Pre WW1 Gew 98 Infantry Rifle…………(F 860) SOLD
Created on May 21st 2020
Fully Matching Gew 98
A very interesting Gew 98 by the Prussian arsenal Erfurt which is fully matching, right down to the numbered stock. After many years of trials and tribulation which it is said could be traced back as early as 1895 the Imperial German Army settled on this now famous design. The solid receiver with straight bolt handle and turn-bolt action. Another new feature was the internal staggered box magazine which could hold five rounds. The rifle cocks on closing the bolt, where the new round has been firmly seated into position, and the spring is compressed. The bolt has a three position safety to the rear, all the bolt components carry matching numbers. As in early practice the shroud is marked with two early Imperial acceptance marks then the last two digits of the serial number. Stem of bolt handle marked with serial number and Imperial acceptance marks.
Overall the rifle measures 1250mm in length. The round blued barrel is 740mm and has four-grove RH twist concentric pattern. The trigger pull is 13″ to centre. Stocked in a single piece European Walnut semi-pistol grip stock with a short hand-guard over the barrel. As a clue to the travels of this particular rifle it is clearly evident that the stock has been “duffle-cut“. This was the practice of separating the stock from the hardware of the rifle so to make it short enough to conceal in an allied soldiers’ duffle bag. However, merely seperating the components was not enough to complete the ruse and deceive the MPs at the dockside on return to the US or Great Britian, the thing would still be too long so, the troops then took the drastic measure of cutting the stock in two, knowing that it would now fit and they could reunite the two halves when they got home. These are often encountered with a wobbly front half, but this one has been very well repaired. The individual who took on this repair has gone to the trouble of placing an 1/8″ insert in the cut, then finishing to the overall correct length. These often turn up with loose fittings and stocks which are just too short; things dont line up properly, which is a constant annoyance. This repair has been well executed and is neither unsightly or crude – a very good job.
Chambered in 8mm Mauser (7.92mm x 57) these rifles often turn out to be highly accurate on our modern day ranges. Ammunition is readily available. This will be a pleasure to shoot. The rifle is equipped with the early Lange Visier sights (ramp sight) which is graduated up to 2000 meters. A simple inverted V mounted on the front block, with a machine hatched rear ramp to cut down glare acts as the fore-sight. The receivers were finished in the white and marked as on this example; “Imperial Crown (device)/ ERFURT / 1902″ The LH outer side wall is marked with the model designation; ” Gew 98″ in a gothic script. All the remaining metallic parts are number marked. The receiver and barrel carry the full serial number “1810 l.“
All the correct fittings are present including, bayonet fixing and “H”-shaped nose-band. Plain steel disc in the RHS of the butt-stock under which are the imperial cartouches. The semi-pistol grip shows and Imperial acceptance stamps. The rifle is still equipped with what appears to be an original leather sling with the white stitching and the correct early rear sling swivel. Just below the rear sling mount is a clear unmolested stamping of the serial number, under enough un-disturbed patina to be original and not placed on there at a later date. The steel numbered butt plate still carries a small degree of colour. Correct cleaning rod is present under the muzzle. The floor plate of the magazine and the trigger plate are also correctly marked with numbers and acceptance marks. Even the screws carry the correct numbers. The RHS of the receiver carries three clear Imperial markings and the later UK proof mark. This is a good clean example of a very early Gew 98 in its original form.
The bore has strong rifling and may well clean up after shooting. An absolute must to any serious military rifle collector and a mainstay in modern precision rifle development.
Stock No’ f 860
£ 950. SOLD
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