Gewehr 98

[highpower]

This finally showed up today after being delayed by the Christmas rush. At first glance it just looks like another beat up old Mauser rifle.




But, at second glance, when you look at it a little closer:












Faint traces of the Imperial acceptance cartouches:


Yep, it's an all matching (except for the bolt shroud) 1916 Oberndorf Gewehr 98. Most of these WWI G98's have been either reworked by German arsenals or sold to Turkey (where they were reworked), so it is kind of tough to find one that still has all it's original parts including the numbered trigger guard screws and the roller coaster rear sight. The bore on it is shiny with very sharp lands and grooves and easily passes the muzzle bullet test.

I have been looking for one of these with matching numbers, no Turkish markings and a price I can afford for a number of years. To go with it I found some 1955 vintage 8mm ammo in original boxes from the Ejercito Ecuatoriano at a LGS.

[eth727]

Where is your piklehaube helmet and butcher blade bayonet?

[I Swan]

In SoCal I almost never run across Mausers that still have those style rear sights.

[highpower]

In SoCal I almost never run across Mausers that still have those style rear sights.

That is because nearly all of them have been converted post WWI to the later style rear sights like what are on a K98 or a Persian Mauser. If you find a G98 that has a blued receiver and/or bolt, it has been refinished. Originally the receiver and bolts were in the white.

Where is your piklehaube helmet and butcher blade bayonet?

No piklehaube or bayonet......yet. Christmas kind of wiped me out. I do believe that I need to get a M1916 helmet though.

[ltong29]

The bolt handle looks like it was ground down and re-numbered. Also, the bolt handle should have the letter under the serial. Everything else looks great on the rifle!

[Rogerbutthead]

I share Ltong29's doubts. Did you run this past the experts on Gunboards?

[highpower]

[Spartan301]

Congrats!

Great find!

[eth727]

Time to go over the top and run into no mans land with thing!

[I Swan]

I think the lowest setting on those sights is 400 meters. If you watch the 1977 version of All Quiet on the Western Front the rifles the Germans use are incorrect they are probably later Turk Mausers they have the later rear sight.

[Rogerbutthead]

Can you post a pic of the underside of the bolt?

[Yetiultimate]

I need a Gew98 to go with my K98

[highpower]

Can you post a pic of the underside of the bolt?

My goodness, you are certainly more worried about the bolt than I am. ( I saw that you linked this thread over on Gunboards)

But, to satisfy your curiosity, I am pretty sure this is an Imperial German proof.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

That is a very nice G98, congrats. There appears to be some pitting along the edge of the stock, hopefully it is minor without any surprises below the wood.

Regardless great pickup!

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I think the lowest setting on those sights is 400 meters.