BYF-44 98K Mauser

[Johnny Peppers]

Is the lower band (the sling band) matching? It appears to be a milled early war part on your rifle which would be incorrect - it should be a stamped and welded band.

I will have to disagree. This is an all matching byf 44 which also has the milled lower band which is matching. This rifle was bought about 25 years back with a matching cof 44 bayonet/scabbard in the same condition.

[3371940]

I will have to disagree. This is an all matching byf 44 which also has the milled lower band which is matching. This rifle was bought about 25 years back with a matching cof 44 bayonet/scabbard in the same condition.

Agreed. Milled lower bands with stamped uppers is pretty common on these mid 44 dated MO rifles.

[robcox1]

Is the lower band (the sling band) matching? It appears to be a milled early war part on your rifle which would be incorrect - it should be a stamped and welded band. I know it is possible to find "old stock" parts on later rifles, so I'm not saying it has to be wrong; I'm just asking if you checked to see that the number matches. Either way, its an excellent rifle. I know of one similar that just sold for over 1200.

Yes, it matches too. As stated by others, it appears that this was fairly common. Thanks.

[robcox1]

Looks good so far. Take it apart and make sure the stock matches.

Matt

I tried that when I first got it home. The front band is on so tight that I could not get it off. I tried tapping it gently with a hammer (with a block of wood as the punch) and could not budge it. I finally decided that it wasn't worth the risk of damaging something. It has the correct Waa135 stamps on the buttstock and behind the trigger and there is nothing that would make me doubt that it is the original stock so I am going to leave it alone. Thanks!

[Matt Weber]

Yea, sometimes those bands are very tight. You had the right idea witha block of wood though. It shouldn't damage anything with that. What you need is a soft faced pliers (cannon plug pliers) to squeeze in the band spring while you are tapping the band. Basically you need any extra hand too!?

I would still check, because I've learned the hard way on my G33/40, that you shouldn't just assume it's matching.

Matt

[heers68]

Super nice example! Congrats. Very interesting marking on the sling! Can you make out what it is? Any other marks? I have a few original slings and they ended up having some very interesting marks after very close examination in different lights and angles viewed!! Leather "hides" its marks very well sometimes but they are there! Kevin.

[robcox1]

Got it apart

Yea, sometimes those bands are very tight. You had the right idea witha block of wood though. It shouldn't damage anything with that. What you need is a soft faced pliers (cannon plug pliers) to squeeze in the band spring while you are tapping the band. Basically you need any extra hand too!?

I would still check, because I've learned the hard way on my G33/40, that you shouldn't just assume it's matching.

Matt

I tried again and I succeeded in getting it apart. It is indeed all matching. I think it is interesting to see what it looks like on the inside too, it appears as though the original factory finish was that there was no finish. It is just bare wood on the inside.

[robcox1]

Sling

Super nice example! Congrats. Very interesting marking on the sling! Can you make out what it is? Any other marks? I have a few original slings and they ended up having some very interesting marks after very close examination in different lights and angles viewed!! Leather "hides" its marks very well sometimes but they are there! Kevin.

Thanks, I haven't noticed any other markings and I can't make out what it is.

I have one other sling that has pretty clear markings, here is what it looks like.

[robcox1]

More of the other sling

last ones of the other sling

[Johnny Peppers]

As you can see with the bands off, the stock was stained with the rifle assembled.

[robcox1]

As you can see with the bands off, the stock was stained with the rifle assembled.

I'm guessing this has been discussed before or is documented in a book and I'm late to the party, but any idea at what level this was done? It seems like it would have been much easier and quicker to do it in a dunk tank at a factory so it makes me wonder if it was done after it left the factory? Thanks!

[Johnny Peppers]

The stain was applied at the time of manufacture. This shot shows some of the build-up of finish next to the upper band when the band is slid forward.