Waffenfabrik Danzig Sporting Rifle with Matching Scope
- Thread starter the Dane
- Start date
WaPrüf2
RIP
First of all, it is Gewehrfabrik Danzig, not Waffenfabrik Danzig. They were originally in 7,9x57 and had steel buttplates; it looks like somebody has extended the butt on yours. They are relatively common but are usually buggered up with coward pads or some such; they are very light, have a narrow butt, and with standard German milspec 7,9x57 ball they kick like a mule.
There is at least one photo of Volkssturm in position in Ostpreussen where one of these is in evidence. One also appears in the hands of a French sniper in the last scene of the original All Quiet on the Western Front.
There are a couple of them on Gunbroker which have been there some time.
There is at least one photo of Volkssturm in position in Ostpreussen where one of these is in evidence. One also appears in the hands of a French sniper in the last scene of the original All Quiet on the Western Front.
There are a couple of them on Gunbroker which have been there some time.
Danzig made two types of commercial rifles after the war, a .22 version and a 7.92mm version using a 98a receiver, this one is the latter and is the earliest I have recorded (about two dozen altogether 801 - 8083, - the .22 versions all are serialed under 1000 and far fewer known, though it might just be due the fact i do not follow these closely).
These 98a versions have Danzig's military proof (Prussian eagle) on the receiver and bottom of the barrel above the barrel serial number. I think they are all 7.92mm but I am not sure, they may have made a few in other calibers, but these 98a based variations seem to have been made first, using leftover military parts, - they are all usually marked "Germany" on the buttstock, implying they were for export and possibly when Danzig was still "Germany" (meaning very early after the war, before Versailles), the .22 versions have the Danzig city seal on the receivers and no military components (at least some have the "Germany" on the stock too), probably after Versailles, - for a short period, a couple years after Versailles, Danzig did make rifles and rifle barrels and did military related work for Poland. We know this due to it making big news at the time, two contracts, one to Mexico and another to Peru (that was having a boarder dispute and thoughts that Danzig, a League mandate, was involved is supplying arms caused a great controversy at the time, - this was what eventually led to Danzig’s machinery being sent to Poland, not Versailles itself - Poland at the time was hostile neighbor to have and was well on the road to having no friends in eastern and central Europe) caused Danzig to lose the ability to make military related items because it was a League mandate and under its protection.
Anyway, these come in many slightly different variations, most seem to have scopes, but not all, the stocks have different work done to them, are higher quality than the .22 versions and most have the "Germany" marking on the stock, implying they were for export. I think the 98a versions were probably mostly made in 1919, the .22 during 1919-1920, I doubt after July 1921 as the League made their ruling to officially close Danzig and dismantle Danzig's arms making machinery (machinery only useful to make arms - all else to remain to make bicycles, though this seems to not have occurred...) Anyway, Danzig lost its rifle making machinery by late 1923
For those that have the Summer 2012 MRJ-207, I cover this period in some detail in my article.
These 98a versions have Danzig's military proof (Prussian eagle) on the receiver and bottom of the barrel above the barrel serial number. I think they are all 7.92mm but I am not sure, they may have made a few in other calibers, but these 98a based variations seem to have been made first, using leftover military parts, - they are all usually marked "Germany" on the buttstock, implying they were for export and possibly when Danzig was still "Germany" (meaning very early after the war, before Versailles), the .22 versions have the Danzig city seal on the receivers and no military components (at least some have the "Germany" on the stock too), probably after Versailles, - for a short period, a couple years after Versailles, Danzig did make rifles and rifle barrels and did military related work for Poland. We know this due to it making big news at the time, two contracts, one to Mexico and another to Peru (that was having a boarder dispute and thoughts that Danzig, a League mandate, was involved is supplying arms caused a great controversy at the time, - this was what eventually led to Danzig’s machinery being sent to Poland, not Versailles itself - Poland at the time was hostile neighbor to have and was well on the road to having no friends in eastern and central Europe) caused Danzig to lose the ability to make military related items because it was a League mandate and under its protection.
