Third Party Press

Spandau 1915 Gewehr 98 The Phoenix from the ashes

That makes at least two people you’ve started in imperial collecting. Definitely some amazing work by Bill. Maybe I could learn a thing or two from him.
 
I hope you guys know. I was more than happy to help the both of you. And Connor you seem to surprise me every week. You always seem to keep learning something new. Good for you my friend. Keep building that knowledge! And Brian, I'm actually very happy you got this rifle. With Bill being your mentor in the hobby. Honestly, this makes it that much more special. Being he put his time and love, to bring it back. To most collectors it would just be another World War I gewehr that was brought back. But for you this is the gewehr that your friend Bill brought back. That is something far more cherishable.
 
Warrior1354 said:
The crown was in very good shape, and the bore was dirty. Luckily lots of rifling left, and I'm sure this gewehr will shoot wonderfully. Hopefully we'll get to test it out very soon.
Click to expand...
The bore was absolutely perfect.... no fine pitting even. Just had cobwebs in it.
 
mauser1908 said:
That's an excellent first gewehr. It always amazes me how well stuff cleans up.
Click to expand...
Cleaning up any gew98 , 98k etc etc is a time consuming enterprise . As well it's tedious in an enjoyable way. All my methods involve complete hands on and above all attention to detail. Removing disc's is a slow meticulous process so as not to damage wood or disc. One has to keep in mind wood that has swelled and been peened over to often lock in such a part.
The amount of dirt & verdigris out of sight in the rifle was more than I expected to see. The front guard screw was stuck fast. I use a good soldering Iron I made a copper flat screw driver tip for and set it up in such screws and let it get hot. I do this 3 - 5 times and drizzle on al little kroil between each heating. Time consuming , yes. But this gives any oxidation in screw threads a chance at being crushed and minimized by the repeated heating's expansions and cool down contractions with a drizzle of kroil hoping to work its way in there. Impatient sods will get out the impact driver and or a leveraged screwdriver and things will go south under the bubba unibrow method.
 
gew98 said:
Cleaning up any gew98 , 98k etc etc is a time consuming enterprise . As well it's tedious in an enjoyable way. All my methods involve complete hands on and above all attention to detail. Removing disc's is a slow meticulous process so as not to damage wood or disc. One has to keep in mind wood that has swelled and been peened over to often lock in such a part.
The amount of dirt & verdigris out of sight in the rifle was more than I expected to see. The front guard screw was stuck fast. I use a good soldering Iron I made a copper flat screw driver tip for and set it up in such screws and let it get hot. I do this 3 - 5 times and drizzle on al little kroil between each heating. Time consuming , yes. But this gives any oxidation in screw threads a chance at being crushed and minimized by the repeated heating's expansions and cool down contractions with a drizzle of kroil hoping to work its way in there. Impatient sods will get out the impact driver and or a leveraged screwdriver and things will go south under the bubba unibrow method.
Click to expand...
You did excellent work on this one, Bill! Work I’d venture few are capable of.
 
I must apologize. I met "Bill" a bit over 20 years ago when he saved me on a humped Gew 98 and took me as a friend. My hearing has never been great, I've procrastinated on a few procedurs. I thought he introduced himselfs as Bill but its actually Will. The new "nickname" stuck with me, Will can be a patient man, and again my bad on the hearing impaired confusion.
His patience and willingness to help have been a primary reasons I've stuck with this hobby, and I'll do my best to help others wanting to get into it.
 
Last edited:
The pictures posted in this thread does not do the rifle justice. Seeing it in person was far better. Bill, you really out did yourself my friend! Glad Brian was very happy with it. Plus, enjoyed shooting this Gewehr too!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Military Rifle Journal
Back
Top