1917 Mauser gewehr 98

[legs748]

I saw this a few weeks ago and after a lot of ummms and aahhhs and contemplation of financial recklessness I had my hand forced when my girlfriend bought it and marched me down to collect it! I'm a very very lucky boy! It's a 1917 spandau all apparently matching and with what appears to be an original sling due to all of the cracking on it, also included was an unnumbered butcher bayonet from Mauser waffenfabrik dated the same year. Beautiful! Any advice (saddler?) to conserve the strap would be welcome because it's too brittle to use in its current state.

[froggy]

Beautiful ! Any advice ?

Dunno, I have not had the pleasure of seen her but my advice would be to definitely marry her

Oh ... and the rifle is beautiful as well. Simply put, no man should be going through life without owning a G or K 98. If the sling is "too brittle to use in its current state", don't risk it, take if of and keep it as "the rifle's sling". Originals are both rare & expensive and it would be too sad to damage it which you eventually will. Do get yourself a good & functional correct reproduction sling from that Ratty fellow. It will do the job and look sympathetic to your G98 without the worry of destroying a 100 years old piece of history.

[ovenpaa]

I am with Froggy on this on all counts, marry the g/f, keep the sling safe and enjoy the rifle which looks absolutely stunning.

[saddler]

To renovate the sling, look at investing about £6 or so in a tin of Ko-Cho-Line leather dressing.

IF you use ANYTHING else it may destroy the sling...at least this way you can rescue the original & stop it degrading further.
I'm trying to source the correct fittings to be able to make G98 slings. The one that's proving the most difficult is the front buckle/slider; as it has that offset tear drop shaped stud on the underside. As soon as I find an original my 1915 DWM G98 will be having a new sling.
Other (Chinese made) G98 slings do pop up online for not much over £20. Saw them at the show in Finland this year for £15. Leather on them is poor, but I look at them as a cheap(ish) way to get some of the metalwork (front buckle they use is wrong)

And as SimG would say,we need pics of the g/f or it never happened

[legs748]

Action this day! Popped down the local saddlery and got a pot of the above elixir. I've taken a few detailed pics of the sling, it's pretty cracked and has been repaired where it passes through the forend, am I putting the stuff front and back or just on the tanned side?

I could add a pic of my girly but she's too good a shot with her twenty bore guerini to risk her wrath!

[saddler]

Apply to both sides and keep the sling flat in a warm place...away from direct heat

DO the same again every couple of days

Just apply the dressing with your fingers

[froggy]

Re-

It is your rifle, it is your sling but given the photos of your sling, I would personally not risk it . You have no up-side, only the risk of ruining/destroying a collector's item that I doubt you would be able to replace for less than £ 100/150 ... If Ratty can't help, have a look at hessenantik.de . Their G98 are very good for less than 20 quids. I have fitted one on my Standard Modell. They are popular with re-enactors because the quality is good enough to withstand "field use" and with a bit of patina they look "authentic" enough.

[450 Martini]

That is a really nice G98, i will have to post a picture of my 1915 Amberg but it is visiting Europe tomorrow along with a 1902 Long Lee and a 1916 SMLE for a commemoration event in Antwerp. Just as a note i do have a European pass and a temporary licence from the Belgian police.

A friend of mine deals in Reproduction German militaria and he was able to furnish me with a new made G98 sling for around £20

http://www.richardaunderwood.com/g98-sling/

[MartinS]

Very nice indeed!
Was shooting mine yesterday at Bisley! Great fun to shoot! Enjoy it!

[legs748]

Very nice indeed!
Was shooting mine yesterday at Bisley! Great fun to shoot! Enjoy it!

I have only shot it once, and I have to say I was underwhelmed. Being sighted in to 400m on our 100m range at the club it was shooting wildly high, about 18" above point of aim. Also the Israeli milsurp I was using was not consistent enough to go anything near a group. I have picked up some S&B factory ammo to try, also I'm considering pulling the milsurp and reloading the components over some N-140. Being as the rifle is so original I'm loathe to put a higher foresight in (even if I can find one!) so I've been musing on making some sort of shoe to fit over the foresight to get me an extra mm or so but not found time to do any of the above yet but at 97 years old I'm sure the rifle is in no rush!