1918 Oberspree
- Thread starter Fish
- Start date
Warrior1354
ax - hole
I would post a closer picture of the underside of the bolt handle. Will give us an idea on the bolt maker and by the way I just noticed this rifle has a matching cleaning rod that's a plus!
I agree, while the pictures are much clearer and have less distractions, they still lack details of the markings. I think they are good enough for an auction though, it shows the main points a potential buyer would need, though I would add a clear right receiver shot, the RR and stock acceptance patterns are the most important markings for identifying what a rifle is, these acceptance stamps tell the maker and time frame, most of the rest are just acceptance for the parts and can vary widely for any maker-date, especially a wartime rifle where sub-contracting was very common. The barrel code is also very important for an evaluation, but not necessary for an auction, - these are usually under the handguard or that area under the stock, some are postwar, some wartime. Your barrel is original though, so if it is a postwar barrel (some are) it only reinforces the theory these were made after the war...
Really though, you show enough for the average buyer, most do not make a lot of distinctions, - they see Oberspree and know it is rare, the see 1918 and know fewer still are offered... If you want to know the bolt maker, do clear pictures of IMG 1243, however from some of the other pictures the bolt looks like a salvaged bolt renumbered to another rifle (which was common during and after the war)
Really though, you show enough for the average buyer, most do not make a lot of distinctions, - they see Oberspree and know it is rare, the see 1918 and know fewer still are offered... If you want to know the bolt maker, do clear pictures of IMG 1243, however from some of the other pictures the bolt looks like a salvaged bolt renumbered to another rifle (which was common during and after the war)
The barrel code would be helpful to our purposes here, though not necessary for an auction. It is probably in front of the rear sight, possibly above the stock line (under the handguard). Some are under the stock though, so that is more work on your part. However in this discussion the barrel code could be very helpful to research on these, as if it has a post war S28 style barrel this would reinforce the belief that these Oberspree/1918 no suffix rifles are post war assembled.
While there are some similarities between a wartime Oberpree/1918 and a post war Oberspree/18 or S28, there are significant distinctions and those distinctions are helpful to record looking for trends.
While there are some similarities between a wartime Oberpree/1918 and a post war Oberspree/18 or S28, there are significant distinctions and those distinctions are helpful to record looking for trends.
Better pictures, - look for a barrel code in front of the rear sight. Make sure you take an angle that includes the acceptance. It should also lack a fireproof, which is another sign this is postwar (wartime Oberspree's all have FP with the BC, not next to the barrel serial....)
By "front of rear sight" I mean forward of the rearsight, between the rear sight and muzzle, though very close to the rearsight...it should be obvious, though it can be on the underside or above part of barrel. Generally two or three letters and a number, followed by three acceptance stamps (crowned letters)
Hopefully this id the number. Did not see any other markings.These were the only markings that fit the 3 symbols. If there should be more, I will take it apart during the day.
Also the small piece of wood had the number 4700.
Also the small piece of wood had the number 4700.
Attachments
It is the barrel code, it is an Imperial era barrel, - though lacks acceptance which is not uncommon on these postwar assemblies. Little more can be said, the rifle is a postwar assembled rifle, it shares little in common with a normal Imperial Oberspree/18, different acceptance, different FP practice, serialing is out of the normal sequence (which is Oberspree starts in 1918 where it ended in 1917).
A rare rifle in this condition, even with the graffiti on the stock, but it has more in common with an S28 than WWI G98, though the distinction would be lost on most if you sold it on Gun Broker.
A rare rifle in this condition, even with the graffiti on the stock, but it has more in common with an S28 than WWI G98, though the distinction would be lost on most if you sold it on Gun Broker.
Pricing the rifle is near impossible, I have recorded no end results for a similar rifle at auction (Oberspree/18 or 19). You can't compare this rifle to a normal G98, for one it is far more rare than the typical rifle on Gun Broker, second, this rifle is probably in a similar condition it left the factory, - stock damage aside, the rifle almost certainly had this style rearsight when made, though it may have been a dual compliance with slightly different markings. (in otherwords it is far more original like this, blued with this RS, than your run of the mill upgraded G98 encountered on GB)
Secondly a near matching Oberspree rarely comes up for sale, they were only made in 1918 and 1919 and in very small numbers. Most you see from this company are WOK's and they are fairly common by comparison.
You do have some challenges though, the stock damage is a serious distraction, second only a handful of collectors know what this rifle is, and most that will be bidding will not realize this rifle was never "reworked" postwar... most will think it a normal wartime G98 that was reworked in the 1920's, which generally is a distraction. (reworked rifles are far less desirable than their original counterparts, but yours is pretty original)
I would say its worth about $800 or so, but realistically you have to find someone with both the knowledge and the means. Not so easy on GB, - where most buyers are imbeciles who need flashy lights and grotesque displays of German militarism to take interest in a German rifle.
Never heard of Gunboards appraisals, but anything to do with Gunboards is generally a cause for concern; the collective intellect of all of Gunboards-98k couldn't power a lcd wrist watch, needless to say answer a question that didn't involve plagiarism... Companies do not do appraisals, people do, and you need specialists to do them. I know pretty much everyone who knows anything about German military rifles, especially Imperial and interwar rifles, and I doubt anyone behind the appraisals knows anything about the subject, - perhaps some gifted parrot that will regurgitate something found on this forum, but nothing developed through independent research.
Secondly a near matching Oberspree rarely comes up for sale, they were only made in 1918 and 1919 and in very small numbers. Most you see from this company are WOK's and they are fairly common by comparison.
You do have some challenges though, the stock damage is a serious distraction, second only a handful of collectors know what this rifle is, and most that will be bidding will not realize this rifle was never "reworked" postwar... most will think it a normal wartime G98 that was reworked in the 1920's, which generally is a distraction. (reworked rifles are far less desirable than their original counterparts, but yours is pretty original)
I would say its worth about $800 or so, but realistically you have to find someone with both the knowledge and the means. Not so easy on GB, - where most buyers are imbeciles who need flashy lights and grotesque displays of German militarism to take interest in a German rifle.
Never heard of Gunboards appraisals, but anything to do with Gunboards is generally a cause for concern; the collective intellect of all of Gunboards-98k couldn't power a lcd wrist watch, needless to say answer a question that didn't involve plagiarism... Companies do not do appraisals, people do, and you need specialists to do them. I know pretty much everyone who knows anything about German military rifles, especially Imperial and interwar rifles, and I doubt anyone behind the appraisals knows anything about the subject, - perhaps some gifted parrot that will regurgitate something found on this forum, but nothing developed through independent research.
