This is a nice example of a prototype K98 style heavy barreled sniper rifle with serial number 7. 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 rifles produced during WWII. They also however 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. There are two small Mauser "eagle/63" proofs on the right side and the left side has the German eagle firing proof and the serial number "7". The receiver side wall has the standard "MOD 98" markings. As noted the receiver has the correct low turret scope bases, and rings, all of which are unmarked or proofed. The receiver is fitted with an 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, (0-500 meters). The two most intriguing features of this rifle is that it is fitted with a heavy target type sniper barrel with a new factory (not cut down) half length beech stock and handguard. The barrel is very similar 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 stock and handguard are both stamped with serial number "7" and the stock is identical to the late war version that lack the bolt takedown washer and also has the late wartime cupped buttplate, with the takedown hole in the lower left hand side. The shorter style stock and handguard did away with all the front bedding problems and additional parts associated with the full length stock. This style of half-stock is very similar to many of the current match or target type stocks used today. 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 forestock. Both forestock 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 forestock and handguard to dampen barrel vibrations. The rear sight and 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. The rifle retains 99% of the arsenal blue finish. The wood is also excellent with a small chip on the edge of the sling cutout and a couple of small dings. The scope, bases and rings retain 99% 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 unnumbered. A very intriguing rifle that would certainly be a great centerpiece for a sniper collection.