Gewehr 98 DWM 1904 399

Most recent find, an early 1904 DWM marked to the 122nd Reserve Infantry. There have been a couple other ‘04 DWMs documented that are marked to Wurttemberg regiments, including 2187, it’s interesting seeing a trend develop. This one is quite early, 399, and features typical early DWM acceptance throughout, mostly c/U and c/T. The stock has unfortunately been messed with, there are deep scratches from steel wool or a wire brush, however the metal is untouched. I suspect it was a wall hanger, perhaps in a VFW or American Legion hall, because the metal has developed a dark toning that comes from smoke.
The bolt is interesting. It has been depot renumbered. There is a lined out 2 above the original number. Below is 389. I think there is a chance it is a legit depot mistake, since the bolt has obviously been with the rifle for a long time.

DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND MUNITIONSFABRIKEN. BERLIN. 1904
Receiver 399 c/T c/U c/U
Barrel 399 c/U c/U c/U BO. 54 v. f.
Front Sight 99 c/U
Rear Sight Leaf 99 c/U?
Sight Slider 99 c/U
Sight Slider Tabs 99, 74
Ejector Box 99 c/U
Ejector Box Plate c/U
Ejector Box Stop c/U
Trigger Sear 99 c/U
Trigger c/U
Front Barrel band 99 c/U
Rear Barrel band 99 c/U
Rear Barrel Band Loop c/U?
Trigger Guard 399 c/U c/U
Front Trigger Guard Screw 99 c/U
Rear Trigger Guard Screw 99 c/U
Floor Plate 99 c/U
Follower 99 c/U
Follower Spring c/U
Stock 388 c/FW c/U c/T
Stock Disc 122.R.6.134. c/T
Recoil Lug c/T
Sling Attachment c/U
Stock Wrist c/T
Stock Keel c/T
Handguard c/
Buttplate 399 6 R c/T
Bayonet Lug 99 c/U
Cleaning Rod 11
Bolt Body 1187 2 389
Extractor 87
Safety 87
Cocking Piece 87
Bolt Sleeve 87
Firing Pin 87 (clipped)

Barrel and sights.

Magazine assembly, screw, and bands.

Stock metal.

Stock.

And finally the bolt.

Nice one Cyrus. We are really confirming the XIII Armee Korps got an allotment from DWM in 1904. Looks like this was the year that the reserves were armed.. all the examples I can recall are 122nd or 123rd reserve. My 1902 WMO is 122nd infantry, so definitely allotted the regulars first. The earlier ones came from Mauser but the change in 04 may have been due to the fact that Mauser would have had the 1903 Ottoman and other contracts going on at the time. Just a flat guess.

It's a great rifle on its own merits. I do think it's plausible it was a depot screw up. The clincher in my opinion is how close the patina matches they've clearly been together very long time.