Product Information
An all matching numbers, First World War German Gew98 rifle. It is dated 1918 and was manufactured by Mauser Obernorf and has its original matching bolt and wood work. The serial number has a letter "a" suffix which means it is from only the second batch produced that year. The first 10,000 rifles from each new years production usually started without a letter suffix. Once completed the next batch started 0001a to 9999a and so on. That puts this rifle at around number 18,172nd of 1918. Another unusual feature is the Turkish markings on the receiver above the Mauser name. 1918 saw huge shortages of rifles within the German army, and all available weapons were being sent to the frontline. However, Turkey was a key ally with Germany and had been receiving small quantities of Gew 98 rifles to arm and defend itself against the Allies. Often overlooked during the Great War, the Ottoman empire was involved in fighting throughout the war and are most famously noted for defeating Allied forces at the Battle of Gallipoli, fort from April 1915 to 9 January 1916. It is quite plausible this rifle was not shipped Turkey, but instead was diverted to German forces. Having said that, the Turkish contract Gew98's are among the rarest of the First World War as so few were made, from 1917 to 1918 only.
This rare rifle comes fitted with an original leather sling and 1915 dated Simson & Co, Suhn 1898/05 bayonet. The rifle is deactivated with a working action it can be cocked, stripped and dry fired.
Of considerable interest, the bayonet pommel has the a crown over RC stamped on it between the Imperial acceptance stamps. This means that it failed its first inspection and was later rectified before being approved by the German inspector.
To order Call 01547 529093 or 05603 416575 or email sales@deactivated-guns.co.uk.
