WW I Mauser Gew 98 by DWM for 1915………………… (F 1165)

A Good WW I built DWM Mauser Gew 98 for 1915

This Gewehre 98 was produced in standard German military specification, with the new Mauser 3-lug bolt locking system and solid receiver. It has the 5-shot internal magazine and straight arm bolt with the three position flag safety to the rear.  Overall the rifle measures 49″.  The round barrel is a nominal 29″ long and the trigger Pull is 13″ to centre. Fully stocked in its original walnut semi-pistol grip stock with half-length hand guard over the barrel.  Stock numbered to the rifle below the trigger guard.  Steel butt-plate with matching serial number. Chambered in the 8mm (7.92 x 57mm) cartridge. Barrel step marked with calibre, shows “7.91”  Chamber carries the “S” for Spitzer. Outer action wall marked in Gothic script; “Gew 98”.  Receiver is bright and all markings easily discernible. This is the World War One or Great War rifle that the German Infantry was armed with and faced up to the British SMLE across No Mans Land. The rifle of the Dreaded Hun! They were know for their inherent accuracy as derived from a very strong action.

Straight arm bolt also now without finish but, all parts are matching.  The serial number marked upon the LHS of the receiver ring is “7004 / c”  The receiver ring is clearly marked “DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND / MUNITIONSFABRIKEN. / BERLIN / 1915”  Three Imperial inspectors marks on RHS of receiver. The serial number is repeated on the barrel shank LHS between the rear sights and the receiver.  “Lange-Visier” type rear sight graduated from 400 to 2000 meters. No windage adjustment.  Standard front sight on a block with cross-hatched ramp to reduce glare.  Front or nose band to the stock has the clever marching hook used by the infantry to do as is suggested by the name

All other parts, fixtures and fitting bare matching numbers, even the action fixing screws are correct.  The underside of the bolt stub has Imperial inspection marks and the stock carries the matching number.  The stock shows all the normal Imperial German markings in all the usual places.  Clear cartouches below the stock ID disc which is unmarked.  It is interesting to note that this rifle is able to give us a very strong clue as to how it returned to Old Blighty in that it give a clear tell-tale sign of its means of arrival.  Often these items were secreated about the returning soldiers as they had often been strictly instructed not to bring such things home.  The clue is the “Duffle Cut”.  This was a means of shortening the overall length of the rifle by cutting the stock once removed from the action.  If not cu the stock would give away its presence and the MP’s would swip it off the returning Tommy.  Careful inspection reveals a 90 degree saw cut across the fore-end, just infront of the mid-band and spring.  This apparently awful act (to us) would allow the dissassembled rifle to be effectively hidden from the authorities.  The cut has been repaired and is secure.

A fine example of the infamous Rifle of the Jack-booted Hunn.  If you didn’t know that the rifle had been duffle-cut you would be lucky to spot it.  the stock is light with the regular quantity of dings and dents assocciated with a military rifle from the period.  The steel is adopting the mottle look in its ageing process – all of which have been seen before.  The bore is very good and the rifle has been CIP approved – so is ready to go.  A chance to pick up as good as an example of the marq and a chance to put one through its paces to see if you measure up to expectation.  A fine collectible and usable piece.

Stock No F 1165 – FAC required

£ 1495.

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