Yesterday's Weapons Forums

Back in the 1960s I decided that I needed an example of a WWI Gew98 Mauser to fill a hole in my collection. At the time, mail order Gew98s in Good to VG condition (without regard for matching numbers) were selling for less that WWII Kar98s so I ordered one by mail.

Considering the purchase price, I was pleased with the rifle I received: It was a 1917 Amberg. Most of the numbered parts on the bolt assembly matched; the s/ns on the receiver and barrel matched (but didn't match the number on the bolt) and the s/ns on the trigger guard/magazine assembly didn't match either the bolt or receiver/barrel. The bore was a bit worn and dark but the exterior metal was rust free and had 95% + of its dark blue finish both above and below the wood (which was in great shape with very minor scratches and dings). Overall, the exterior of the rifle appeared to have undergone an arsenal rehab at some point in its history.

Not being familiar with Gew98s at the time, it was a while before I noticed that the rear sight on my rifle didn't match those I would see on WWI dated Gew98s in gun shops and at gun shows. With a little research I was satisfied that I had what is known as a Weimar rifle that resulted from the German Weimar Republic's modification of WWI Gew98s in the early 1920s. Then recently I ran across a thread on another forum discussing the Gew98M rifles used by the Wehrmacht and SS prior to and during WWII.

It seems that in 1934 the newly established Nazi Government began sending tens of thousands of Gew98s to Mauser and other factories to be fitted with new rear sights made by Mauser marked S/42 and K for 1934 or G for 1935 (The rear sight on my rifle is marked S/42G). These new rear sights were required for use of the now standard "S" heavy ball ammo and were identical in use to the sights on the soon to be distributed Kar98k rifle. The modified rifles have been designated the Gew98M.

The Gew98Ms were the main battle rifle of the Wehrmacht from 1934 till 1935 when the production of the Kar98k reached an acceptable level for distribution. By 1939, the SS was the major fighting force equipped with Gew98M as "hand-me-down" weapons since they were a political organization and not considered part of the Wehrmacht. The SS continued using Gew98Ms right up to 1945 even though that by 1943 they had access to all Wehrmacht stores and equipment. Gew98Ms were used and left in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and apparently provided a source for imports to the U.S. and Australia during the 1960s.

Here are photos of my Gew98M:







Markings on right side of rear site base:


Top of rear sight leaf:


Underside of rear sight leaf and top of rear sight base:


Top of receiver and bolt:


Trigger guard and magazine face plate:


Receiver ring, barrel and rear sight base markings:


Butt plate:


Forend, bayonet lug, front sight and cleaning rod:


I am curious to know if any of you have a Gew98M in your collection and if anyone has any idea of their desirability for collectors or value? I haven't seen any advertised or at gun shows and the speculation is that most of those that were imported over 40 years ago were sporterized.

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AlleyOop

NRA Life Member since 1969

Very Nice

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It's 5 o'clock and it's watermelon time.....................
because you can't drink beer & load rockets - TXPete

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JOHNNY WACKO

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http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Seller ... ser=956475




http://stores.ebay.com/workenladyo8?_rdc=1

....absolutely beautiful condition... ....and great photography too...
....alas I have no clue of their value,though I'm sure that with that history and condition it'd fetch far more than an RC K98 (and of which is all that I have )...I'd be overjoyed to own on of those...its a beaut!!!

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....Naj puška govori!....
.............deplorable typical "bitter clinger"....

That is a nice looking Amberg. I am sure glad the 17 Amberg I bought in the mid 70s for $35 was very ratty looking because if it had looked that good I would feel bad as today it is a 6mm rem.

Rad

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NRA Benefactor Member
AMA Life Member
Tri-State Gun Collectors Life Member

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AlleyOop

NRA Life Member since 1969

+1 very nice indeed