german mauser proof marks and what they mean

utAlex · 01-19-2005, 06:02 PM

Just picked up a model 98 German mauser, it is in sweeeeet shape, its got a few swasticas under the eagle, not sure what that means, the receiver is marked BFY 5 - 41, where was this made and when, anybody know?? thanks.. oh, by the way, where do I get a cleaning rod for it, it doesnt have one...

Starwolf · 01-19-2005, 07:13 PM

I think you mean "byf" for the code which would be manufactured by the Mauser plant in Oberndorf, Germany. That is their main facility. The "41" means it was made in 1941. Is the "5" between the two or is it right in front of the "41"? If the "5" looks more like a lightning bolt and is located between the two, that would signify it as being made either for the SS or made at a death camp, I can't remember which. It would be referred to as a "single rune" if this is the case.

utAlex · 01-20-2005, 07:26 PM

you are correct, it is BYF, and the 5 is located right above the BYF... thanks for your help.., oh, and what does the little eagle with a swastika under it mean, this thing is covered in them..

bda · 01-22-2005, 05:47 AM

Can you post a picture of the receiver and it's markings? The swastika and eagle on the left side of the receiver and barrel are the fire proofs that were stamped onto it when it was made. The other eagles with swastikas over numbers are the WaA's (Waffen Ampts) or inspector's markings. Prior to 1939 the Germans used the Weimar eagle on the rifles for fire proofs. Around '38-39 they started to phase in the Nazi eagles with swastikas and phased out the Weimar stick birds.

byf signifies that your rifle was made by Mauser (specifically Mauser Werke A.G., Oberndorf-am-Neckar). I'm not too sure that Mauser Werke produced SS rifles in 41 either. Known examples have only been found starting in 42. I'm not an expert on SS rifles but I believe that SS single rune coded rifles would have a bnz code, no letter block suffix after the serial #, and no acceptance proof mark on top of the receiver. Be advised that many forgeries exist out there in order to turn a $200 rifle into a $500 plus rifle.

The 5 above the byf could be what remains of the WaA and just looks like a 5 at this point due to wear. A picture of it would help answer a lot of questions. Oh and congratulations on getting a K98!!

jjkusaf · 02-19-2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Be advised that many forgeries exist out there in order to turn a $200 rifle into a $500 plus rifle.

how can you determine a forge vs. an authentic K98? I plan on buying one next month...to add to my new hobby (bought a M1 Garand last month).

Drill Sergeant · 02-20-2005, 10:54 AM

byf is indeed Mauser. 41 is the year produced (1941). Baffled as to the 5. Photo would be helpful.

Those markings to which you refer are waffenamts - acceptance proofs and will have Nazi-styles eagles. The numbers under some of the eagles should be 655. The stock will most likely be laminated, if original to the gun (a small amount, however, were walnut). Upper and lower bands, floor plate and follower should all be milled rather than stamped, if not replacement parts.

Any numbers or markings on the barrel, just forward of the byf?

Captain Emo · 02-20-2005, 08:20 PM

BDA:

I have been shopping here in Ohio for a real K98. I don't want a RC or a sporterized one. Can you drop me a PM and give me some tips?

Thanks in advance.

lightning351 · 02-27-2005, 04:48 AM

i also just got my first 98,its a nazi marked from j and g sales.the reciver says 1938 with 237 on the top.nazi proofs all over the place, and 2 kinds of eagles. how did i do? thanks

utAlex · 02-27-2005, 10:30 AM

Drill sergeant and bda, here are some more detailed pics, hope these help. It is a 5 above the byf, there is no mistaken it, what could it mean?? thanks guys...

Drill Sergeant · 02-27-2005, 01:03 PM

I will venture a guess:

This may be a Russian Capture gun. The X is similar to other Russians that I have seen. If this is so, the 5 has been added after capture. It is not the same font as the German. The Russians did not always remove (ping) all of the eagles and Nazi markings.

