Third Party Press

Captured at Thiepval Ridge, 1916

UVF Gew.98

Well-known member
I was very lucky to snap up this addition to my collection....

Though it isn't a rifle, I thought it may still interest some on here (pictured them with some captured rifles to make forum appropriate!)

From top to bottom:

- Battle field pick up S98 bayonet with shrapnel damage
- Kar.98 (1917 Erfurt). Bring back with provenance, likely battle field pick up - had a bent barrel.
- 1912/15 Danzig, battle field pick up with shrapnel damage and duffle cut stock.
- 1899 Mauser, with its unit marked disc (4.G.R.8.5.), and latter Ulster Volunteer Force stamp. Possibly bring back (or otherwise aquired) and donated to cause (they were not sold any Gew.98's)
- P08 Binoculars, 1917, heavily worn
- P08 Artillery Luger, 1917 DWM, heavily worn, broken rear sight, missing side plate and trigger. Unit marked 108.S.9. May have been a battlefield surrender, rendered useless by disposing of those parts?
- Shrapnel hit clip of 8mm dug from the Somme
- P03 binoculars, captured at Thiepval Ridge, 1916

Here is a bit more about the latter:

- German Pattern 1903 Prismatic binoculars.

Case is marked externally (would appear in pencil)

BATTLE. OF. SOMME.
THIEVPHAL.
LE. GUERRE. 1916.

Inside of the case is marked: H Lightfoot

I like the fact he mis spelled Thiepval, latter going back to add the 'V' (and in the wrong place).

Le Guerre translates to 'the war'.

Two H. Lightfoot's were KIA during the battle of the Somme, at this point I am not sure if these were captured by one of them at an earlier stage of the battle of the Somme. More research is required.

Terrifying to imagine what their original owner might have used them to witness.

They are still crystal clear.




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Wow ! That is an amazing collection - Thanks for showing.

If you care to - and there is an interesting story - how did you come across it all ?

And if you find anything more about H Lightfoot please update.

- I also like the misspelling ( L "E" Guerre ) and all the periods.
 
Thanks for the kind words - these took a good while to accumulate. These are what I would describe as some of the highlights of my 15 year collection.

The Danzig 1912/15, which has shrapnel damage (and all matching numbers) was a complete chance find - it was also my second rifle. I emailed a few dealers saying what I was looking for. One called me back, and this is what he had (from his own collection) and sold it for a very, very attractive price. This was a bargain!

The Kar.98 and UVF Gew.98 are both very original rifles (kar.98 is all matching, Gew.98 has a replaced (Nazi) bolt release catch). The dealer these came from calls me if he has anything that stands out, as he generally de-activates for the market over here (England). The Kar.98 would have definitely been deactivated unless I took it on, and the Gew likely (de-activated arms sell easier and for more than live rifles over here).

The Kar.98 had been in the families loft for decades after being passed down. The Gew.98 was found hidden and covered in grease in a wall, in Northern Ireland, meaning that this rifle would have been taken from UVF hands at some point. She still retains early features (non-scalloped bayonet lug, no external numbers on stock, original barrel and sight base (sight leaf officially upgraded for Spitzer ammunition).

I paid WAY too much for the Kar.98. - though I do love it, and intend to keep. With the matching numbers, untouched for many many years patina and provenance I got carried away and did not take more than a glance down the barrel....bore was left dirty 100 years ago and though not very worn, very very corroded.

As for the Gew.98, I probably paid its money - but I have seen early ones go for ridiculous sums at auction.

The P08 and P03 binoculars, bayonet and Luger I chanced upon whilst browsing various sights online. The Thiepval binoculars were added whilst I was looking, and were immediately snapped up!

P1040518 (1024x768).jpgP1040519 (1024x768).jpgP1040520 (768x1024).jpgP1040517 (768x1024).jpg
 
I love the binos, thanks for posting.

I collect mostly WWII German Dienstglas, but have one pair from WWI. I have a WWII Ziess 6x30 with shrapnel damage, a splinter penetrated the body and is stuck inside, another went clear through. Though beat up and far from pristine, they are one of my favorites due to the damage. They were likely hanging around someone's neck when hit, it really adds to the history in my opinion when you have damage from combat or inscriptions like yours.

Wonderful grouping!

Jeff
 
A fascinating story of acquisition, and we can only imagine how difficult it was to go through the legal process to accomplish it. I am just pleased there are still opportunities in the UK to collect such rifles... the UFV G98 is one of the most extraordinary rifles to come to this forum. Hopefully, when the time comes, you will find a way to save this rifle from deactivation, - hopefully its UFV/Ulster past will save it.

Thanks for the kind words - these took a good while to accumulate. These are what I would describe as some of the highlights of my 15 year collection.
 
Ditch68 - I would love to see a picture of your binoculars, they sound fantastic!



Loewe - it is certainly a sad state when deactivated rifles command a higher price than live. We used to mainly de-activate rifles that were no longer worth shooting, but now it really doesn't matter if that rifle has never fired a single round....

The Kar.98 is safe - whilst I am still alive. I had the barrel straightened and I have had it proofed, so it is legal to own live. As the law stands at this time all live rifles need to pass the modern Nitro proof test, and to justify owning you have to fire them at least once per rifle, per year.

I can honestly say that this rifle is not worth shooting.

Along with my French Berthier carbine (again a bring back with provenance) who has very worn rifling, and a bulged muzzle.

I am hoping the law will change one day the more collectors press the subject, we see no reason why we shouldn't be able to collect historical firearms and not have to shoot them. If that were the case, the above mentioned two wouldn't be a problem.

The UVF Gew.98 is a different story - she has a pretty good bore. Still strong, sharp rifling (with some roughness in the grooves). She shoots very well, though I am very reluctant to fire her often.

With this rifle (and all of the rifles that haven't already been proofed) I pay extra to have the proof marks applied under the hand guard.

A lot of collectors do not know that this is even a possibility, and end up with their receivers being made a mess of (a bit like the import marks you have to deal with).

It only seems to be Birmingham proof house that will do this if asked, London are not interested.

As the markings are not visible, you get a certificate.

I have attached a few images of that rifle once again. I have been researching and scouring the internet for information and similar rifles.

I haven't managed to find another Gew.98 bearing this mark.

99GEW98-021009_2.jpg99GEW98-021009_3.jpg99GEW98-021009_6.jpg99GEW98-021009_5.jpg99GEW98-021009_7.jpg99GEW98-021009_8.jpg99GEW98-021009_10.jpgP1020047 (1280x960).jpgP1020052 (960x1280).jpgP1020065 (1280x960).jpgP1020087 (1280x960).jpgP1020068 (1280x960).jpgP1020087 (1280x960).jpg
 
Tis a very sad state of affairs we have to put up with in the UK but at least there are still a few good firearms out there that have escaped the de act butchers block.Thats a nice rifle UVF.I see Arundel militaria on the cert,I bought an ar43 k98 with scope a couple of years ago from there.Crying shame it was a de act but it displays nicely.
 
Yes they are the ones I snapped this rifle away from!

A couple of years ago they had a genuine, matching Gew.98 sniper (in fair condition) but lacking its scope and mount. It was live, but had a rod soldered into the bore (war bond rifle?).

I was trying hard to get hold of that, but sadly a de-act collector had more than I had to offer and snapped it up.

Huge shame, likely the bore was ruined, but I would have loved to have grabbed that one as it was. Never seen another...
 

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