Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #4094
  • Lot #413
Lot #412
Lot #414

Lot 413: Mauser "byf" Code "42" Date Model 98K Bolt Action Rifle

Mauser "byf" Code "42" Date Model 98K Bolt Action Rifle Documented as the War Trophy of a Bastogne Veteran

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: May 2, 2025

Lot 413: Mauser "byf" Code "42" Date Model 98K Bolt Action Rifle

Mauser "byf" Code "42" Date Model 98K Bolt Action Rifle Documented as the War Trophy of a Bastogne Veteran

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: May 2, 2025

Estimated Price: $7,500 - $10,000

Mauser "byf" Code "42" Date Model 98K Bolt Action Rifle Documented as the War Trophy of a Bastogne Veteran

Manufacturer: Mauser
Model: 98
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 8 mm
Barrel: 24 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip:
Stock: laminate
Item Views: 1184
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 349
Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with minor signs of use and sharp rifling.
Description:

Included with this rifle is a 1994 dated letter from a previous owner, which lays out a chain of possession from himself, to the Trigger Hill Trading Post of Salinas, California, to a 1st Lieutenant Robert Trammell of the 318th Infantry Regiment (80th Division), to the German Army. According to the letter, Lieutenant Trammel, while acting as a platoon leader in April 1945 inside Germany, took this rifle (ID'd by serial number in the letter) as a trophy during an advance on Kassel (written as "Kastel" in the letter). Kassel served as headquarters of Wehrkreis (military district) IX and the location of a Dachau sub-camp providing forced labor for the manufacture of Tiger I and King Tiger tanks and was taken after multiple days of dirty house-to-house fighting. Prior to Kassel, the 318th was involved with the relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge; a letter to the editor of "The Bulge Bugle" in May 1996 from "R.J. Trammell, Jr., 80th INFD 318 INF 1 BN D" relates the story of a Christmas Day assault towards Tintange, Belgium, which brought heavy German fire while attempting to pass through a tree farm, resulting in extremely high casualties from unintentional airbursting of the enemy shells. Reports of Trammell's post-VE exploits are limited; he's reported as having participated in the occupation of Bavaria in spite of wounds suffered in the line of duty, was in Salinas, California circa late December 1993-early January 1994 to sell a rifle, and was still up, about, and in a mood for letter writing in 1996. The rifle is equipped with fixed sights and a brown leather sling, with a "40E2" marked barrel, "byf/42" receiver, and a smooth matching numbered stock with "WaA135" proofs and a cupped steel buttplate. The rifle also has a bayonet marked, "DURKOPP", with an unnumbered sheath and a black leather frog.

Rating Definition:

Fine, with 50% of the original blue finish, showing some areas of brown patina, along with some minor handling marks and spotting. The wood is also fine, with a number of scuffs and scratches, and the leather shows some cracking and stains. The bayonet is good, with a screw absent from the grip and a rough scabbard and frog. Mechanically excellent. An interesting War trophy documented to a veteran of the Bastogne.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #1233: Mauser "byf/44" Code K98k Rifle

    Lot #782: Mauser "42"/"byf" P.08 Luger, with Holster

    Lot #286: Mauser "42/byf" P.08 Luger with Holster, Extra Magazines

    Lot #248: Mauser "byf"/"41" P.08 Luger with Holster, Extra Magazine

    Lot #1217: WWII German Mauser "byf/44" Code P.38 Semi-Automatic Pistol

    Lot #221: 7.62 NATO Converted Gustloff-Werke "bcd/43" Code K98k