1905 DWM Gew98 Army (Jager) Issue SN 8405 d

[chrisftk]

Hi All,

I've got a bit of a backlog of postings, so I'll try to work backwards over the next several weeks to document these.

I picked this one up on GB after Sam's coaxing that it needed to be saved. The rifle had its fore end shortened to right in front of the rear band spring and the lip of the handguard was cutback as well. No other major changes were made to the rifle. I was able to get it pretty cheaply through an offer to the seller. Here is the "before"

I cut the stock back to just in front of the cleaning rod lug to do a faux duffel cut, I was able to take a spare fore end, an extra band that was matching in patina and an armorer's bayonet lug to repair the front. Fortunately the color of the fore end was near identical and really ended up looking nice.

With the rifle fixed, here is some commentary--- The rifle matches except for the bands, rear action screw and rear sight leaf. It's an old warhorse and the metal has almost no finish remaining. The bolt and triggerguard assembly are factory, which is pretty cool for a 1905 date. The rifle made two separate trips to Rastatt, as evidenced on the buttplate. It appears the stock was an armorer's replacement, as I cant see any side acceptance. The disc was flipped, so I checked the back and was pleasantly surprised to find a 5th Jager Regiment unit marking. Nice bonus! The markings on the keel and wrist are faint-- I lean more toward a light sanding than wear, as the bottom is smooth.

In any case, it was a nice and inexpensive fix that turned out pretty good. I'll admit, my pictures of the stock interior and a few other internal shots didn't save right, so we'll have to go without until I take apart again lol.

Data:
Receiver 8405 d
Barrel 8405 d Bo 16
Front Sight 05
Rear Sight Leaf mm
Sight Slider 05
Ejector Box 05
Trigger Sear 05
Front Barrel Band mm
Rear Barrel Band mm
Trigger Guard 8405
Trigger Guard Screws mm, armorer
Floor Plate 05
Follower 05
Stock 8405
Handguard 8405
Buttplate 8405 d (2x Rastatt)
Bayonet Lug armorer
Cleaning Rod none
Bolt Body 8405
Extractor 05
Safety 05
Cocking Piece 05
Bolt Sleeve 05
Firing Pin 05

 

[chrisftk]

Remaining pics-- note the old Menen deodorant ad as a shim in the handguard!

 

[Cyrano4747]

That's some really good work on the stock.

What's your technique for joining the cuts? I've got a duffel-cut rifle in my safe (Spandau . . . 1915 I think? I'd have to go look, it's been living in the back for a while) that I've been meaning to fix for almost a decade now. It's one of those things where I'll do a lot of reading, think the project through, and then something comes up and it gets back burnered again.

 

[joryfreeburg]

Really nice save on the stock Chris. You really have to look to pick it up. Nice old war horse

 

[PrayingMantis]

Great save, Chris. The unit marked disc is only icing on the cake, even without it, the Gew is a great example of an early DWM. 1905 is a cool date, too. (It's almost like 1915 in wartime Gews: fewer show up compared to the next year, probably a mixture of lower total production and higher attrition.) Paul previously stated 1905 was the first year DWM produced a larger number, he estimated 50,000, so i wonder what the highest observed serial is for DWM in 1905.

Looking at it more closely now, i do not think that it is an armorer's stock, like i had suggested before. Compare it to this other 1905 DWM, the wrist acceptance is the same c/O: https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/what-do-i-have.6944/

 

[PatickD]

Looks great Chris! Wicked nice job.

I’ve seen unit discs flipped a handful of times. Did they flip the discs when the rifles were no longer part of that division/unit/etc?

The outside, facing side, of the disc should be the side with the proof, right?

 

[cj556]

FWIW my 99 DWM has a faint crown O on the wrist as I recall.

 

[chrisftk]

That's some really good work on the stock.

What's your technique for joining the cuts? I've got a duffel-cut rifle in my safe (Spandau . . . 1915 I think? I'd have to go look, it's been living in the back for a while) that I've been meaning to fix for almost a decade now. It's one of those things where I'll do a lot of reading, think the project through, and then something comes up and it gets back burnered again.

Thanks! This one I actually just have held on with friction. I was strategic on how I cut the wood to have it fit well against the band. I generally don't repair duffle cuts, but On stocks with loose duffel cuts, I have used resin.

Really nice save in that stock Chris. You really have to look to pick it up. Nice old war horse

Thanks Jory!

Great save, Chris. The unit marked disc is only icing on the cake, even without it, the Gew is a great example of an early DWM. 1905 is a cool date, too. (It's almost like 1915 in wartime Gews: fewer show up compared to the next year, probably a mixture of lower total production and higher attrition.) Paul previously stated 1905 was the first year DWM produced a larger number, he estimated 50,000, so i wonder what the highest observed serial is for DWM in 1905.

Looking at it more closely now, i do not think that it is an armorer's stock, like i had suggested before. Compare it to this other 1905 DWM, the wrist acceptance is the same c/O: https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/what-do-i-have.6944/

FWIW my 99 DWM has a faint crown O on the wrist as I recall.

Good Call Cyrus and thanks for the comparison Marc. At first blush I did not see any signs of sanding on the right side, but on very close inspection, I do see faint remnants of the cartouches. The stock has the feel of multiple coats of ballistol though. The sanding happened a long time ago. I am loathe to suggest Depot sanding, as it is somewhat used as a crutch, but this did cycle through Rastatt twice. Equally likely was that it was sanded when the stock was originally cut. Either way the wood presents pretty nice and doesn't look as sickly as some sanding does. The fact that it has the original stock certainly adds to the cool factor-- it's a pretty original gun from that perspective despite 2 depot trips.

