New toy

[ukrifleman]

Just acquired this 1916 vintage DWM Gew98, It's all matching numbers right down to the fore-sight blade and clearing rod.

The stock is in original untouched condition, the bore is good and slugs at .312/.325 and throat and crown show very little signs of erosion.

It has an original leather sling which is faintly stamped, with what looks like `Baur 1917 and `Muchen 1918

The icing on the cake is that it comes with a trench mag!

ukrifleman

[daman]

Das ist ein sehr schönes Gewehr.

[Tommygunn]

Lovely old lady!

I'm guessing the mag is a repro..?

[Les]

I always wonder what stories the old military rifles/muskets etc could tell. Were they ever issued? Where were they used, etc etc. I guess we will never know, but you have found a superb old rifle there. You must be well chuffed with it!

[ovenpaa]

What a cracking looking rifle, I am very envious

[ukrifleman]

Thanks for all the kind words, it certainly is a nice example.

I am fairly certain the trench mag is a repro, but it is very well made. I believe they were available from Numrich.

Here are some more pics.

ukrifleman.

[GeeRam]

Wow.....that's lovely, and must now be very rare in that condition with matching numbers etc.

[ukrifleman]

Das ist ein sehr schönes Gewehr.

Danke!

[ukrifleman]

One thing that puzzles me is that the Birmingham proof circa 1988 if I read the codes correctly, shows the proof pressure as 18 tons, which correct me if I am wrong is lower than a No.4 Enfield!

ukrifleman.

[bnz41]

Wow.....that's lovely, and must now be very rare in that condition with matching numbers etc.

No not rare I used to own a 1907 & 1915 Gew98 all matching numbers they are about just need to look.


Yes lovely rifle you have ukrifleman, yes 18ton proof is correct for this type of rifle, mine was the same on the 1915 (UK proofed in 2011). Enfields are 19tons. Are there any stamps on the stock disc, try turning the disc over, my 1907 rifle was issued to two different regiments during the first world war stamped on both sides of the disc.

Can you see a S stamped on the barrel near the receiver? This is then suitable for Spritzer 7.92x57 bullets, ie modern ammo.

The trench mag does look to be repro as is the sling from the pictures you have posted.
My Gew did not like steel cased ammo so I used PPU 196gr FMJ, happy shooting.