This is another beautiful example of a prototype K98 style heavy barreled sniper rifle "Serial Number 7". This rifle is almost identical to the "Long Side" rifle that is also offered in this auction, except it was built using the turret type sniper set up. The rifle was assembled using an early wartime K98 Mauser receiver only this version was fitted with a set of low turret sniper mounts. These turret style sniper rifles were one of the most used and best handling German sniper rifle produced during WWI. However, they also proved to be one of the most time consuming and difficult to manufacture. The top of the receiver is covered by the front turret base, however, we can see the lower portion of two small Mauser eagle 63 proofs on the right side just below the base and the receiver side wall has the standard "MOD 98" markings. The left side of the receiver has the remnants of the original German Eagle firing proof along with serial number "7". As noted the receiver has the correct low turret scope bases, and rings, all of which are unmarked or proofed. With a early Hensoldt-Dialytan scope. The side of the scope is marked; "HENSOLDT-WETZLAR/DIALYTAN 4X Nr.726", and it has a taper post and cross-hair reticule similar to that used in the US M82 and M84 scopes. The top elevation knob is correctly marked with a range scale, from 0-50, which we assume would correspond to 0-500 meters. The two most intriguing features of this rifle, like the long side rail offered in this auction, is that it is fitted with a heavy target type sniper barrel with a new factory (not cut down) half length hardwood (beech) stock and handguard. The stock and handguard are both stamped with serial number "7" and the stock is identical to the late war version that lack the bolt take down washer and also has the late wartime cupped buttplate, with the take down hole in the lower left hand side. This style of half-stock is very similar to the many of the current match or target type stock used today. The shorter style stock and handguard did away with all the front bedding problems and additional parts associated with the full length stock. The forestock extends to approximately 5 inches in front of the rear sight base the corresponding handguard is approximately 5 3/4 inches in length that goes from the middle of the rear sight base to the end of the foreshock. Both foreshock and handguard are retained with a VZ24 style barrel band with the side mounted sling swivel. This style of barrel band provided the necessary tension to the foreshock and handguard to dampen barrel vibrations. The barrel is very similar to in size to the early MG-34 barrel diameter and configuration, that is approximately 23 inch long and has the standard four lands and groove rifling. The outside diameter measures approximately 1 inch at the front of the receiver tapers down to approximately 7/8 at the rear sight base and then tapers down to approximately 3/4 of an inch at the muzzle. The rear sight and base are from a Czech G33/40 carbine with the short tangent with the locking screw in front of the base. The leaf is correctly graduated from 100-1000 meters. The barrel is fitted with a machined prototype K98 style front sight that consists of a machined front sight base that is mounted on a semi-circle round barrel band that has been soldered on the to barrel, that has also been fitted with a Czechoslovakian front sight protector. The top of the barrel behind the rear sight base is marked "OP/90/dot-40" with four "eagle 63" proofmarks over a small single WWII German eagle firing proof. The lower left side of the barrel (below the stock line) is also marked with "S/4656/3". The "dot" markings are the wartime code for the Waffenwerke factory at Bruno, Czechoslovakia. The rifle is fitted with a late war, unmarked Czech, large trigger guard stamped box magazine, trigger guard assembly and the bolt is an earlier style that has the single guide rib with the enlarged gas holes with a standard bolt shroud, safety and cocking knob.

Excellent plus with 99% of the arsenal blued finish overall showing no handling marks anywhere. The stock and handguard are also in as new condition showing no handling marks any where. The scope, bases, rings and Hensoldt scope also retains 99% of their current finish with clear sharp optics. The markings overall are clear and sharp. The rifle has matching serial numbers on the various parts that include the stock, handguard, bolt and receiver, with the remaining parts all being unnumbered. A very intriguing rifle that would certainly be a great center piece for a sniper collection along with the Long Side rail rifle also offered in this auction.