1915 DWM Gew98

[willyj73]

I just received this rifle yesterday from a recent auction. At the time, the auction showed that a lower bid had beat my bid (obviously, some type of fluke in the system). The rifle was listed as all matching except for the front band, and it came with the sling. I'm not sure of the slings origin, but it seems to be a genuine military sling. I haven't taken the rifle apart yet, but all the visible serial numbers match, except for the front band and rear slider (I haven't checked the hand guard). Stock was sanded a long time ago. Would this have been done stateside? It also looks like somebody tried to fill in gouges in the wood on the left side near the wrist. The forend is damaged. Metal on the rifle is pitted, but there's no active rust on the parts I can see. Bore is in pretty good condition. Does it look like the parts were matched during a repair, or are they original matching? I'm not good at deciphering this.

 

[willyj73]

More pics

Some more photos

 

[willyj73]

More pics

More photos

 

[Loewe]

First i would ask you for a picture of the right receiver acceptance.

As said many times on this forum, finding a factory matching 1915 dated G98 is fairly difficult, this one is pretty worn and seen considerable use, but it is still a fine looking rifle. A stock sanding would not likely be period, there are no depot or collection center stamps, so it is not likely this went through any type of ordnance work. Perhaps a front line ordnance shop, but there is certainly no higher ordnance authority involved. The band and RS part could (and probably was) some field replacement, - it is incredibly common for small parts to be randomly replaced without concern for matching them up. The metal finish is reasonably close enough to be period, though there is a very good chance this was replaced when the front end stock repair was done (which is almost certainly done more recently, and probably when the stock sanding was done) and it is not period replaced. Either way it doesn't matter, it is a small matter and "eventually" someone will replace it with a "94" front band, - it is extremely common for collectors to "match up" small parts like this.

Try and get the right receiver picture and if you do disassemble the handguard, look at the area in front of the rear sight, it is VERY common for the barrel code to be located above the stock and under the handguard. This also would be very helpful to know.

 

[jetmek]

Nice score....like em with patina

 

[willyj73]

Loewe, I took the photos you asked for. The hand guard matches, but there is no barrel code. There was a strip of leather between the hand guard and retainer. Due to the pitting and wear, the characters aren't very crisp.

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[Loewe]

Thanks for the RR; the barrel code is often above the woodline, under the handguard, usually to the right side of the barrel above the stock. But it is also very common for it to be below (rarely under the RS sleeve or partially obscured by it). A small matter, but if you do ever disassemble the stock from the action, try and remember to jot the code down, or better take a photo of it.

 

[willyj73]

I'll take a photo and add it to the post when I disassemble the rifle. I have another rifle I need to clean/reassemble before I take this one apart.

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[Loewe]

Sure, thanks! I would like to record it, primarily because this range is where the BC moved from its normal position (between the receiver and RS) and to the position in front of the RS. This being an r-block places it right in the middle of this change and it would narrow the window when this occurred.

It could be in either position, between the receiver and RS or in front of the RS, - that it is not in the exposed area (in front of RS) where it "usually" is I would say the chance that it is in the "normal" position (between receiver-RS) is higher.

The barrel is "probably" a Bismarckhütte blank, but Böhler is possible. DWM had a very strong relationship with Böhler due to its P08 program, it seems that Böhler was a preferred supplier for P08 barrel blanks and this "seems" to carry over to the G98 program in ranges, especially in 1916, but Bismarckhütte seems to hold the percentage overall.

 

[Hesh]

A very nice example of a 1915 DWM, reminds me to take mine apart and get some detailed photos for review.

Mine has been covered with some sort of poly urethane finish, i suspect it was tru oil?

I am reluctant to try to remove it, the good news is it doesnt look to be sanded as all markings are intact.

Lowes comments are highly regarded, how did you rate the barrel condition?

 

[willyj73]

... how did you rate the barrel condition?

Thanks. To me, the bore looked pretty good. I haven't ran a patch through it, but with the initial view, the bore looks better than the outside of the rifle.

 

[Hesh]

Thats good news i use bore foam to clean barrels but i am sure someone will chime in with other solutions.

I am lucky the bore on mine is pristine, the outside is showing its age with oxidization but no rust.

The only item thats doesnt share the same serial or last 2 digits is the cleaning rod.

Close but no cigar!!!

 

[willyj73]

Loewe,

I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the barrel information. The front band is not moving. I put some Kroil on it to try to get it to break free, but it hasn't budged. I'm thinking that some adhesive may have gotten on the band when the repair was done to the forend--I'm not sure. I'll let it be for the night and see if the Kroil loosens it up overnight. I just don't want to do any more damage to the forend.

 

[Loewe]

Hey, no problem, just if you do is fine. They can have many things going on that hamper a safe disassemble, dried varnish to just dried grease and grime, often the fit can vary enough to make things tight. Generally gentle tapping (with spring depressed) is usually enough but never you mind if it won't budge.

I figured you had forgotten anyway...

I would think this BC is in the normal position, due to it not being typical of the range with it above the stock (though it could have been under the RS or below the stock. Eventually, another rifle in this range will come along and narrow the question.