Anyway, these come in many slightly different variations, most seem to have scopes, but not all, the stocks have different work done to them, are higher quality than the .22 versions and most have the "Germany" marking on the stock, implying they were for export. I think the 98a versions were probably mostly made in 1919, the .22 during 1919-1920, I doubt after July 1921 as the League made their ruling to officially close Danzig and dismantle Danzig's arms making machinery (machinery only useful to make arms - all else to remain to make bicycles, though this seems to not have occurred...) Anyway, Danzig lost its rifle making machinery by late 1923
For those that have the Summer 2012 MRJ-207, I cover this period in some detail in my article.
Absolut
Senior Member
Scope mount looks like the Reichswehr type.
€dit: to find out more, would you show closeup pictures of the scope? Are there any markings on the scope, such as engravings etc.?
A very similar rifle to yours can be found here: http://www.cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?ItemId=59519
€dit: to find out more, would you show closeup pictures of the scope? Are there any markings on the scope, such as engravings etc.?
A very similar rifle to yours can be found here: http://www.cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?ItemId=59519
Hello,
I will also add that i collect info on these rifles and have 19 observations. like already mentioned most are scoped but not all and so far all scoped rifles are equiped with Dr Gerard scopes I think i have 1 with a oigee i will check and report back. of the rifles scoped about 56% are model K which are hard scopes to find but allot show up on these rifles and 38% have the Gerard model C. All mounting systems are this pre-Reichwehrtype mount. they differ a bit from the Gew98b Sniper mounts, so far on the front ring how it locks into the front base has a step were these are flat and bevel up from what i have observed. my serial range is serials 90-8898. please post pics of your Gerard scopes serial so far the scope serial ranges have been the 44,000-46,000.
later
vaughn
I will also add that i collect info on these rifles and have 19 observations. like already mentioned most are scoped but not all and so far all scoped rifles are equiped with Dr Gerard scopes I think i have 1 with a oigee i will check and report back. of the rifles scoped about 56% are model K which are hard scopes to find but allot show up on these rifles and 38% have the Gerard model C. All mounting systems are this pre-Reichwehrtype mount. they differ a bit from the Gew98b Sniper mounts, so far on the front ring how it locks into the front base has a step were these are flat and bevel up from what i have observed. my serial range is serials 90-8898. please post pics of your Gerard scopes serial so far the scope serial ranges have been the 44,000-46,000.
later
vaughn
More pictures
Thanks for all input, nice to hear what you all know about this type of rifle.
Of course it's gewehrfabrik Danzig and not waffenfabrik, think I need glasses.
I do have a few more pictures right now, they are all from the auction site. I will get the rifle in approx 1½ month as I am not home before that time, then I will take more pictures.
I agree, the butt must have been extended, some time after the rifle left the production.
I'm sorry, but I do not have any pictures of the scope serial number right now, as soon as I get the rifle I will sure post them.
Someone have told me, that the SS used these rifle as well. Are the somebody, who can confirm or refute this?
For me it dosen't matter, I am just curious.
Thanks for all input, nice to hear what you all know about this type of rifle.
Of course it's gewehrfabrik Danzig and not waffenfabrik, think I need glasses.
I do have a few more pictures right now, they are all from the auction site. I will get the rifle in approx 1½ month as I am not home before that time, then I will take more pictures.
I agree, the butt must have been extended, some time after the rifle left the production.
I'm sorry, but I do not have any pictures of the scope serial number right now, as soon as I get the rifle I will sure post them.
Someone have told me, that the SS used these rifle as well. Are the somebody, who can confirm or refute this?
For me it dosen't matter, I am just curious.
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pitfighter
Senior Member
That is a nice rifle - I have one that is somewhat similar.
Mine is not maker marked however.
The set triggers are very finely finished inside, but also not maker marked.
Are your set triggers maker marked inside?
The stock serial inside matches the barrel and receiver -
I think mine is a cigarette rifle, but it is nice to have the original sights/mounts and fittings.
The scope is a Sirius.
*This was photographed when it arrived - the metal spotting all wiped off with an oily cloth.
