Zbrojovka Brno K98k “dot 1944” 8mm Mauser Bolt-Action Rifle – WWII Late-War Production
Built at the Brünn factory in 1944, this “dot 1944” Karabiner 98k represents Germany’s late-war rush to field rifles while conserving materials. Stamped steel hardware, a mixed hot-blue/phosphate finish, and Waffenamt proofs mark it as a true wartime piece. Several parts retain matching serial number 1683, and the floor-plate shows the byf code, adding research value for collectors studying production shortcuts of the period.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – Extensive signs of prior use and handling. Scratches and blemishes are present, with rust and pitting visible throughout. The hardwood stock has had its finish stripped and shows small areas of damage.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean with some residue or smudges and slight corrosion. Rifling is good, featuring intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
What’s Included
- Leather K98k military sling (installed)
The receiver is cleanly stamped “dot 1944,” confirming manufacture at the Czechoslovakian Brünn plant during the final full year of the war. Rifles from this line are noted for better machining than many contemporaries, despite visible wartime expediencies.
Stamped sheet-steel barrel bands, floor-plate, and cupped butt-plate illustrate the shift from milled parts to faster stamped components. These features, along with the mixed hot-blue and phosphate finish, typify late-war German small-arms production.
German Waffenamt eagle proofs remain clear on metal surfaces, providing authentic verification of acceptance by Wehrmacht inspectors. Combined with the matching serials on several major parts, these marks enhance both historical and collector appeal.
The rifle retains its original tangent rear sight graduated to 2000 meters and an inverted-V front post on a block base, keeping the sight picture correct for the period. A full-length hardwood stock with sling slot, takedown disc, and cupped steel butt-plate completes the classic K98k profile.