Is there an import mark on the barrel?

utAlex · 02-27-2005, 03:52 PM

yes, it is a Russian capture, I just wasnt sure if the 5 was original or not, the Russians did not remove any of the swastikers (that spelled right?) or eagles, this is a fine example of a German Kar 98, the gun is in almost perfect shape, bore is great muzzle and throat erosion are non-existant and all parts look to be new, even though it has been reparked they still look to be in very new shape. And the stock is emaculate. I love this gun, cant wait to shoot it.

Drill Sergeant · 02-27-2005, 06:02 PM

OK. So, how much was it?

utAlex · 02-27-2005, 06:32 PM

Paid $249 bucks... I think that wasnt to bad..

bda · 02-28-2005, 08:42 AM

That's not a bad price at all if the rifle is in real nice condition. I have never seen a number 5 in place of an acceptance stamp and I don't think that the Russians did it either. They didn't scrub receiver's and remark them like the Yugo's did. They just left their X mark or pinged the swastika and moved on to the next rifle.

Drill Sergeant · 02-28-2005, 03:35 PM

Very interesting. I have found other markings placed by the Germans on these rifles, however not above the maker mark. That area seems to be reserved for the eagle (when present).

You may be correct, bda, however I'll keep looking. Still think that it may be a Russian mark.

Neat stuff, huh?

bda · 02-28-2005, 08:26 PM

You're right about that Drill! 1941 was the first year Mauser Oberndorf used the byf code from the previous 42 code. Maybe it was something they used in the transition?

Too many Mausers and too many different examples to keep track of.

utAlex · 03-13-2005, 07:31 PM

well, thanks for the help guys, maybe some day ill find out what the 5 means. Took her out shooting, she did awesome, I think she shoots better than my yugo and czech mausers, very smooth....and accurate.

01-19-2005, 06:02 PM	#1
utAlex Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 135	98K German Mauser Just picked up a model 98 German mauser, it is in sweeeeet shape, its got a few swasticas under the eagle, not sure what that means, the receiver is marked BFY 5 - 41, where was this made and when, anybody know?? thanks.. oh, by the way, where do I get a cleaning rod for it, it doesnt have one...

01-20-2005, 07:26 PM	#3
utAlex Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 135	ok. you are correct, it is BYF, and the 5 is located right above the BYF... thanks for your help.., oh, and what does the little eagle with a swastika under it mean, this thing is covered in them..

02-27-2005, 03:52 PM	#11
utAlex Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 135	oh yes, it is a Russian capture, I just wasnt sure if the 5 was original or not, the Russians did not remove any of the swastikers (that spelled right?) or eagles, this is a fine example of a German Kar 98, the gun is in almost perfect shape, bore is great muzzle and throat erosion are non-existant and all parts look to be new, even though it has been reparked they still look to be in very new shape. And the stock is emaculate. I love this gun, cant wait to shoot it.

02-27-2005, 06:32 PM	#13
utAlex Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 135	it was Paid $249 bucks... I think that wasnt to bad..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

german mauser proof marks and what they mean

how to date a mauser k98

k98 1941 berlin made

k98 mauser action bearing swastika and eagle

mauser 98 byf 41 markings

meaning of ww on mauser 98 rifle

weimar mauser proof marks

what does byf mean on german rifle

where to find mauser mod 98 markings

01-19-2005, 07:13 PM	#2
Starwolf Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 153	I think you mean "byf" for the code which would be manufactured by the Mauser plant in Oberndorf, Germany. That is their main facility. The "41" means it was made in 1941. Is the "5" between the two or is it right in front of the "41"? If the "5" looks more like a lightning bolt and is located between the two, that would signify it as being made either for the SS or made at a death camp, I can't remember which. It would be referred to as a "single rune" if this is the case.

