mauser1908
Senior Member
From 1898 to 1918 the gew 98 underwent substantial changes. Many of these were subtle and not easily identified without advanced disassembly. From the collector’s point of view, stock finish is one of the most obvious changes. Big thanks to Chris and Cyrus for modeling their rifles.
Linseed Oil Varnish- Linseed Oil Varnish is the most commonly observed finish on most Gew 98s, and was the dominant treatment from 1898 through 1916. There is a great degree of variation from maker to maker and even rifle to rifle. Linseed oil’s photo reactive nature lends some stocks to appear stained with a vast color spectrum from blond to almost black. Linseed oil characteristically builds up on the wood’s surface with each additional applications. During the stock finishing process, stocks were treated with three applications of varnish. Due to shortage, in February of 1916, the Prussian War Ministry required that all state arsenals and supervised private firms switch to a train oil. While the directive was issued in February, linseed oil varnish was the dominate stock treatment through 1916. [1]
A 1916 JPS finished with a very high quality, late, linseed oil varnish. Sam/mauser1908 Collection.
Train Oil- Train oil is the first Ersatz stock finishing treatment. During 1916, train oil was applied side by side with linseed oil varnish ultimately becoming the primary finishing agent in 1917.1 While the composition is unknown, the sealing agent was whale (train) oil. This was rendered from various aquatic mammals to include; whales, seals, and dolphins.
1917 dated materials request poster. Translation: "Fisherman bring train oil, catch dolphins and seals".
Train oil stocks are easily recognized from their dry and almost anemic look. This agent failed to build up externally like its predecessor and is synonymous with the dominance of beech stocks. They present a more natural appearance.
1917 Ambergs with train oil finishes. Sam/mauser1908 Collection.
Untreated- By the end of 1917, train oil was all but exhausted. With no stop gap measure at this time, rifles with untreated stocks were delivered in the Fall of 1917. [1] This is best observed today by looking at the late war powerhouse manufacturers of Danzig and Amberg. Danzig stocks north of the ‘v’ block seem to often lack any factory applied finish. Danzig is well represented by very orange, natural looking beech stocks during this period. Sealed stocks become observed again during the ‘cc’ block of 1917 with the introduction of Kronegrund/Kronenol finishes.[2]
Two wonderful examples of natural beech stocks, from Danzig's 'w' and 'cc' blocks of 1917. Cyrus/PrayingMantis and Chris/chrisftk collections.
Kronengrund/ Kronenol- The stain and sealant company Jaeger, which is still in existence today, created the final observed stock treatment. Kronengrund and Kronenol was a two stage stock treatment protocol. Unlike train oil, which was inferior to linseed oil varnish, the Kronengrund/Kroneneol procedure was a legitimate alternative to linseed oil. Use of this procedure was not directed until February of 1918. To outline the process, Kronengrund was a applied and allowed to dry for 15 minutes. Following the drying period, Kronenol was applied. Kronegrund alone, provided excellent protection, the Kronenol treatment enhanced the water repelling capability of the finish. [1] In this case, forensic observations differ significantly from the original documentation; not unlike the use of beech stocks prior to 1916. While Jaeger’s procedure wasn’t authorized until early 1918; this finish appeared toward the end of 1917. Kronengrund/Kronenol is easily identified from its brushed on enamel like appearance. It has the appearance of a modern varnish and is far more shiny than linseed oil. It also presents a built up appearance on the surface of the wood.
Kronengrund/Kroneno finishes on a late 1917 WMO, and probably the finest 1918 DWM in existence. Sam/mauser1908 and Chris/chrisftk Collections.
Period Sanding- Disclaimer: Controversial topic. This is in no way an attempt to legitimize sanded stocks. With that said, period sanding did occur on a case by case basis. The typical model for period sanding was in conjunction with a stock repair done through a procedure of uniformly sanding all or most of the stock.
Period sanding due to a stock repair on a 1916 DWM. This repair was completed at Köln. Sam/mauser1908 Collection.
