Make: Waffenwerke Brunn, Bruenn plant, Czechoslovakia.

Model: K98k

Serial Number: 3957 H

Year of Manufacture: 1944

Caliber: 7.92x57mm Mauser

Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked, “dot U 1944”. The left side is marked, “3957 H / Mod. 98”. All serialized parts are non-matched to the receiver. There are Czech lions on the receiver and barrel. There is an import mark on the barrel.

Barrel Length: 23.5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a triangular post dovetailed to a serrated base with a protective hood. The rear sight is a v-notch sliding escalator assembly marked 1-20.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The laminated wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, scallop for the bolt handle, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for the missing cleaning rod, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, and a metal buttplate. There are light handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is heavy erosion and moderate pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is light thinning and spots of patina. The action has faint wear. The screw heads show little to no wear. The markings are mostly well-defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Czech-coded “dot” K98k rifles produced at the Waffenwerke Brunn plant in Brno are among the more intriguing and well-regarded Mausers of the late war period. Manufactured under German occupation, these rifles were produced to supply the Wehrmacht during the final, desperate years of World War II. This 1944 example reflects both the efficiency and durability of the Mauser 98 system and the transition to more simplified wartime production techniques. The “dot” code signifies the Brno plant, while the Czech lion proofs indicate continued use of pre-war inspection marks, a unique combination of German design and Czech manufacturing legacy. This rifle presents in Very Good overall condition, retaining approximately 90% of its original blued finish with light thinning and areas of patina. The laminated wood stock is in excellent shape, free of cracks or chips, and exhibits only light handling marks—a rare find for a rifle that saw wartime service. While the serialized parts are mismatched to the receiver, the mechanical function remains correct, and the rifle still features its original hooded front sight and full-length military configuration. Of particular note is the bore, which remains bright with sharp rifling—despite heavy erosion and pitting, it surprisingly rates a 9.5/10 in terms of visual clarity and rifling definition, an uncommon condition for a late-war K98k that likely saw extensive service.

Whether you're a collector of WWII German arms, interested in Czech wartime production, or seeking a representative K98k for historical display, this dot 1944 Mauser offers a well-preserved and mechanically sound example with strong aesthetic appeal. The Brno plant’s output is well-respected for its quality, even under wartime constraints, and this rifle captures the essence of that legacy. Its solid bore, clean stock, and intact configuration make it an ideal acquisition for those seeking a late-war K98k that stands out for both condition and historical context.