1915 GEW 98 a Waffenfrabrik Mauser A-G OberIIDorf A/N

[Bill]

I just purchased this rifle from a family member. All Ser#s match except on the safety. The only piece missing is the cleaning rod. My question is, where can I find one?
If anyone would like to see a few photos I'd be happy to post a few. I'm sure it's a fairly common mauser.

thanks, Bill

 

[mrfarb]

Of course, post some photos!

 

[Loewe]

Welcome to the forum, please do some pictures.

Cleaning rods are difficult to find problem free, expect to pay $50+ for a good one, if you can find one. Best bet is ebay, Gun Broker or another collector, but collectors rarely will sell one, you will need a trade in most cases. Problem is that most collectors have more rifles in need of a rod than excess rods, only MauserBill has the reverse situation and he won't sell them, he only trades.

MO/1915 isn't rare as you guessed, but nice original ones are a lot tougher than you would think. Rifles made in 1915 were used, there was a rifle shortage and most made found their way to the battlefield. Generally 1917 is the most common date to find nice and original, regardless of maker, they are usually the most common rifle to find from any of the makers.

During 1915, Danzig & DWM had the highest production, Spandau a close third, basically tied with Mauser, the balance of the makers were smalls by comparison.

 

[Bill]

length of cleaning rod

Thanks for the infomation about finding a cleaning rod.

Is there a particular length on the cleaning rod? It seems as if they had more than a few lengths for these rods.

Also, I will post a few photos.

thanks, Bill

Come to think of it, I do know of another mauser for sale that has ammo and a bayonet. I need to go look at it again.
After spending a few day here on this site looking at photos and reading post I have a better idea of what to look for.
To use a phrase, I'm dangerously armed with little information.

 

[Loewe]

Cleaning rods for the Gewehr98 are a little over 15.5 inches long (15.625 inches according to MauserBill, but I have never taken the time to measure them accurately), they vary in length only in the slightest way and isn't noticeable without a measurement.

They will be bright metal, they will have a fraktur acceptance stamp and a serial, no exceptions. The Brazilian 1908 contract rifles have the same rods, but are not serialed nor have fraktur acceptance stamps. Some use these as they are at least the right style and are much cheaper than real deal Gewehr98's rods.

Well you are in the right spot to learn about the rifles, this is the only forum exclusively dedicated to German military rifles and we will try to help you get up to speed. Good luck!

 

[Kammerjaeger]

Bill,

Just saw a G98 rod on GB. Auction # *********.

Dear moderator, I hope this does not violate protocol.

KJ

 

[Loewe]

KJ, nothing personal but we do not allow live auctions to be listed or discussed. Maybe email Bill the link?

 

[Kammerjaeger]

Roger that. I thought sending the auction # might be OK. Next time it will be a PM or e-mail.

KJ

 

[feldmütze]

Just adding that correct G98 rods can be non-serial #'d if armorers. The Brazilian '08 rods have the "ß" proof and I believe originally blued.

 

[gew98]

Just adding that correct G98 rods can be non-serial #'d if armorers. The Brazilian '08 rods have the "ß" proof and I believe originally blued.

Mike ; You are right about original 'replacement part' rods being proofed but not serialed , but brazilian rods were in the white.

 

[Bill]

promised photos

Attached is a few photos of the Gew98

Thanks everyone for the help with the cleaning rod.

 

[RyanE]

That is interesting. Looks like a Polish refurb. I think the 'triangle z' indicates a arsenal/depot ("Zbrojownia") perhaps Warsaw? Appears to have an additional Polish fireproof as well.

Can you take some detailed pics of the all the parts and markings? Photos taken outside turn out best.

 

[Loewe]

I agree, this is a Polish used rifle, these sometimes are more valuable than those that stayed in German hands after 1918.

The "Z" in an upside-down triangle is a depot marking, according to a Polish collector who wrote a brief letter in the MRJ in 1997 it stands for "Zbrojownia" (or "zbrojownie") or arsenal, but others (John Wall) has said Polish collectors have declared the marking to mean "small armory or armourer's repair facility or maintenance depot that was a satellite to a larger facility or factory". Apparently there are several different markings that include this "Z", this upside-down triangle style across the top of receivers, a circle "Z" often on barrels, variations of "Zbr." on stocks, but as this is outside on my main interest, I am not sure if they are all directly related to the same meaning.

Whatever the case, the rifle was certainly in Polish hands prior to World War II and better pictures would help. Especially of any markings in the stock and right side of the receiver, often they are fireproofed by the Poles on the right side, barrel markings would be nice too.

I will also say that this style of marking, the triangle "Z" is less common on German rifles in Polish hands than the "FB" in the upside down triangle, at least so far as I have seen. John Wall owns a couple of these and they are about the only ones I have seen with the "Z" style marking.

 

[Bill]

That is interesting. Looks like a Polish refurb. I think the 'triangle z' indicates a arsenal/depot ("Zbrojownia") perhaps Warsaw? Appears to have an additional Polish fireproof as well.

Can you take some detailed pics of the all the parts and markings? Photos taken outside turn out best.

I'll post more photos today or tomorrow

thanks

 

[Bill]

More Photos

I apologize for the delay, here are more photos, let me know what you think.

thanks

 

[Bill]

Another Mauser

My nephew also has a sniper rifle his grandfather removed off of a German Shoulder. He would like your opinion on it if you all would not mind. I'll post the photos in the sniper rifle forum.

thanks, Bill

 

[Loewe]

I think it is nicer than most I have recorded, looks pretty much original, which ain't too easy to find.

The sniper forum is a good place for the other rifle, there are a couple sharp collectors there that know as much as anyone.

 

[Bill]

Fireproof?

That is interesting. Looks like a Polish refurb. I think the 'triangle z' indicates a arsenal/depot ("Zbrojownia") perhaps Warsaw? Appears to have an additional Polish fireproof as well.

Can you take some detailed pics of the all the parts and markings? Photos taken outside turn out best.

What is fireproof?

 

[Bill]

Value

I would like to know what this rifle might be worth today. Would anyone mind giving me their opinion?

thanks, Bill

 

[Bigdibbs88]

i think the rifles that got passed around between the poles and germans are some of the most interesting out there. so much history!