Danzig 1917/1920 Gew98m

[Bocian]

Hey everyone,

I've been searching for a decent at least shooter grade Gew98 now for awhile whether shooter or more on the collector side. I recently picked up this Gew98m from an older gentleman who told me he never fired it. It appears to be serial matching. Only down side i can tell is there is a hole in the stock which he told me was from "shrapnel" but who knows if that's true or not, i think sanded stock and cleaning rod is missing. I attached the pictures below. I got it for $1100. Let me know what you guys think!

 

[Bocian]

More pics:

 

[Bocian]

I tried to get a Bore picture but it was a bit hard but i only saw a little bit of pitting, no visible obstruction/oxidization and the bore was pretty bright i would say.

 

[Loewe]

You do not show the bolt or barrel code, so one must rely on guesses more than usual (even more details would be guesswork based upon observations...)

My opinion is the bands, stock and probably bolt are not period work, it hasn't been recorded before but the manner of work and lack of stock upgrades suggest suspicion, especially with a property marked rifle (which means it was constantly in central government hands...)

****Depot work in the Republican era is usually acceptanced - the small of stock, one side or the other of the buttstock. almost always with some upgrades....

 

[Loewe]

None of this is meant to discourage you, just opinion...

 

[Bocian]

You do not show the bolt or barrel code, so one must rely on guesses more than usual (even more details would be guesswork based upon observations...)

My opinion is the bands, stock and probably bolt are not period work, it hasn't been recorded before but the manner of work and lack of stock upgrades suggest suspicion, especially with a property marked rifle (which means it was constantly in central government hands...)

****Depot work in the Republican era is usually acceptanced - the small of stock, one side or the other of the buttstock. almost always with some upgrades....

I forgot to take the picture but the bolt is numbered the same. I did not have a chance yet to take it apart to check the barrel code.

 

[Bocian]

You do not show the bolt or barrel code, so one must rely on guesses more than usual (even more details would be guesswork based upon observations...)

My opinion is the bands, stock and probably bolt are not period work, it hasn't been recorded before but the manner of work and lack of stock upgrades suggest suspicion, especially with a property marked rifle (which means it was constantly in central government hands...)

****Depot work in the Republican era is usually acceptanced - the small of stock, one side or the other of the buttstock. almost always with some upgrades....

I attached some more of the bolt pictures. Do you think the band and stock was replaced after the wars? I'm still learning so i wouldn't know how to spot something like that. Honestly I'm not too worried about it since i was just looking for more of a shooter. I was mostly shopping bore condition. It was a bit hard not finding something too overpriced. Some store near me is selling mismatched gew98m's from $1200-$1700.

 

[Dane76]

Very nice rifle! I’ve never seen the XXX’s on the stock like that before.
I hope she shoots well, enjoy and thank you for showing.

 

[Loewe]

I forgot to take the picture but the bolt is numbered the same. I did not have a chance yet to take it apart to check the barrel code.

I attached some more of the bolt pictures. Do you think the band and stock was replaced after the wars? I'm still learning so i wouldn't know how to spot something like that. Honestly I'm not too worried about it since i was just looking for more of a shooter. I was mostly shopping bore condition. It was a bit hard not finding something too overpriced. Some store near me is selling mismatched gew98m's from $1200-$1700.

Just opinion, but I think the stock and bolt are more recent vintage; though this is based upon the inconsistency to current trends and the fact the "1920" coupled with a Republican era re-barrel (which looks mid-1920'ish or early 30's - prior to Hitler) means it was in government hands throughout, yet didn't receive an modern stock upgrade seems very queer and suspicious, - maybe the RM was capable of such deviation (absurdity really) but the Reichsheer is doubtful at best. The Imperial era unit not being flipped, needless to say upgraded adds to the suspicion.

** the rear sight, what is shown, displaying e/46 and 44 is legit and dates to 1926-27 or latter, which it is baffling to explain how a mid-20 to late 20's, at the earliest escaped stock upgrades...

Just thinking out loud, not trying to discourage a potential new "Republican" era collector (precious few out side of P.08, 98b or Simsonists!)