Württembergische Gewehr 98 WMO 1911 3655

[PrayingMantis]

This came up on Gunbroker recently, and though the timing was not great for me, I could not hesitate to snag it. Württemberg proofed Gewehre do not show up often, and this is the first I’ve really had a chance at getting.
It is closet-fresh to say the least. Only detractions are some scratches to the stock. Otherwise it has that nice toning to the metal that only comes with age. The screws were pretty much untouched, took a couple quick hits with an impacting screw driver to free them. Underneath the wood the metal is pristine. The acceptance are all quite strong and well stamped. They all appear to to be crown over H, which is consistent with other Württembergische Gewehre from 1911-13. It is interesting to compare this to Prussian production WMOs from the same time frame. Th's Gew's only oddities are that it’s counter bored and the bolt renumbered, yet there are no depot stamps on the buttplate, only a small punchmark that could be unrelated.

WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER A-G OBERNDORF A/N 1911

Receiver 3655 c/H c/H c/H
Barrel 3655 c/H c/H c/H BS 4
Front Sight 55 c/H
Rear Sight Leaf 55 c/H
Sight Slider 55 c/H
Sight Slider Tabs 55, 55 c/H, c/H
Ejector Box 55, c/H
Trigger Sear 55, c/H
Front Barrel Band 55 c/H
Rear Barrel Band 55 c/H
Trigger Guard 55 c/H c/H
Trigger Guard Screws 55, 55 c/H, c/H
Floor Plate 55 c/H
Follower 55 c/H
Stock 3655 c/W c/H c/H
Stock Wrist c/H c/H
Handguard 3655 c/H
Buttplate 3655 c/H
Bayonet Lug 55 c/H
Cleaning Rod 74
Bolt Body 1707a 3655
Extractor 07
Safety 07
Cocking Piece 07
Bolt Sleeve 07
Firing Pin 07?

 

[PrayingMantis]

Barrel and sights.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Triggerguard and magazine assembly.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Bands, springs, and bayonet lug.

 

[biggymu]

Y’all are knocking’em out of the park! Very cool another rare Gew98. Congratulations!

 

[PrayingMantis]

Stock, stock metal, and handguard. Note the marking on the buttplate where a letter suffix would go, though the serial number has no suffix. Maybe a indicator of the contract?

 

[PrayingMantis]

Y’all are knocking’em out of the park! Very cool another rare Gew98. Congratulations!

Thanks, Rick! That’s much appreciated!

 

[chrisftk]

Cyrus, that thing is clutch. It doesn't get much better than this!

Oddly enough, mine is counter bored too. They must have been partial to that in Württemberg. Congrats man, I'm glad we found another one for our little club.

These are sorely needed for observational purposes so I am glad another one has worked its way out into the open.

 

[mauser1908]

Cyrus, that’s a fantastic example, so glad you got it! The original photo set really didn’t do this one justice!

Did you know it was counterbored prior to it arriving? Interesting there’s no indicator on the shoulder.

 

[Warrior1354]

Very nice rifle congrats to you Cyrus.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Thanks Chris, Sam, and Jordan!
Sam, I was completely unaware the barrel was counterbored. The only unusual thing I’ve found that might indicate work is a punch mark on the buttplate.

 

[joryfreeburg]

That’s really nice! I really love that firing proof. Really good looking rifle

 

[Fal Grunt]

Great find!

 

[chrisftk]

Thanks Chris, Sam, and Jordan!
Sam, I was completely unaware the barrel was counterbored. The only unusual thing I’ve found that might indicate work is a punch mark on the buttplate.

Very odd there wasn't a crown for the counterbore. They even did it on 88s.

Maybe it was done at a lower level armorer (regimental maybe?)

 

[mauser1908]

Very odd there wasn't a crown for the counterbore. They even did it on 88s.

Maybe it was done at a lower level armorer (regimental maybe?)

Years ago, a very well known seller had a 1915 DWM that was unmarked but counter bored. I actually asked if it was a basement job. I obviously didn’t believe his answer, but looking back I think it was probably a lower level shop that did the work.

 

[Telperion]

Note the marking on the buttplate where a letter suffix would go, though the serial number has no suffix. Maybe a indicator of the contract?

The no-letter blocks were marked with the suffix "a" on the usual place as soon as Schlossteile neuer Art (n.A.) were installed. This didn't mean anything in 1911 as there were no more Schlossteile alter Art (a.A.) left, but the marking instructions were left unchanged. Good to see this in real life!

Cool piece! Thanks for sharing!

T

 

[chrisftk]

The no-letter blocks were marked with the suffix "a" on the usual place as soon as Schlossteile neuer Art (n.A.) were installed. This didn't mean anything in 1911 as there were no more Schlossteile alter Art (a.A.) left, but the marking instructions were left unchanged. Good to see this in real life!

Cool piece! Thanks for sharing!

T

T-- it's funny you should mention that. I've noticed the same thing on a few of my no suffix rifles. I wondered why that might be the case.

 

[PrayingMantis]

The no-letter blocks were marked with the suffix "a" on the usual place as soon as Schlossteile neuer Art (n.A.) were installed. This didn't mean anything in 1911 as there were no more Schlossteile alter Art (a.A.) left, but the marking instructions were left unchanged. Good to see this in real life!

Cool piece! Thanks for sharing!

T

Great information, thanks T! Like Chris I’ve noticed the marking but wasn’t sure the meaning.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Here is a link to the Wurtt WMO Chris snagged a few months back. They are pretty close in serial number and markings are consistent. I need to dig out photos of the 1901 WMO that sold at auction years ago, will be interesting to compare acceptance.

1911 WMO Württembergische Gewehr 98

Hi All, I picked this one up recently. Cyrus and I had helped a guy on one of the Facebook groups identify this one a year or so ago. While talking to him I told him to let me know if he ever sold and I'd buy on the spot. A year later, I got a random message from the guy and he was ready. This...

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