This is an exceptional example of a WWII 98K single claw sniper rifle that was manufactured by the Steyr factory in 1943/44. This style of sniper rifle was based on the tried and true German claw mounted scope system with the front and rear scope bases soldered to the front and rear receiver rings that is mated to a single claw mount on the scope. The top of the receiver ring is covered by the base with the rifle serial number (3620E) stamped on the side of the front base. The top of the barrel is marked with the small circular Steyr factory proof mark, next to "ce W", the barrel code, next to a single "WaA623" proofmark. The receiver side wall is marked "MOD 98" which is correct for this series of rifle. It has the standard tangent rear sight inverted 'V' front sight along with the correct milled barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate. The stock and handguard are the correct late war laminated versions with a smooth cupped butt plate with the take down bolt through the butt stock. The right side of the butt stock has a single very small Heers/Army acceptance proofs and no other proofs or numbers. The scope itself is a correct WWII Hensoldt version, that is marked on the side "DIALYTAN 4X/75863/bmj/blue cross". The left side of the front claw mount is numbered "E/3620" and the rear scope ring and base are numbered "3620" on the upper and lower sections. The rifle is complete with an original WWII smooth-brown leather sling, an original green metal scope can that is marked on the lid "5051d/eagle proof/jvb" for the wartime maker, front sight cover, rubber muzzle cover and cleaning rod.

Excellent overall with 98% plus of the original blue finish showing minor high spot wear, with some blue loss on the bolt body and handle from cycling the action. The stock and handguard are both excellent with a nice matching color overall. There are some minor handling marks overall with a small plastic wood type repair on the upper rear edge on the left side of the buttstock in front of the buttplate. The scope and rings are all excellent with 99% of their original blue finish with edges and high spot wear from handling over the years and clear optics. The correct scope can has 95% of the green Army painted finish overall and as noted is numbered to another rifle, with a green canvas/cloth carrying strap that shows some fraying on the lower sections. This is most likely the finest example of a single claw 98k sniper rifle!