varnished or shellaced and probably sanded as it looks to have had some contouring work done around the both the top of the stock comb and the pistol grip areas.

If it is all matching but the the bolt, I would say that you have maybe a $400 rifle +or- $75.....the stock work hurts the collector value more that the MM bolt IMO.

The sling could add maybe $50, missing the keeper and it's very worn. The other two items I would say $100 retail. I'd not get into everythng for more than $500 and that is if you plan to keep it as I don't see you re-selling it for much if any more than that.

[MauserKar98k]

Good example of why you should always ask about military stuff at garage sales. It would be a great idea to get the items that you mentioned, capture papers, pic of the vet with the rifle, the story behind the rifle written down, etc. Unfortunately, it does look the like the stock has been monkeyed with at some point, which does affect the value.

A pic of the opposite side of the rifle would be useful.

[Tino]

Thanks for the replies!
Interesting to find out it's a Yugoslavian bayonet, were they used by the German army as well? According to the vet the bayonet was found in a warehouse in Nuremberg and has indeed a German frog.


Here is a picture of the opposite side of the rifle.

[Tino]

Here is a picture of the vet in question with the rifle, I wanted to ask permission first before I posted his picture.

He was a pilot on a P47 thunderbolt in the 379th squadron, 368th group.
A very interesting guy for sure.

[phild]

I'm very surprised that a c block byf 43 would have a stamped rear band on it from the factory, is it in fact matched? Maybe I should also ask if the letter is actually a c or is it an e or something else?

I was also a little surprised to see the stamped front band as well as I had thought that they showed up a few months after the c letter block....like around g or h, but I am not a 98k guru.

The photo is nice and the German use of the captured bayonet does not surprise me.

[Alan Smith]

Nice photo of the vet with the gun.

Did you happen to ask if he has his A-2 leather jacket, pilot wings, photos of his aircraft, flight logs, etc?

[Bob in OH]

** Always impressed to see WWII vet. Give him a salute from us, and thank him for winning the war.

** My "c" block has milled rear band and stamped from band...

[AndyB]

Like mentioned by others the yugoslavian M24 bayonet is untouched in original not german upgrade, it could added postwar or the bringback is from Yugo area? best regards,Andy

[Tino]

I'm very surprised that a c block byf 43 would have a stamped rear band on it from the factory, is it in fact matched? Maybe I should also ask if the letter is actually a c or is it an e or something else?

I was also a little surprised to see the stamped front band as well as I had thought that they showed up a few months after the c letter block....like around g or h, but I am not a 98k guru.

The photo is nice and the German use of the captured bayonet does not surprise me.

Thanks for your reply.
The front and rear band both have the same number and both are stamped.
The letter is indeed a C.
The rest of the rifle is pretty much non numbers matching.
Thanks,
Tino

[Tino]

Nice photo of the vet with the gun.

Did you happen to ask if he has his A-2 leather jacket, pilot wings, photos of his aircraft, flight logs, etc?

He has quite a bit of paperwork, pictures, his complete uniform, lots of maps and a footlocker with some uniform pieces and miscellaneous items (like a shoulder holster)

He also showed me his airmedal, Distinguished service cross and 2 sets of wings.

I don't think he has an A2 jacket but I will ask him the next time I see him.

Thanks,
Tino