Absolut
Senior Member
Seems I did the impossible by finding a Mauser Gew98 Sniper rifle which still has the bases installed and was not Turkish overhauled ... but this is also a bit where the head scraches come up - it isn't one of the n-block sniper rifles either!
I got it full in dirt, very certain it was last time cleaned in 1918. And it originally turned up in Australia. All major parts (barrel bands, magazine guard with screw, stock, ...) are matching, follower, safety and bolt shroud aren't (also cleaning rod and muzzle cover are mismatch, but yet have to check all parts in very detail). Very important, the rear base is matching numbers to the rifle on bottom at rear. Bolt is bent and has flattened bolt head on inside, no stock cutout for handle. When I get to clean it I'll post pictures of it in full. Only very roughly cleaned the bases to take these pictures to hopefully be able to get much information soon.
Especially my hopes rely on @Loewe to be able to tell me which year this rifle dates to. I have in my collection a Gerard scope with extremely similar (huge) bases where also the rear base only has a four digit serial. That scope also almost fits my rifles bases, only the rear ring would need to be moved back one milimeter (but I think it is not only clamped but also soldered). Will take pictures of that one too when I get to it.
Attached are the few pictures that I had already taken. They make it obvious that it is a Mauser Oberndorf made Gew98, plus the fitting of the bases also makes it obvious this is an original WWI German sniper rifle.
I got it full in dirt, very certain it was last time cleaned in 1918. And it originally turned up in Australia. All major parts (barrel bands, magazine guard with screw, stock, ...) are matching, follower, safety and bolt shroud aren't (also cleaning rod and muzzle cover are mismatch, but yet have to check all parts in very detail). Very important, the rear base is matching numbers to the rifle on bottom at rear. Bolt is bent and has flattened bolt head on inside, no stock cutout for handle. When I get to clean it I'll post pictures of it in full. Only very roughly cleaned the bases to take these pictures to hopefully be able to get much information soon.
Especially my hopes rely on @Loewe to be able to tell me which year this rifle dates to. I have in my collection a Gerard scope with extremely similar (huge) bases where also the rear base only has a four digit serial. That scope also almost fits my rifles bases, only the rear ring would need to be moved back one milimeter (but I think it is not only clamped but also soldered). Will take pictures of that one too when I get to it.
Attached are the few pictures that I had already taken. They make it obvious that it is a Mauser Oberndorf made Gew98, plus the fitting of the bases also makes it obvious this is an original WWI German sniper rifle.