Looks great Chris! Wicked nice job.

I’ve seen unit discs flipped a handful of times. Did they flip the discs when the rifles were no longer part of that division/unit/etc?

The outside, facing side, of the disc should be the side with the proof, right?

Thanks Danny-- the discs were likely flipped as guns were transferred around or sent to depots. I've also had some that have unit markings on both sides. When originally built the side with the acceptance would be facing out. My rule of thumb is any early war or pre-war that has no acceptance on the disc gets flipped just to make sure there's nothing there. I have a very long winded procedure on how to safely flip them because I've done a couple dozen or so. I'll have to write it up sometime.

 

[PatickD]

Thanks! This one I actually just have held on with friction. I was strategic on how I cut the wood to have it fit well against the band. I generally don't repair duffle cuts, but On stocks with loose duffel cuts, I have used resin.


Thanks Jory!


Good Call Cyrus and thanks for the comparison Marc. At first blush I did not see any signs of sanding on the right side, but on very close inspection, I do see faint remnants of the cartouches. The stock has the feel of multiple coats of ballistol though. The sanding happened a long time ago. I am loathe to suggest Depot sanding, as it is somewhat used as a crutch, but this did cycle through Rastatt twice. Equally likely was that it was sanded when the stock was originally cut. Either way the wood presents pretty nice and doesn't look as sickly as some sanding does. The fact that it has the original stock certainly adds to the cool factor-- it's a pretty original gun from that perspective despite 2 depot trips.


Thanks Danny-- the discs were likely flipped as guns were transferred around or sent to depots. I've also had some that have unit markings on both sides. When originally built the side with the acceptance would be facing out. My rule of thumb is any early war or pre-war that has no acceptance on the disc gets flipped just to make sure there's nothing there. I have a very long winded procedure on how to safely flip them because I've done a couple dozen or so. I'll have to write it up sometime.

Thanks! This one I actually just have held on with friction. I was strategic on how I cut the wood to have it fit well against the band. I generally don't repair duffle cuts, but On stocks with loose duffel cuts, I have used resin.


Thanks Jory!


Good Call Cyrus and thanks for the comparison Marc. At first blush I did not see any signs of sanding on the right side, but on very close inspection, I do see faint remnants of the cartouches. The stock has the feel of multiple coats of ballistol though. The sanding happened a long time ago. I am loathe to suggest Depot sanding, as it is somewhat used as a crutch, but this did cycle through Rastatt twice. Equally likely was that it was sanded when the stock was originally cut. Either way the wood presents pretty nice and doesn't look as sickly as some sanding does. The fact that it has the original stock certainly adds to the cool factor-- it's a pretty original gun from that perspective despite 2 depot trips.


Thanks Danny-- the discs were likely flipped as guns were transferred around or sent to depots. I've also had some that have unit markings on both sides. When originally built the side with the acceptance would be facing out. My rule of thumb is any early war or pre-war that has no acceptance on the disc gets flipped just to make sure there's nothing there. I have a very long winded procedure on how to safely flip them because I've done a couple dozen or so. I'll have to write it up sometime.

Great info! Thanks Chris. That’s what I was sorta expecting. My Gew 98 is a Mauser from 1907. That has an unmarked unit disk. On the outside at least.

I have the correct bits, to remove it (I think). I can always make a correct bit too.

This is my disk:



Think it would be worth checking?

 

[chrisftk]

Great info! Thanks Chris. That’s what I was sorta expecting. My Gew 98 is a Mauser from 1907. That has an unmarked unit disk. On the outside at least.

I have the correct bits, to remove it (I think). I can always make a correct bit too.

This is my disk:

View attachment 320814

Think it would be worth checking?

Danny, unfortunately you have the same issue that I did on my WMO 1907. Since the side with the acceptance stamp is out, it is very unlikely that there is anything on the other side I would not chance the risks involved on this particular one.

While pre-war rifles have a much higher chance of being marked, I still have plenty that do not have one.

 

[PatickD]

Danny, unfortunately you have the same issue that I did on my WMO 1907. Since the side with the acceptance stamp is out, it is very unlikely that there is anything on the other side I would not chance the risks involved on this particular one.

While pre-war rifles have a much higher chance of being marked, I still have plenty that do not have one.

Good advice, I’ll take it for what it is, and leave it. Thanks for the honest feedback.

 

[chrisftk]

Good advice, I’ll take it for what it is, and leave it. Thanks for the honest feedback.

Any time-- From what I remember about your 1907 it's an absolute beauty, so no sense taking the risks unless the front of the disc had no acceptance.

 

[Fal Grunt]

I've always been hesitant with MANY surplus arms to use the term sanded. There are definitely a LOT of sanded guns out their, but there is a noteable, albeit sometimes minute difference between sanded and heavily worn.

I don't have it anymore, but for a long time I saved an Argentine 1891 that came in a pallet of 1891's that was so heavily worn, the band springs were completely proud of the wood, and more impressively, the metal was so worn that there were no remaining markings. This rifle was from one of the last batches to come out of Argentina, and had been in service for over 100 years!

It was shocking to lay such a worn rifle next to a mint original one and see the difference.

 

[Cyrano4747]

What was the in-service care regimen fir the stocks? Do we know?

I ask because I remember reading a few years ago that the worn cartouches on a lot of Garands are because of how the stocks were re-oiled in service. Part of it involved scraping the old finish with a tool before re-oiling. It’s been a while so I might have some details wrong but the thrust was that the markings were worn down by the proscribed maintenance.