This Late 1944 production K98K single claw sniper rifle was manufactured by Steyr-Daimler ("BNZ" code). The rifle is complete with original sling, lens caps, muzzle cover, cleaning rod, scope and matching serial numbered can. In addition, the rifle retains the original wooden crate in which it was shipped to the United States after World War II. The rifle is illustrated on page 120 of "SNIPER VARIATIONS OF THE GERMAN K98K RIFLE" by Richard D. Law. The rifle mounts a Hensoldt & Sohne (code "BMJ") Dialytan 4x telescopic sight, serial number "75422." The telescopic sight body is stamped with a "+" behind the maker's code indicating it was suitable for cold weather operations. The single claw mount is similar to the pattern developed in World War I that utilized a single locking claw to attach the telescopic sight to bases soldered to the receiver rings. The rifle serial number is located on the left side of the barrel ahead of the breech, on the left side of the front scope base and mount, on the forward face of the rear scope base and mount, on the bolt handle, cocking piece, striker, safety, floor plate and upper and lower barrel band. The right side of the barrel is stamped with the "AVK" manufacturer's code. The bolt is equipped with a special milled safety to facilitate use of the telescopic sight. The barrel bands are the stamped and welded, first pattern secured with a spring retainer on the right side. The floor plate and trigger guard are the late, stamped pattern. Rifle components have a dull, military blue finish. The telescopic sight has a polished blue finish. The stock is the late pattern with laminated wood and checkered butt plate. The barrel is stamped with a firing proof centered just ahead of the breech. Two "eagle/WaA77" army acceptance marks are stamped on the right side of the barrel below the rear sight. The bolt has an "eagle/77" stamp on the body near the face, two similar stamps under the handle, on the cocking piece, striker, and safety. The trigger guard and floor plate are marked with "eagle/135" acceptance stamps. The right side of the stock bears a crisp "eagle/swastika/H" army proof below the stock disk. The brown leather sling has a cross hatched pattern. The black, cowhide lens caps have a partially obscured "eagle/WaA" mark on one cover. The scope can is stamped with the rifles serial number on the lid along with an "eagle/swastika" acceptance mark and "JVB". The can has been repainted black and marked "DON FOX McCONNELSVILLE, OHIO" in artfully applied white letters. The rifle is complete with the handmade wooden case in which it was shipped to the United States from Germany after World War II. The crate which has numerous Engineer markings stenciled on the interior is addressed: "TO MRS. NELLIE B. FOX/915 MAIN ST./ McCONNELSVILLE OHIO." The return address is "FROM CHARLES D. FOX 35279621/CO B 942 ENG. AVN. TOPO. BN./A.P.O. 634/ C/O P.M.N.Y.N.Y." The crate retains the four .20 cent stamps and one 2 cent.

Excellent, as issued condition and appears to have been taken directly from factory or ordnance storage as a war trophy. The only exception is a professionally renumbered original pattern bolt and forward band. 98% of the original finish is present on the balance of blued components. The telescopic sight optics are crystal clear. The stock and handguard are both in excellent plus condition. The sling, lens cover, and muzzle cover are also near new. This is a late production "BNZ" single claw sniper rifle in near mint condition with great G.I. trophy provenance. It would be nearly impossible to improve upon this rifle!