Saxon Sterngewehr

[cj556]

Acquired this Dresden Saxon Sterngewehr today. Matching but for the rod and the rear action screw. Stock number is a factory error but clearly original. The receiver was made by Bayard and the receiver is marked Spandau 1916 on top. The buttplate is also marked “FA/17” and interestingly the 2 suffix appears below the buttplate serial and on top of the tang. The rifle is not without issues, the bright parts were polished, stock cleaned and there’s an epoxy repair ahead of the rear band on the left but given the scarcity of these rifles I can live with it.

 

[cj556]

More photos attached

 

[cj556]

Last batch please let me know if I missed anything

 

[Gerst]

Nice! My maternal grandfather was in a Saxon grenadier regiment so he probably carried one of these. He wore the marksmanship lanyard with one acorn and the Royal Shooting Badge on his sleeve.

 

[cj556]

Very cool Gerst. Btw the Reichswehr photos from your father are great and I appreciate you posting them.

 

[Rutche]

Wow, that Bayard emblem on the receiver is really neat! Sweet rifle, i need to find myself another Gewehr!

 

[Warrior1354]

Believe it or not Marc I was eying this rifle but something else popped up so I took a pass on it. Glad to see you won it though plus I didn't end up bidding against you! Yes the rifle does have it's issues but it's still a Saxon Sterngewehr which are not easy to locate matching or without problems. I think in about 8 eight years of researching I have seen maybe 6 that have been sold. And only one that was 100% matching that was untouched with a rare sling too. Either way nice rifle and glad you won it!

 

[Loewe]

I agree, a nice rifle, - and you have to admire the workmanship of the Saxons, pretty good quality and not a formal setting like a specialized state arsenal or private concern that was engineered to the purpose of mass manufacture of rifles. But this makes more sense when you consider Dresden and Saxon history, one of the most historic and beautiful cities in Europe at the time (until 1945), its appreciation of art and architecture, and its robust industrial traditions (one of the three most important industrial centers of Germany at the time)

They did make a lot of these though, and a pretty high survival rate, but most are heavily used and abused, most mismatchers to one degree or another.. I kept my Dresden and still have it, based upon a Simson receiver, total original except rod, but rather an abused dog... but it came out of the Northeast and was in parts when I got it, MauserBill restored it to its original condition, but you can't fix ugly! (abused)

*** a few pictures, I haven't taken pictures of it in 13 years and didn't even get shots assembled, but Bill's receiver shot was handy.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Outstanding rifle, Marc! Really glad you got it and were able to get such good photos.
And Paul, never tire of seeing your Dresden Simson!

 

[heavy_mech]

Wow, that Bayard emblem on the receiver is really neat! Sweet rifle, i need to find myself another Gewehr!

Agreed. I also like seeing corp logos.

 

[cj556]

Thanks all, I do love the Bayard receiver too.

Jordan- glad we didn’t end up bidding against each other and hope you win the rifle you’re after (especially if it’s the one I’m thinking it is)

Paul- thanks as always for your insight and I’m glad to see your Dresden Simson! Looks like a very nice rifle!

 

[chrisftk]

Solid rifle Marc!, Glad you snagged one. The variations on these are cool. Of the three I own, there's a Spandau receiver, a Bayard and a Siemens & Halske. Sterngewehren are to me more interesting than even WW2 era depot builds.

 

[Peter S]

Nice rifle.....I really like the receiver logo. Here is mine for comparison.

1917-17 Spandau Sterngewehr Dresden (Saxon)

I acquired this 1917 Sterngewehr a few months ago from a forum member. I finally got around to taking some pictures today. It is all matching and has never been molested.

www.k98kforum.com

 

[mauser1908]

Beautiful rifle Marc, congrats!

 

[cj556]

Thanks Sam, Chris and Peter.
Peter your rifle is beautiful love the fact that it’s untouched.
Chris also glad you got yours weird how three surface in a month.