RC K98k Mauser - Please help (pictures included)

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Hey y'all!

I just picked up my FIRST Mauser last week. I love her. She is just awesome. :)

Anyway... I was hoping that you all could help me with understanding the stamped markings on the rifle. I keep finding basic things on the internet like "that's a proof stamp", but I would LOVE more specific info (if a particular stamp means something specific about a particular place, or the material used, etc). Is there a way to tell when this rifle was built? Or at least the receiver, as I'm sure the parts are from all over the place. :)

I really appreciate your help. Learning about what these marks actually are, what they represented, etc... is a huge thing for me. The THR crew has NEVER let me down. I don't expect you to now!! :) Please check out the pictures and if you could be as specific as possible about which picture you're referring to, which marking in that photo, etc... I would GREATLY appreciate it!!

Thank you!

Luke
 

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And more pics...

I can only upload four at a time so...
 

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And finally...

Here are the final pics. I really look forward to finding out more from all of you!

Thanks for your help!
 

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Mainly, bnz is the German manufacturer's code for Steyr-Daimler-Puch, Steyr, Austria; 1940-1944. The numeral 4 indicates manufacture in 1944. Some 1944 rifles are marked 44, some just 4. I assume they just ground the 3 off the old 43 stamp to get some use out of it. WaA 77 is the German army ordnance office inspection stamp for Steyr.

There are a lot of other maker's and inspector's marks on different pieces; you definitely have a mixmaster.
 
When the gun was new, the serial numbers on the parts would have matched, though some parts would have had only the last two numbers. And in most cases, the inspector's number would be the same on all parts, unless they were made by a sub-contractor.

The inspector's number (WaffenAmt number) was assigned to the head of the Army inspection team at a factory and the parts made there were inspected and marked under the supervision of his team members. So if "77" was the inspector at Steyr, all the rifles and parts made there would have either his number or the number of his predecesor or successor. If a strange number shows up on a rifle, either it was made somewhere else on a subcontract or (more likely) the part was replaced at some point over 67 years.

Jim
 
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