I am considering purchasing a WWII vintage Mauser 98 I recently saw that has beeen sporterized and rebarreled to .257 Roberts. The bolt has been altered and a scope safety and Timney trigger installed, and it has been restocked. It has the Nazi eagle on the left side of the front receiver ring. My confusion is the marking on top of the receiver. It is stamped "dou" and "43". I know that it was manufactured in 1943, but am at a loss for where it was made. I've seen lots on Mausers, but don't recall one with that symbol. Any help with where it was made and the general quality and strength of that year and manufacturer would be greatly appreciated. The rifle needs some TLC and a new extractor, but the barrel, stock and action seem worth the trouble and expense. Thanks

The "dou" mark stands for: Waffenwerke Bruenn A-G, Werk Bystrica. The "43" is the year of manufacture. Most called the German Model 24(t)........a pretty good Mauser action,just before the heat treating, etc. went to pot.........James

The rifle appears to be a WWII Kar98k rifle made in Czechoslovakia in 1943. I doubt that it is a Model 24(t) rifle made in 1943 since the Germans changed the designation when they took over in 1938. Even rifles made at the BRNO arsenal were often marked Model 98 instead of VZ-24 later in the war. I have several examples of these rifles in my collection and verified their markings. All the best...
Gil

See Page 172 in "Mauser Bolt Rifles" by Ludwig Olson-third Edition for a "dou" that is a Model 24(t) with two pictures marked as my last post........James

Thanks for your help. Sounds like the action and rifle are worth spending some money and elbow grease on to restore. The action appears to have been pretty well finished and not as rough as some of those made later. Thanks, Keith

See Page 172 in "Mauser Bolt Rifles" by Ludwig Olson-third Edition for a "dou" that is a Model 24(t) with two pictures marked as my last post........James

See page 307 of "Small Arms of the World" 10th Revised Edition wherein it states..."During the war the production of the Model 24 was gradually changed so that the rifles which were being produced at the end of the war were actually Kar98ks."... So it would require a close examination of the referenced rifle to actually determine if it is a 24(t) or a Kar98k. Good discussion. All the best...
Gil

Gil......I think you are correct. The rifle Olson showed had a date of "41".......Maybe the change over for this maker was in "42"? Since the bands, etc are gone, the inscription on the left side of the action might help.........James