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1918 Mauser 98A Good Lead

KA4KOE

Well-known member
I have a good lead on a 1918 Mauser 98A. It has the newer style sight that is similar to the Karabiner 98K.

Anything I should look out for that screams "DON'T BUY ME?", besides poor bore, non-matching numbers, etc.

My impression is these are somewhat rarer than K98Ks. AND, what is the typical asking price?

Thanks.

Philip Neidlinger
 
well,,,

there are alot more variables to price.. A 98az would have a flat sight. The gew98 has the lange sight.or roller coaster site.. There are two makers of kar98's in 1918 erfurt and danzig. The second being far more scarce..Price can vary from 2 hundred to two thousand.. So its a must to know the details..
 
That's good to know. I'll be sure to check before handing any cash over. Are these rifles as safe to shoot as the K98K's, assuming the bore and headspace are within spec, using standard 8mm Mauser ammo.

Tnx

Philip
 
If it is a Kar.98a, and 1918 dated, it can only be Erfurt or Danzig (much scarcer, 110k made compared to 330k plus), as M99 stated. If it is a "Mauser/1918" Gew.98, then it is highly likely it is a Turkish service rifle. Germany supplied Turkey with enormous numbers of weapons and ammunition starting in 1917, after finishing off Rumania & Serbia (the campaign was largely to open a supply line to Turkey, as she was desperate for ammunition especially.. Germany made a grave error in coaxing Turkey & Bulgaria into the war, just a huge liability)

Anyway, that said, if you find an "Imperial" configuration Gew.98 dated 1918, and it has no signs of Turk service, it is a great find. They were made in huge numbers, but very few survived the war. Most likely the figured prominently in the destruction totals served over to the IAMCC, and were retained in service (many 1918 dated Gew.98 that survived are interwar Gew.98 reworks).

Finding an "Imperial" configuration Gew.98 in good original condition is very tough, I have only seen a few and never owned one myself.
 
They're asking 450 for it. I'll get more info the next time I am at the shop. It was in someone's collection who has passed, and the place is liquidating the estate.

Philip
 
I think its a 1918 DWM Berlin, if memory serves. It has the same "thru the stock" sling and rear sight as my K98K.

Philip
 
Got your email too, - what is the length of the barrel? Does the stock have a cutout for the bolt?

If it has a side sling arrangement and it is matching-original, it could be either a Gew.98-98b conversion (very unlikely) or a Gew.98 conversion to 98k, which come in several forms, some are real conversions, also rare, but most are essentially just 98k builds using a Gew.98 receiver. How it is marked is important, as to value, but parts should be matching to the receiver serial, though often in abbreviated form.

Little things matter in separating real deal from humper fantasy. Do some images or describe the rifle in great detail.

I think its a 1918 DWM Berlin, if memory serves. It has the same "thru the stock" sling and rear sight as my K98K.

Philip
 
No further info at this moment. however, it had a straight bolt and is longer than my k98k. Stock very dark color, I don't think it had a stacking hook on the front....going on memory. In retrospect should have noticed details, but was excited at seeing my first WW1 rifle, and I am a novice of the first rank. In retrospect, I really need a good reference text......recommendations welcome.

I have not purchased this weapon yet.

Philip
 
It really depends on what you have.

Upgraded Gew.98's (Gew.98M) come in many different forms, some are worth something, some aren't worth much. As these are all refinished, by the Germans at least, some do not care for them, while others find them fascinating due to their varied role during the interwar period, various types of reworks, sometimes unit markings.

The real issue is whether it is matching, German matching, or if not how badly mismatched. Finding completely matching ones are not too easy, usually they are bolt m/m rifles, but if the stock is matching and decent that is a plus and makes it have some value. After that it depends on unit markings, what type of rework, early ones are better, - if it has MO (S/42) rear sight parts they are not as appealing to me, earlier dual sights and Simson parts are a plus in my book, but everyone has their own likes and dislikes.

One of the main things to concern yourself with is making sure it isn't a Spanish import, look for a shorter barrel, metal painted black, or really rough condition. Also take care and look to see that some parts are matching, many of the Albanian imports are real rough, bad bores, and usually badly mismatched, though nothing as bad as the rc, which has no collector value imo.
 
My RC was inherited from my father. Although its intrinsic value is nil, the personal value is priceless. And, its the first rifle I've owned. Every time I shoot it, I think of Pop. Jordan will get this rifle when its my time to "become one with the snows of yesteryear", although down here in Savannah, Georgia, it only snows about once every 15-20 years (enough to stay on the ground for more than 15 minutes).

:)

Philip
 
The comments on the rc were not intended to criticize your rc, your post came while I was composing my comments. I actually have less disdain for the "rc" than I do for its proponents, who remind me of socialists, communists and democraps due to the populist rhetoric about the poor down trodden who can afford nothing else.

The "rc" is what it is, a representative shooting example, nothing wrong with them really, they just are not a collectable "German" military rifle imo. That your rifle belong to your father, I can understand the attachment towards it.
 
No, no, no!!

I was speaking in jest. I was not offended at all!!! Please don't misunderstand me. We're good here. Promise!!

Philip
 

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