1916 Spandau Sterngewehr 4825 "4"

[chrisftk]

Here's another one for documentation purposes- a 4-suffix 1916 Spandau sterngewehr (note the actual Spandau firing proof-- there are a number of Erfurt or Dresden sterngewhere that are made with Spandau marked receivers, but have the Thuringian eagle or Saxon eagle respectively as a firing proof). These don't seem to be as common as Erfurt sterngewehre, particuarly bolt and stock matchers- though this is the third I've owned- probably the nicest condition-wise of the three (the others being a straight bolt mm and a 98m)

The stock and metal present well, with the only major distractions being that the mag assembly, bands, rod and handguard don't match (the tg, follower, screws and floorplate match themselves though). The bands are straight mm and the handguard is unmarked except for a circle R inside of it. I can vaguely remember seeing this marking before on other subcontracted parts, but no way to tell if it's low level depot or a later replacement though. The handguard finish matches the stock rather well.

Anyway-- here's the data:

Receiver 4825 4
Barrel 4825 4 (KR319 A Sa)
Front Sight 25
Rear Sight Leaf 25
Sight Slider 25
Ejector Box 25
Trigger Sear 25
Front Barrel Band 52
Rear Barrel Band 38
Trigger Guard 7022
Trigger Guard Screws 22, 22
Floor Plate 22
Follower 22
Stock 4825
Handguard unnumbered
Buttplate corroded, but assumed matching
Bayonet Lug 25
Cleaning Rod 91
Bolt Body 4825 4
Extractor 25
Safety 25
Cocking Piece 25
Bolt Sleeve 25
Firing Pin 25

 

[chrisftk]

Photos ctd...

 

[PrayingMantis]

This is a great Spandau stern, a real looker and its excellent to have the data on the matching bolt. That handguard stamp sure does look like a subcontractor stamp, or is at least consistent with others observed.

 

[chrisftk]

This is a great Spandau stern, a real looker and its excellent to have the data on the matching bolt. That handguard stamp sure does look like a subcontractor stamp, or is at least consistent with others observed.

Thanks Cyrus, the mm bottom metal is a shame, but the matching bolt and the crisp stock are more than fair offsets.

 

[joryfreeburg]

That stock has a great look to it. Nice rifle Chris!

 

[chrisftk]

That stock has a great look to it. Nice rifle Chris!

Thanks Jory, always nice when they have crisp markings.

 

[OnlyMil]

I'm always a sucker for a pretty stock and a nice combo of bright & blue finish. Were magazine followers normally left in the white? I see this one is blued. Was it a subcontractor thing or did it change during production at some point, kinda like really late 1918 Amberg receivers? I know this might be tricky given the serial number differences, but first time I've seen a blued magazine follower.

 

[chrisftk]

I'm always a sucker for a pretty stock and a nice combo of bright & blue finish. Were magazine followers normally left in the white? I see this one is blued. Was it a subcontractor thing or did it change during production at some point, kinda like really late 1918 Amberg receivers? I know this might be tricky given the serial number differences, but first time I've seen a blued magazine follower.

Thanks Alex... good eye! No, the mag followers weren't blued on any wartime rifles. My guess is the follower was pulled off a 98m by a collector maybe the original was missing. Who knows?