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Mauser 98

FLHMAN73
I have seen quite a few rifles on gunbroker for sale that are Mauser 98 actions and are reasonably priced. Are they reasonably good actions or what's the scoop on them?
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5 comments

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  • FLHMAN73
    Since Numrich is not selling recievers any more, does anyone know a good place to get stripped Mauser 98 recievers? I don't want YUGO's.

    Garyd
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  • 1KYDSTR
    That's Gew 98. You have a 1915 produced Mauser factory WWI battle rifle. The lion with wings is actually an Imperial Eagle proof. The marks on the stock...likewise. The three stamps on the reciever ring are the Inspectors marks signifying military acceptance. Sounds like a nice example of a WWI issue gun...can't wait for pics! WWIanniversary is coming up, these are building even more in value.
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  • FLHMAN73
    Here are a few pic's
    GEW_98_001.JPGGEW_98_003.JPGGEW_98_006.JPGGEW_98_008.JPGGEW_98_009.JPGGEW_98_010.JPGGEW_98_011.JPGGEW_98_012.JPG
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  • 1KYDSTR
    EditAs I thought, you have a GEW (not DEW) 98 battle rifle there, produced by Mauserwerk at Oberndorf in 1915...should have a big rollercoaster rear sight (called Lange sight). Looks like the finish is largely gone, although the reciever was in the white and I can't see the barrel where it joins the front of the reciever and that's where the blueing starts (edges on the wood look pretty sharp though), but more pictures are required to tell what overall condition it is in. Looks like all the blue is off the gun; you'll want to clean and check the barrel to see how the rifling has survived as this often is an indication of heavy combat use.

    I just saw the last two pics. Still not much to go on, but it looks as though it is unmollested which REALLY helps. Try to resist the temptation to clean it up....that will detract heavily from the value. You see lots of these that have a mottled, dull gray look to the metal. This is almost always a sign that someone has gotten to the metal with naval jelly or something else in an endeavor to get the rust off the gun. That "rust" is just that, rust, but it is also viewed as patination, and as such, is a direct reflection of the guns age and use in WWI.

    Edit 2 Sorry...just saw the other pics. Need a little better quality to help much more, but observe the following. The blueing on the barrel looks as though it may have a little rust bubbling under the blue....not good, but not much to be done about it. The wood looks sharp from what I can see and this is a plus as most people will try to sand it "pretty". Are the stock crown cartouches as sharp as the reciever ring markings? If so, it is likely unsanded. Having said that, the reciever marlings are a little rounded, as though from handling, not sanding, and I would say that indicates use, not bad "cleaning". All parts match. did you say? Are there any number/letter markings on it that don't match the serialization of the gun? That could be unit markings. What is the barrel length? Should be about "29 1/2...any other length indicates a "carbine" or "short rifle", even though it is marked GEW 98 on the reciever rail; some shorter guns were cut down to a different standard at an arsenal as configurations changed throughout the conflict. Most of those were rail stamped Kar 98, but variations are numerous. About all I have for now until I get better lit pictures.

    Edit 3 The last 2 numbers of the serial number are commonly found on screws and smaller parts, and if nothing else is a testament to just how anal the Germans were at that time in history...they were in the middle of a war for Gods Sake, and they STILL took the time to number every little part! They have a reputation for being accurate at range...that Lange rear sight is well graduated for distance work. The Germans, and most everyone else for that matter assumed that firefights were normally at 800 meters...this was partially true in that the trenches were normally a ways apart, but close up encounters became more common with the advent of Trench Raiders, etc. Guns got smaller as the war went on, to be sure, and most of the involved beligerents eliminated Long Range Volley sights fairly quickly too.

    Absent better pictures (sorry, I know you are trying!) I would venture you have a nice old Gew 98 bring back gun (as there is no import info on it that you have reported) that is in about average condition. Average condition, BUT all matching and unbuggered...again, thats super important. Some people prefer Oberndorf guns over all other makers/royal arsenals, but the Oberndorf guns are not the least common, thus more exist in good condition. A 1918 Danzig would command a premium, for example...they did not make too many guns in 1918 (and all Kar 98's I think)as the war was almost over and Danzig was not too close to the capitol. The right person might pay $1000 for your 1915...I will consult the right books and figure out production figures for 1915...keep working on those pics!
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  • FLHMAN73
    Thanks for your in put.
    Yes I think this gun is pretty much un touched and no dont worry I wont clean it I know that it can effect the value..a lot !
    I have cleaned the barrle and actualy shot this gun a few times. It is a nice shooter and accurate as hell even at distance.
    I will try to get some better pics.
    Another funny thing I will try and get a pic of is at the top of fwd stock there are two notches that have been cut in it with a knife very neatly done and at a time the gun was being used because they are smooth edged with wear from a hand and the same color as the rest of the stock.My guess is they meant something to somebody that once used this.
    As for numbers,well as far as I have seen all parts are numbered and some only containe the last 2 didgets of the serial # and the screws seem to have a crown stamped and a couple do have the last 2 serial didgits to.
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