[I] have a byf bring back from WW2 all original . It sat in the corner for 50+ years. Now i want to know what the markings are to identify the piece. ALL S/N match ,Bore sparkles, 95% bluing, stock is proper S/N Walked in the gun show and 3 dealers offered $600. for it ,but i would like some info.on the stamping first

another shot

Any help appreciated.Pict #!right side of bbl forward of receiver,#2Top of receiver,#3 left on receiver ,#4&5 l.side of Bbl. ahead of receiver

That SSZZA4 stamp is explained on page 302 in "Backbone of the Wehrmacht" by Law as being stamped on the 42-43 BNZ built Mausers but does not mention being stamped on BYF rifles. Maybe done by a depot rebuild?
Anyway, it is supposedly to designate that the gun was built or reworked for the Nazi SS. In my personal opinion, it looks like it is original to the gun (they are often faked) but I do not declare myself an expert. Is yours a 44 built gun? The number may be stamped lower, under the BYF which stands for Mauser.
Naturally anything related to the SS brings a premium from collectors.

BYF would designate the Mauser Oberndorf factory as the maker. moosedog is correct that many of these SS contract are faked unfortunately as an SS 98k is usually worth a bundle more than a standard 98k. THe WaA 135 stamp are correct for a 44 built rifle. Should have last no. of year made under BYF. These guns are moving like hotcakes these days. Classic firearms sold out all there Mix-matcher 98ks in 1 hour a couple weeks back. Am no expert but either but check out Gun Boards Forum 98k section and they can give more info.

The Waffenamt Eagle /135 is the inspection mark assigned the Mauser (BYF) from 41 to 45

Waffenamt Eagle 623 (on the bbl) is the inspection mark assigned to Steyr Works (Austria) in the same time period.

I don't know enough about these to say if it was rebbld with a Steyr bbl or if Mauser plant was supplied with Steyr bbls and used them to assemble the rifle originally.

The Eagle/Swastica is the Nazi era Proof mark

The most interesting mark is the
Eagle/ SS runes ZZA4
That is on the bbl.

The marking is a rare one,,it is an SS property mark.

HOWEVER it is one of the most frequently faked markings on K98;s

There are several versions including a graphic 'Deaths Head' imprint along with those Runes, letters and number.

The SS marking is faked onto most any Nazi arms and equipment with hopes of bringing extreme money,,so buyers are very wary and hesitant to purchase SS marked items.
Even the real thing gets passed over because the fakers have gotten so good,,the experts can't be 100% sure anymore. Sad

I tend to think the marking is real from the history of the gun as you tell it and the look of it in the closeup photo.
I don't know a lot about those SS rifles, but I believe the stock was also marked on the butt with a stamping and the action probably would have the same stamp applied as the bbl.
So I'm thinking a re=bbled Mauser mfg rifle w/a Steyr bbl that happens to have the SS mark on it.

Do some investigation on the net. Look up things like Nazi barrel mark zza4,,or SS barrel mark zza4 there's probably plenty of pics and info.

I would think a true SS marked k98 would be in the 3K and up range,,,a regular matching k98 about the prices you were offered, perhaps a little more for the non-import, pristine bore ect..
Current auctions should help with values.

Just my opinion of course,,and I've been away from the milsurp scene for quite a while..

I would recommend The K98k Forum. If you can get through to a fellow named mrfarb you be talking to one of the most respected authorities on K98ks in the U.S. He is quite friendly and has answered my questions quite a few times. There are several others at that site that are also extremely knowledgeable.

From what I have read most of the ones marked with the SSZZA4 stamp were depot rebuilds.

To me the stamp looks good but German Mausers aren't my specialty, I prefer the Swedes, much simpler. German Mausers can be as confusing as nuclear fission. It is said that 95% of the SS stamps are fakes these days.

A matching K98k would be worth at least 1K and up these days,

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I know that it was brought back by a member of my wife's family and given to me @1958-60 no papers were talked about ,and he has passed away. I will bet he did not add any stamps to it iIt has been cut under the front sling band to fit in his bag and came home with him om the boat.[I]f it was refinished by the Germans they took great care to keep all parts together ,each part of the bolt bands , stock, magazine parts are all the same # . The but plate is the cupped type and stamped org?

If you've had it that long it's probably legit. I doubt people were faking these in the 50s.

If I were you I'd go to a dedicated Mauser forum

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

You can also try military surplus collectors forum.

I agree with Arik. Sounds like it is legit and a depot build. These 98k were cheap in the 50s and 60s and many were sporterized. Sounds like you hit the jackpot on this one. With those stampings I would guess value at around a couple grand these days.

With a legit SS stamp even more.

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

If the K98's possession can be traced back for 50+ years. the SS stamp is very likely legit. On the militaria market, genuine WWII German articles of any kind are greatly outnumbered by those which are the result of forgery and fraud, to the point that any serious collector will automatically assume anything he is offered will be bogus.

Keep it, it's a piece of your history now. Pass it along to a family member.

I'd suggest checking it out on this forum(link provided). These guys are very good on K98s.
Jim
WW2 Weapons Forum

well i posted it and pictures on the internet and it is sold . I now will be able to purchase at least 3 s&w 27's .I do wish to thank all that helped direct me in the direction i needed to go. The gun held no interest for me and it will now reside with a Mauser collector ,and publisher of Mauser books. The K-98 Was repaired at a depot run by or controlled by STYER ans the Waffen SS
Kinda like a smith collector getting smith owned by that guy ED. somebody.
But again thanks for the usual forum help

Thanks for the update. Just hope you received a respectful sum of cash as these guns are rare and often expensive