[1] Storz, Dieter . 2006. Rifle & Carbine 98. Verlag Militaria pages 94-96.
[2] mauser1908 Gl.V. Trends, 2017-2022
Linseed Oil Varnish- Linseed Oil Varnish is the most commonly observed finish on most Gew 98s, and was the dominant treatment from 1898 through 1916. There is a great degree of variation from maker to maker and even rifle to rifle. Linseed oil’s photo reactive nature lends some stocks to appear stained with a vast color spectrum from blond to almost black. Linseed oil characteristically builds up on the wood’s surface with each additional applications. During the stock finishing process, stocks were treated with three applications of varnish. Due to shortage, in February of 1916, the Prussian War Ministry required that all state arsenals and supervised private firms switch to a train oil. While the directive was issued in February, linseed oil varnish was the dominate stock treatment through 1916. [1]
A 1916 JPS finished with a very high quality, late, linseed oil varnish. Sam/mauser1908 Collection.
Train Oil- Train oil is the first Ersatz stock finishing treatment. During 1916, train oil was applied side by side with linseed oil varnish ultimately becoming the primary finishing agent in 1917.1 While the composition is unknown, the sealing agent was whale (train) oil. This was rendered from various aquatic mammals to include; whales, seals, and dolphins.
1917 dated materials request poster. Translation: "Fisherman bring train oil, catch dolphins and seals".
Train oil stocks are easily recognized from their dry and almost anemic look. This agent failed to build up externally like its predecessor and is synonymous with the dominance of beech stocks. They present a more natural appearance.
1917 Ambergs with train oil finishes. Sam/mauser1908 Collection.
Untreated- By the end of 1917, train oil was all but exhausted. With no stop gap measure at this time, rifles with untreated stocks were delivered in the Fall of 1917. [1] This is best observed today by looking at the late war powerhouse manufacturers of Danzig and Amberg. Danzig stocks north of the ‘v’ block seem to often lack any factory applied finish. Danzig is well represented by very orange, natural looking beech stocks during this period. Sealed stocks become observed again during the ‘cc’ block of 1917 with the introduction of Kronegrund/Kronenol finishes.[2]
Two wonderful examples of natural beech stocks, from Danzig's 'w' and 'cc' blocks of 1917. Cyrus/PrayingMantis and Chris/chrisftk collections.
Kronengrund/ Kronenol- The stain and sealant company Jaeger, which is still in existence today, created the final observed stock treatment. Kronengrund and Kronenol was a two stage stock treatment protocol. Unlike train oil, which was inferior to linseed oil varnish, the Kronengrund/Kroneneol procedure was a legitimate alternative to linseed oil. Use of this procedure was not directed until February of 1918. To outline the process, Kronengrund was a applied and allowed to dry for 15 minutes. Following the drying period, Kronenol was applied. Kronegrund alone, provided excellent protection, the Kronenol treatment enhanced the water repelling capability of the finish. [1] In this case, forensic observations differ significantly from the original documentation; not unlike the use of beech stocks prior to 1916. While Jaeger’s procedure wasn’t authorized until early 1918; this finish appeared toward the end of 1917. Kronengrund/Kronenol is easily identified from its brushed on enamel like appearance. It has the appearance of a modern varnish and is far more shiny than linseed oil. It also presents a built up appearance on the surface of the wood.
Kronengrund/Kroneno finishes on a late 1917 WMO, and probably the finest 1918 DWM in existence. Sam/mauser1908 and Chris/chrisftk Collections.
Period Sanding- Disclaimer: Controversial topic. This is in no way an attempt to legitimize sanded stocks. With that said, period sanding did occur on a case by case basis. The typical model for period sanding was in conjunction with a stock repair done through a procedure of uniformly sanding all or most of the stock.
Period sanding due to a stock repair on a 1916 DWM. This repair was completed at Köln. Sam/mauser1908 Collection.
[1] Storz, Dieter . 2006. Rifle & Carbine 98. Verlag Militaria pages 94-96.
[2] mauser1908 Gl.V. Trends, 2017-2022
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