01-22-2005, 05:47 AM	#4
bda Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 116	Can you post a picture of the receiver and it's markings? The swastika and eagle on the left side of the receiver and barrel are the fire proofs that were stamped onto it when it was made. The other eagles with swastikas over numbers are the WaA's (Waffen Ampts) or inspector's markings. Prior to 1939 the Germans used the Weimar eagle on the rifles for fire proofs. Around '38-39 they started to phase in the Nazi eagles with swastikas and phased out the Weimar stick birds. byf signifies that your rifle was made by Mauser (specifically Mauser Werke A.G., Oberndorf-am-Neckar). I'm not too sure that Mauser Werke produced SS rifles in 41 either. Known examples have only been found starting in 42. I'm not an expert on SS rifles but I believe that SS single rune coded rifles would have a bnz code, no letter block suffix after the serial #, and no acceptance proof mark on top of the receiver. Be advised that many forgeries exist out there in order to turn a $200 rifle into a $500 plus rifle. The 5 above the byf could be what remains of the WaA and just looks like a 5 at this point due to wear. A picture of it would help answer a lot of questions. Oh and congratulations on getting a K98!!

02-20-2005, 10:54 AM	#6
Drill Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 641	byf is indeed Mauser. 41 is the year produced (1941). Baffled as to the 5. Photo would be helpful. Those markings to which you refer are waffenamts - acceptance proofs and will have Nazi-styles eagles. The numbers under some of the eagles should be 655. The stock will most likely be laminated, if original to the gun (a small amount, however, were walnut). Upper and lower bands, floor plate and follower should all be milled rather than stamped, if not replacement parts. Any numbers or markings on the barrel, just forward of the byf?

02-20-2005, 08:20 PM	#7
Captain Emo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 788	BDA: I have been shopping here in Ohio for a real K98. I don't want a RC or a sporterized one. Can you drop me a PM and give me some tips? Thanks in advance.

02-27-2005, 04:48 AM	#8
lightning351 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 62	i also just got my first 98,its a nazi marked from j and g sales.the reciver says 1938 with 237 on the top.nazi proofs all over the place, and 2 kinds of eagles. how did i do? thanks

02-27-2005, 01:03 PM	#10
Drill Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 641	I will venture a guess: This may be a Russian Capture gun. The X is similar to other Russians that I have seen. If this is so, the 5 has been added after capture. It is not the same font as the German. The Russians did not always remove (ping) all of the eagles and Nazi markings. Is there an import mark on the barrel?

02-27-2005, 06:02 PM	#12
Drill Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 641	OK. So, how much was it?

02-28-2005, 08:42 AM	#14
bda Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 116	That's not a bad price at all if the rifle is in real nice condition. I have never seen a number 5 in place of an acceptance stamp and I don't think that the Russians did it either. They didn't scrub receiver's and remark them like the Yugo's did. They just left their X mark or pinged the swastika and moved on to the next rifle.

02-28-2005, 03:35 PM	#15
Drill Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 641	Very interesting. I have found other markings placed by the Germans on these rifles, however not above the maker mark. That area seems to be reserved for the eagle (when present). You may be correct, bda, however I'll keep looking. Still think that it may be a Russian mark. Neat stuff, huh?

02-28-2005, 08:26 PM	#16
bda Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 116	You're right about that Drill! 1941 was the first year Mauser Oberndorf used the byf code from the previous 42 code. Maybe it was something they used in the transition? Too many Mausers and too many different examples to keep track of.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mauser 98k German and/or Yugo	Rudy	Rifles	8	07-15-2007 04:03 PM
german 22 dsm mauser	ntfan	MilSurps	0	03-20-2007 06:27 PM
German Mauser question	Cowboy	Rifles	10	07-14-2005 11:53 AM
German Mauser help needed	ltcboy	Rifles	7	03-19-2005 06:42 PM
K98-M48 German Mauser?	SteelDog	Rifles	5	11-07-2004 08:01 PM

03-13-2005, 07:31 PM	#17
utAlex Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 135	well, thanks for the help guys, maybe some day ill find out what the 5 means. Took her out shooting, she did awesome, I think she shoots better than my yugo and czech mausers, very smooth....and accurate.