Specifically, what would indicate German refurbishing, versus, well, "tomfoolery"?
Here is an excerpt from a post I made on the gunboards k98 forum, I ask those of you here who may not read there for your opinions. (I would like to cast a wide net for info).
"I am looking at a rifle (byf 42) which has some points of concern, but the price is not outside the "mismatch" price range - it is not being represented as a matching original example. It's not import marked. And the worst part, it has provenance from the original (American vet) owner up to this point (for what that's worth, I know).
Here are a few points I would like to ask about.(sorry, no pics yet):
-all metal matches, BUT, the numbers on the bolt root are smaller than the reciever,and the flat looks ground, (but I have seen correct ones with varying examples of the "dip" in the root where the flat meets the bolt body, I just can't say on this one based on my personal experience). Should this be the SAME size font? The "font" itself looks the same. I do not recall the Wa numbers on the bolt parts, but I think they were 2 digits (I don't think Oberndorf, anyway.) I just don't remember.
The bolt shroud flat for serial # exhibits sighs of being ground, and renumbered. The flat is not so "flat". In short, I suspect (I emphasize SUSPECT) the bolt is renumbered, but it is not an ugly job (?). The thing is, it was not reblued, and there is no "cold blue" on the serial #'d areas. The bolt handle has a very "correct" brownish patina which just looks right. The wear and patina on the whole rifle is consistent. It all looks the same age, and not new. It may very well be a matching rifle, but I doubt it. I know, pictures.
-The stock has been renumbered in the barrel channel, but the old SN was "crossed out" with "////" marks, one mark over each number, and the metal's 4 digit # stamped next to it in the same font. Unfortunately, the stock was sanded (by the vet), so no Wa's I could find on the stock. It has a "gqm" buttplate. Obviously not matching the rifle, but why bother renumbering the stock if building a fake matched rifle, why not just get an unnumbered stock?
In short, the patina is very consistent and old on the whole rifle. And the bluing is the same on the bolt and reciever/bands/triggerguard/floorplate, etc.
I don't have any barrel marking info, and I know that would be crucial to the rearsenal determination. In fact, the main factor, I would think. I will see if I can get that. The bore is great.
The stock thing seems odd, but could "salvaged" stocks from an otherwise unserviceable rifle have been used in a refurb?"
In short, it looks old, and it looks right to me, but I have not personally handled a correct refurb. What would be the best indicators?
It's a family member's, and I would like to trade for it, I only add this to emphasize that it's not a big-dollar deal, which would not happen, as this would scare me off. Just want to know what it is, the owner and I are curious. Hopefully I'll be the owner at some point and I can post some pics.
Thanks,
Jeff
Here is an excerpt from a post I made on the gunboards k98 forum, I ask those of you here who may not read there for your opinions. (I would like to cast a wide net for info).
"I am looking at a rifle (byf 42) which has some points of concern, but the price is not outside the "mismatch" price range - it is not being represented as a matching original example. It's not import marked. And the worst part, it has provenance from the original (American vet) owner up to this point (for what that's worth, I know).
Here are a few points I would like to ask about.(sorry, no pics yet):
-all metal matches, BUT, the numbers on the bolt root are smaller than the reciever,and the flat looks ground, (but I have seen correct ones with varying examples of the "dip" in the root where the flat meets the bolt body, I just can't say on this one based on my personal experience). Should this be the SAME size font? The "font" itself looks the same. I do not recall the Wa numbers on the bolt parts, but I think they were 2 digits (I don't think Oberndorf, anyway.) I just don't remember.
The bolt shroud flat for serial # exhibits sighs of being ground, and renumbered. The flat is not so "flat". In short, I suspect (I emphasize SUSPECT) the bolt is renumbered, but it is not an ugly job (?). The thing is, it was not reblued, and there is no "cold blue" on the serial #'d areas. The bolt handle has a very "correct" brownish patina which just looks right. The wear and patina on the whole rifle is consistent. It all looks the same age, and not new. It may very well be a matching rifle, but I doubt it. I know, pictures.
-The stock has been renumbered in the barrel channel, but the old SN was "crossed out" with "////" marks, one mark over each number, and the metal's 4 digit # stamped next to it in the same font. Unfortunately, the stock was sanded (by the vet), so no Wa's I could find on the stock. It has a "gqm" buttplate. Obviously not matching the rifle, but why bother renumbering the stock if building a fake matched rifle, why not just get an unnumbered stock?
In short, the patina is very consistent and old on the whole rifle. And the bluing is the same on the bolt and reciever/bands/triggerguard/floorplate, etc.
I don't have any barrel marking info, and I know that would be crucial to the rearsenal determination. In fact, the main factor, I would think. I will see if I can get that. The bore is great.
The stock thing seems odd, but could "salvaged" stocks from an otherwise unserviceable rifle have been used in a refurb?"
In short, it looks old, and it looks right to me, but I have not personally handled a correct refurb. What would be the best indicators?
It's a family member's, and I would like to trade for it, I only add this to emphasize that it's not a big-dollar deal, which would not happen, as this would scare me off. Just want to know what it is, the owner and I are curious. Hopefully I'll be the owner at some point and I can post some pics.
Thanks,
Jeff
Comment