Gustloff Werke Sniper

K98 GUSTLOFF WERKE BCD 44 – 8×57 CALIBER WITH RARE OPTICOTECHNA SCOPE
EARLY 1944 PRODUCTION

The K98 Gustloff Werke BCD 44 is one of the most sought-after German military rifles among historical firearms collectors, particularly when found in original condition and with consistent components, as in this example. It was produced in 1944 at the Gustloff-Werke factory in Weimar, identified by the factory code bcd.

This is an early 1944 production, recognizable by the slightly misaligned number “4” on the receiver. This production batch was intended for the German Army (Heer).

The rifle features a period-correct stock. Stocks produced by Gustloff are known for being noticeably thicker in the pistol-grip area compared to other manufacturers.

This example belongs to the phosphated production series, ranging approximately from serial number 4242 to 99326.

The overall condition is excellent, especially considering the age of the rifle. The wood remains solid, with a consistent patina and signs of use compatible with its period, while the metal parts retain an even and authentic finish, without invasive interventions or obvious modern restorations.

A particularly notable feature is the extremely rare scope, marked “DOW”, produced by Opticotechna, based in Prerau, Czechoslovakia. The optic features an adjustment scale from 1 to 8, corresponding to a range setting from 100 to 800 meters, a characteristic typical of military optics of the period.

The presence of this scope makes this K98 Gustloff Werke BCD 44 a particularly difficult configuration to find on the market today, especially in a coherent and well-preserved setup.