Mine is not maker marked however.
The set triggers are very finely finished inside, but also not maker marked.
Are your set triggers maker marked inside?
The stock serial inside matches the barrel and receiver -
I think mine is a cigarette rifle, but it is nice to have the original sights/mounts and fittings.
The scope is a Sirius.
*This was photographed when it arrived - the metal spotting all wiped off with an oily cloth.
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Kramerstein
Registered
Gerald K SN info
I have Serial #46224
Gerald Scope. Type K
On rifle per this thread w/SN 63xx
Best regards
I have Serial #46224
Gerald Scope. Type K
On rifle per this thread w/SN 63xx
Best regards
Here are Pics of both Rings and Mounts . Notice the subtle difference between the 2 . The difference is Front Rings and Bases of both . The Top and Bottom Pics are of Type
Rings and Bases on the Gewehrfabrik Danzig Rifle and the other Pics are Reichswehre
Mounts . For those that are interested this Mounting System on the Gewehrfabrik Danzig Rifle has also been see on WWI Sniper Rifle . Best Regards
Rings and Bases on the Gewehrfabrik Danzig Rifle and the other Pics are Reichswehre
Mounts . For those that are interested this Mounting System on the Gewehrfabrik Danzig Rifle has also been see on WWI Sniper Rifle . Best Regards
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![20[1].05.2005_016.jpg](/data/attachments/10/10658-05d5e932f2fa55d9ab0fb6fbeefe9f73.jpg)
![20[1].05.2005_013.jpg](/data/attachments/70/70349-f29c7b036d64df7afaaf5b2d5912e495.jpg)
![20[1].05.2005_014.jpg](/data/attachments/70/70350-83bd56d9b7838eebc2392ccfba9ed89a.jpg)
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Link with information about this model
Hi, I´m new on this forum but have some info about these topic.
I do also have one of these, but without the original scope, it has a Leupold now, and the font base is fixed. and not very well fix, welded with bronze.
I found this info:
"very scarce German Danzig factory Mauser M.1898 sporting rifle in 7.92 x 57 mm caliber. Manufactured by Gewehrfabrik Danzig shortly after the end of the Great War, as indicated by markings on the receiver rail and by the proof markings on the receiver ring. Sporting rifles of this pattern were manufactured in very limited numbers by the Danzig factory in 1918/1919. The lack of the military orders forced the Danzig factory to manufacture guns for the civilian market. Shortly after, the Danzig arsenal ceased to exist. Based on the Versailles Treaty all the machines were moved to Warsaw, Poland in 1920, in order to create the rifle factory there. The Danzig sporters utilized strong Kar.98AZ action with small ring receivers. Since Danzig sporters were arsenal made, they bear no commercial proofs, but Imperial German stamp, "Prussian Eagle" (stamped on the left side of the receiver ring, on the barrel under the wood, as well as on the bolt). "
The link is :
http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesMauser.html
Hope this help.
Hi, I´m new on this forum but have some info about these topic.
I do also have one of these, but without the original scope, it has a Leupold now, and the font base is fixed. and not very well fix, welded with bronze.
I found this info:
"very scarce German Danzig factory Mauser M.1898 sporting rifle in 7.92 x 57 mm caliber. Manufactured by Gewehrfabrik Danzig shortly after the end of the Great War, as indicated by markings on the receiver rail and by the proof markings on the receiver ring. Sporting rifles of this pattern were manufactured in very limited numbers by the Danzig factory in 1918/1919. The lack of the military orders forced the Danzig factory to manufacture guns for the civilian market. Shortly after, the Danzig arsenal ceased to exist. Based on the Versailles Treaty all the machines were moved to Warsaw, Poland in 1920, in order to create the rifle factory there. The Danzig sporters utilized strong Kar.98AZ action with small ring receivers. Since Danzig sporters were arsenal made, they bear no commercial proofs, but Imperial German stamp, "Prussian Eagle" (stamped on the left side of the receiver ring, on the barrel under the wood, as well as on the bolt). "
The link is :
http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesMauser.html
Hope this help.
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