Bought this 13 years ago

So I bought this right after my first daughter was born it's a 1915 v. chr. schilling gew 98 just been kind of sitting on it for the last 13 years finally I guess got up enough interest or boredom or whatever you want to call it to join the Forum and see what I can find out about it does anybody know anything about how rare this gun is or what it might be worth or what it might be chambered in any information on it whatsoever I know minimal about it other than it's old as hell and yeah

Well, it is a rather scarce maker-date... the shortened barrel really hits hard though, no fixing that except finding a loose ordnance spare and then those are damn difficult too as most are reserialed, unless Turk spare and in 30 years I have seen only one loose. Could buy a scrapped barrel and rotate "unpleasant" marks under the wood but there is really no "collector" solution.

If you can try and take pictures of the right receiver acceptance and if the inclination strikes, the barrel code (probably under the stock); this would help researchers and potentially tell more about the originality.

*** the stock serial would also help with the potential question or determination of a worthy project. It is just rare enough to be restored, but the stock would have to be the factory stock (for most collectors to restore, if your Pa owned it that could play on the decision too)

To Loewe's point, this one is a real shame, though could be fixed with a re-barrel and a new front band. (assuming you were motivated)-- this is one of the tougher maker/dates to find and would be worth the trouble, particularly if the bolt matched.

Here are a couple other 15 VCS posted here:

Man, bubba always picks the nice ones.

@goldchevyguy it's probably still in 8mm Mauser. Being a 1915 Schilling it's rare enough, especially if the bolt matches, that a new barrel, band, and bayonet lug would be worth the effort. Would never be worth as much an an untouched one, but would look correct and be a great place holder. The other option would be to finish the sporterization, but i think that would be a shame with a restorable Gew. And from a value perspective, sportered Gews aren't worth much at all.

PrayingMantis said:

@goldchevyguy it's probably still in 8mm Mauser. Being a 1915 Schilling it's rare enough, especially if the bolt matches, that a new barrel, band, and bayonet lug would be worth the effort. Would never be worth as much an an untouched one, but would look correct and be a great place holder. The other option would be to finish the sporterization, but i think that would be a shame with a restorable Gew. And from a value perspective, sportered Gews aren't worth much at all.

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I'd argue that it's worth more as a pile of parts than it ever would be as a sportered gun.

If all someone wants is a sportered Gew98 you can get those all day on GB for cheap. Even less if you live in an area with hunters and have pawn shops nearby.