1906 WMO war bond rifle

[Gew 98]

Hi all,

I thought this was a interesting rifle to share so I thought would! I bought this off of gunboards of all places, what really caught my eye is it is unit marked to the 73rd infantry regiment. It looks like they participated in the battle of the frontiers and the 1st battle of the Marne. It's been neglected for some time, it has some battle damage to the rear sight and to the side of the receiver where the bolt release is located. Someone also decided to make it their high school wood shop experiment and did a horrific job of sanding especially around the comb and wrist. It's like they used a belt sander then stopped? Not sure but the cartouches are still visible which is nice. Currently the action screws and seized so I can't take it apart yet I'm going to let them soak in kroil for a few days and see what happens.

 

[Gew 98]

Pics 2

 

[chrisftk]

Thanks for posting Nathan-- it's definitely a bond rifle. The unit mark is a nice plus too; it's actually the 73rd Reserve infantry regiment. (The fancy "R" denotes reserve infantry. ) The 73rd reserve was part of the 19th reserve division and saw extensive service on the western front, including Verdun and other major battles. You can read more from the allied intelligence reports by searching here for "73 Res"

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/55620/55620-h/55620-h.htm

I really like the damage on the rear sight. I've seen others with similar damage and I'm sure it ties in with the high incidence of replaced rear sight leaves on guns with depot work. It just seems to be a vulnerability.

The harsh sanding is a shame, but at least they didn't obliterate the markings.

Overall a nice pickup. Bond rifles are a neat sub area and something it's a good idea to have an example of. Congrats!

 

[biggymu]

Interesting little “pumpkin” proof on the barrel.
Very cool rifle!

 

[chrisftk]

Interesting little “pumpkin” proof on the barrel.
Very cool rifle!

That's a crown indicating counterboring. You are right though... Does look like a pumpkin!

 

[Gew 98]

Thanks for posting Nathan-- it's definitely a bond rifle. The unit mark is a nice plus too; it's actually the 73rd Reserve infantry regiment. (The fancy "R" denotes reserve infantry. ) The 73rd reserve was part of the 19th reserve division and saw extensive service on the western front, including Verdun and other major battles. You can read more from the allied intelligence reports by searching here for "73 Res"

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/55620/55620-h/55620-h.htm

I really like the damage on the rear sight. I've seen others with similar damage and I'm sure it ties in with the high incidence of replaced rear sight leaves on guns with depot work. It just seems to be a vulnerability.

The harsh sanding is a shame, but at least they didn't obliterate the markings.

Overall a nice pickup. Bond rifles are a neat sub area and something it's a good idea to have an example of. Congrats!

Thank you for the correction Chris! I thought it would be a good pickup as this is my first gew 98 that is unit marked! I'll try to disassemble a little further and get some more photos. The sanding is a definite downside just a couple spots are sanded hard with "sharp edges" then others are just dusted with some type of sandpaper kinda odd but who knows. The guy at the gunstore wondered if I was going to part it out, I told him no and explained what a bond rifle and he still looked concerned lol. I always like the beat up abused rifles. Interesting enough when you move the gun back and forth you can hear debris moving around inside the barrel I wonder if part of the plug broke off somehow.

 

[jbc98k]

Interesting little “pumpkin” proof on the barrel.
Very cool rifle!

Isn't that a Hessian marking? Pumpkin deaths head emblem.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Very nice, Nathan! Love the unit mark. Thanks for taking photos, i added it to the reference.

 

[Gew 98]

Very nice, Nathan! Love the unit mark. Thanks for taking photos, i added it to the reference.

Thank you! I'm glad you responded to the thread because it reminded me that I forgot to provide a update. I was able to get both bands off after applying some Kroil. The action screws are a different story though. The rear one came out after some soaking, but the front one is marred from someone previously who took it apart then put way too much torque on it. So it's pretty stuck. Which was a bummer I wanted to take a peek underneath. If someone might have some other idea how to get it out with out getting crazy please let me know, I'd rather not damage it!

 

[PatickD]

Thank you! I'm glad you responded to the thread because it reminded me that I forgot to provide a update. I was able to get both bands off after applying some Kroil. The action screws are a different story though. The rear one came out after some soaking, but the front one is marred from someone previously who took it apart then put way too much torque on it. So it's pretty stuck. Which was a bummer I wanted to take a peek underneath. If someone might have some other idea how to get it out with out getting crazy please let me know, I'd rather not damage it!

I’ve used kroil with freezing the screw. Sticking the entire action in a freezer. Has worked well for me.

Another thing I’ve read, that I haven’t personally tried. Is using a soldering iron. Heating up the screw.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Heating the screw is what a lot of people recommend, the metal will expand and bust the rust loose. Kroil and an impacting screwdriver is also an option, but you have to be very careful not to damage anything.

 

[chrisftk]

I’ve used kroil with freezing the screw. Sticking the entire action in a freezer. Has worked well for me.

Another thing I’ve read, that I haven’t personally tried. Is using a soldering iron. Heating up the screw.

Heating the screw is what a lot of people recommend, the metal will expand and bust the rust loose. Kroil and an impacting screwdriver is also an option, but you have to be very careful not to damage anything.

And for the love of God, buy a nice screwdriver set and use a bit that fits the contours of the screwhead perfectly.

 

[k98dave]

I had read someplace these rifles had plugs in the muzzle and also in the chamber throat. Curious if they are welded, brazed, or just force fitted?

 

[Gew 98]

Thank you guys for the insight! Maybe this weekend I'll give it an extra soak in Kroil and try the methods you guys suggested. Hopefully then it'll come apart. I'll keep you guys updated, this rifle definitely needs a good cleaning!

 

[luftpirate]

Action screws, rotating screw driver punch with rifle firmly supported, using proper fitting bit from gunsmith set.

 

[RampantLion]

Great Rifle. I really like this one.