Mauser Gewehr 98, German Spandau Model 1898 Roller Coaster Sights & Matching Rifle 1914 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,281.00
LSB#: 180910RB01

Make: Spandau Arsenal, Germany

Model: Gewehr 98 (Gew 98)

Serial Number: 6092

Year of Manufacture: 1914

Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “crown / SPANDAU/ 1914”. The left side of the receiver is marked with a German “eagle”, the serial number, “a” and “Gew. 98”. The right side of the receiver is marked with three “crowned letters”. The top of the barrel shank is marked “S”. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with the serial number and “a”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked with a German “eagle”. The top of the bolt handle, top rear of the bolt body, bottom metal, rear of the buttplate and the underside of the buttstock are all marked with the serial number. Several of the metal parts are marked with “crowned letters” and/or the last 2 numbers of the serial number “92”. The marking disk is stamped “R.J.15.4.102S”. The right side of the butt is stamped with 3 “crowned letters”. The bottom of the grip & bottom of the butt are each marked with a “crowned letter”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 29 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted “V” post set atop a raised base. The rear “roller coaster” sight is a sliding “V” notched sight escalator that is marked for differing elevations on the top, left and right of the sight base. The top of the base is marked from “5-20” and the sides are both marked from “4 – 20”, in increments of 2.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece, oil stained hardwood stock has a pistol grip, metal nosecap with stacking hook, cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, through bolt, sling loop base under the butt, marking disk on the right side of the butt and metal buttplate. The buttplate shows cleaned pin prick surface erosion & light discoloration from oxidation. The nosecap & barrel band show scrapes & discoloration. The left side of the butt show deep marks that have removed surface wood. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Several are deep and have removed small portions of surface wood. Most of these marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 13 1/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good to Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original. The receiver has been polished clean. The barrel has been treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The grooves are dark. The rifling is deep but less pronounced at the muzzle. There is erosion in the grooves and at the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The receiver has been polished clean. It shows cleaned surface erosion & some small scratches. The barrel has been treated with cold blue. Surface erosion shows through the cold blue. The front of the barrel shows scrapes & discoloration. The bottom metal shows discoloration from oxidation & scrapes. The screw heads show light use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good to Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a leather sling with a quick detach rear buckle. It shows light marks and is in about Excellent condition.

Our Assessment: This German Gewehr 98 Mauser was made back in 1914 at the Spandau Arsenal. It is in great shape for a wartime service rifle that is over 100 years old. The wood has been oiled, the receiver has been cleaned and the barrel has been treated with cold blue so the rifle looks nice. Surprisingly the rifle has all matching part numbers (we did not strip the rifle down to check internals). Several of the metal parts are marked with the serial number or the last 2 digits of the serial number. Even the bottom metal screws & top of the front sight are marked with matching part numbers. The rifle has several markings on the stock and its classic roller coaster rear sights are in great shape. This is a Mauser for the collector.

Some basics from Wikipedia: “The Gewehr 98 (abbreviated G98, Gew 98 or M98) is a German bolt action Mauser rifle firing cartridges from a 5 round internal clip-loaded magazine that was the German service rifle from 1898 to 1935, when it was replaced by the Karabiner 98k. The Gewehr 98 action, using stripper clip loading with the powerful 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge, introduced advanced infantry weapon features…The Gewehr 98 replaced the earlier Gewehr 1888 rifle as the German service rifle, first saw combat in the Boxer Rebellion, and was the main German infantry rifle of World War I. The Gewehr 98 saw further military use by the Ottoman Empire and by Spanish Nationalists.”

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This rifle is curio and relic eligible and can be transferred/sold in California.