Radfahrer Gew 98, Spandau 1914 SN 1420

mauser1908

mauser1908

Senior Member
Hi All,

Had a very unexpected opportunity to purchase a closet Radfahrer. Admittedly, I had resigned myself to the idea of never finding but fortunately I stumbled across one where the owner was amenable to selling it. Regardless, I’m ecstatic!

For those who are new, these were a specialized rifle for cyclists designed to replace the gew91. While full length, they bear a few unique features more commonly seen on karabineren. Notably, a turned down bolt and relieved stock to accommodate it, side mounted sling, and omission of the parade mounting points.

In the photos, note the assembly number/ internal SN on the magazine and floor plate. I’m curious if anyone has a Spandau ‘13 or ‘14 to compare with. This might help determine if these were made in a separate line of production or through some other method.

As for the rifle, it’s a straight bolt m/m and has a nasty shrapnel strike on the left side of the buttstock.

Enjoy!

Receiver 1420
Barrel 1420 (S 47)
Front Sight 20
Rear Sight Leaf: 20
Sight Slider 20
Ejector Box 20
Trigger Sear 20
Front Barrel Band 20
Rear Barrel Band 20
Trigger Guard 1420
Trigger Guard Screws 20, 20
Floor Plate 20
Follower 20
Stock 1420
Handguard 1420
Buttplate 1420
Bayonet Lug 20
Cleaning Rod: m/m
Bolt body: 885
Safety: 85
Cocking Piece: 85
Bolt shroud: 85
Firing Pin: 85
Extractor 85


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Sam, so glad you brought this one home. I about fell.out of my chair when you sent the pics..Good proof that you just never know what pops up on random social media!

Don't forget the under mounted rear band screw that threads into the cleaning rod!

I think the most incredible part of that it has a correct radfahrer bolt.
 
You ought to buy a lottery ticket with that kind of luck, that's an exceptional find! The condition on this one is fantastic too, and still having a correct radfahrer bolt while mismatched is the cherry on top. Congrats on picking up this one!
 
That is awesome! Congrats on having a fresh outa the wild find! Gorgeous example and has some extra character too boot!
 
Sam, what a real unicorn find!! This is one of only two ever put on this forum? Chris has the other one, and CB's is floating around somewhere... So only 3 or so documented here in the states??? Not sure whether you or Chris has more Gew magic to pull these finds LOL.

When you mentioned the bolt was a M/M, you neglected to say it was still a Radfahr bolt, which in and of itself is amazing to have!! No one could possible turn their nose up at this!!!

chrisftk said:
Don't forget the under mounted rear band screw that threads into the cleaning rod!
Click to expand...

Need to see this for sure!
 
Almost every week someone presents an amazing example of some type. Great forum.
Wonderful acquisition Sam. How many of those are known? I only remember a couple
 
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biggymu said:
Almost every week someone presents an amazing example of some. Great forum.
Wonderful acquisition Sam. How many of those are known? I only remember a couple
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Rhind64 here has the only matching one I have personally examined. Sam's the definitely the next best I've seen. I've got an assembled/mm one and know of a small handful of others. I'd say I know of fewer than 10 in any stage of completeness. It's substantially harder to find than a colonial model.
 
Incredible find, Sam. Great to see another Radfahrer in detail and add it to reference. Glad it all worked out, this rifle is finally where it was meant to be.

Hard to say at this point if there were part of Spandau's regular production line or were a separate set of numbers. The one complete matching (1293), Sam's bolt mismatch rifle (1420) and then bolt (885), and Chris's stock set (461) are the only four Rad serial numbers i have recorded. (The one in Storz does not show the serial number, and there is rumored to be another in Ohio but that's hearsay at best, no serial number. Maybe @Loewe has more recorded.) Until we find more no letter block Spandau 1914s it's impossible to say anything for sure. Lowest i have recorded right now is 3895, which is a depot Gew but has the original triggerguard and conclusively was not originally built as a rad.
 
cj556 said:
Amazing find congrats
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Thanks Marc, I appreciate it!

joryfreeburg said:
Man….. Sam. That is awesome. Congratulations on owning a Rare bird…. Really nice shape to boot
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Thanks Jory, I appreciate it!

chrisftk said:
Sam, so glad you brought this one home. I about fell.out of my chair when you sent the pics..Good proof that you just never know what pops up on random social media!

Don't forget the under mounted rear band screw that threads into the cleaning rod!

I think the most incredible part of that it has a correct radfahrer bolt.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris! We'll have to get all the Radfahreren side by side at some point. The bolt is puzzling to me. The only explanation I can think of is that it's been like that since 1918. These remind me of OG kar98 bolts, finding one in the wild is almost an impossibility.

AN-94 said:
You ought to buy a lottery ticket with that kind of luck, that's an exceptional find! The condition on this one is fantastic too, and still having a correct radfahrer bolt while mismatched is the cherry on top. Congrats on picking up this one!
Click to expand...

Thank you, I appreciate it!

Jdt said:
That is awesome! Congrats on having a fresh outa the wild find! Gorgeous example and has some extra character too boot!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I was pretty shocked when I found it.

OnlyMil said:
Sam, what a real unicorn find!! This is one of only two ever put on this forum? Chris has the other one, and CB's is floating around somewhere... So only 3 or so documented here in the states??? Not sure whether you or Chris has more Gew magic to pull these finds LOL.

When you mentioned the bolt was a M/M, you neglected to say it was still a Radfahr bolt, which in and of itself is amazing to have!! No one could possible turn their nose up at this!!!



Need to see this for sure!
Click to expand...

Thanks Alex, I appreciate it! Rhind64 has a matcher, https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/radfahrer-gewehr-98-1914-spandau.66368/ . I had the priveledge to examine this one as well and it's out of this world! The bolt was a two for one deal from a data standpoint.

37th Div Ohio said:
Stellar!!! Glad you were able to snag this! Such a rare bird!
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Thanks Matt, I appreciate it! I'll bring it along to the next get together.

biggymu said:
Almost every week someone presents an amazing example of some type. Great forum.
Wonderful acquisition Sam. How many of those are known? I only remember a couple
Click to expand...

Thank you, Rick! The past few years have been great. Lots of good stuff has turned up. I hope Paul weighs in on that, maybe a half dozen or so.

Cyrano4747 said:
Congrats, that's nuts that it fell into your lap like that.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I appreciate it!

feldmütze said:
Excellent Sam! Have you flipped that disk yet to see if it's unit marked?
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Thanks Mike! I appreciate it. I have, it was blank unfortunately.

PrayingMantis said:
Incredible find, Sam. Great to see another Radfahrer in detail and add it to reference. Glad it all worked out, this rifle is finally where it was meant to be.

Hard to say at this point if there were part of Spandau's regular production line or were a separate set of numbers. The one complete matching (1293), Sam's bolt mismatch rifle (1420) and then bolt (885), and Chris's stock set (461) are the only four Rad serial numbers i have recorded. (The one in Storz does not show the serial number, and there is rumored to be another in Ohio but that's hearsay at best, no serial number. Maybe @Loewe has more recorded.) Until we find more no letter block Spandau 1914s it's impossible to say anything for sure. Lowest i have recorded right now is 3895, which is a depot Gew but has the original triggerguard and conclusively was not originally built as a rad.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Cyrus! I appreciate it. I'm eager to hear Paul weigh in on it; If anyone has knowledge of overlapping serial numbers it's him. I'll be sure to bring it along the next time we all get together or you'll see it next time you're over.
 
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