Make: Wilhelm-Gustloff-Werke, Weimar

Model: K98k

Serial Number: 3838T

Year of Manufacture: 1944

Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)

Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine.

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked with a Reichsadler and, “bcd 4” The left side of the receiver is marked, “Mod. 98”. All serialized parts are matched. There are various faded Waffenamt and Reichsadler throughout.

Barrel Length: 23.5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a triangular post set atop a serrated ramped base with a protective hood. The rear sight is a sliding u-notch blade attached to a sliding escalator assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece laminate wood set with a capped forend/bayonet lug & cleaning rod, barrel band w/ sling bar, through bolt, semi-pistol grip, sling well & passthrough, bolt disassembly disc, straight comb, and steel buttplate. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. The wrist is completely split down to the stock on both sides and forend cap are cracked. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Poor to Fair overall condition as refinished due to the cracks.

Type of Finish: Cold Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is strong. The bore has been polished. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at a 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is moderate thinning and patina throughout with scratches and nicks. The buttplate has pitting and rust. The leading edges are worn. The screw heads show light use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as refinished.

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 Wilhelm-Gustloff-Werke “bcd” code K98k represents the harsh realities of late-war German production, when materials and labor were under extreme pressure and quality standards were beginning to slip in the face of Allied advances. Produced in 1944, this rifle was made during a time of accelerated wartime output, and it reflects the utilitarian manufacturing practices of the period, including rougher machining, simplified finishes, and cold bluing. Despite these constraints, the K98k design remained sound—its Mauser action was time-tested, accurate, and battle-proven. Rifles from the Gustloff factory are notable not only for their wartime significance but also for being relatively scarce in comparison to output from larger plants like Mauser in Oberndorf. This particular rifle is notable for having all-matching serialized components, which is quite rare among surviving K98ks, especially those subjected to the rigors of late-war service and postwar handling. The bore has been polished and remains bright with strong rifling and only light erosion, suggesting it could still serve as a capable shooter with proper care. While the metal has been refinished and shows signs of aging and use, the markings remain clearly visible. The stock, however, tells a different story—its laminate wood exhibits structural cracks and a split wrist, placing it in poor to fair condition. The structural integrity of the stock may warrant attention if the rifle is to be fired, but it remains historically valuable for display purposes.

For collectors of German military arms, particularly those with an interest in late-war production, this bcd-coded K98k offers a compelling mix of originality and survival. While not a mint-condition museum piece, it represents an authentic artifact of Germany’s desperate final years of WWII. The all-matching serialized parts, intact Waffenamt stamps, and sharp bore provide a solid foundation for collectors, restorers, or historical enthusiasts looking to preserve a rifle from one of the Third Reich’s lesser-known armories. Its flaws do not diminish its value as a piece of wartime history—they enhance its character as a survivor from a collapsing war machine.