1916 DWM

[mauser1908]

Oddly enough, a solid DWM has been a challenge for me. Last week I ended up with this 1916 DWM. All around its a common rifle but for a mid-war rifle it's in pretty nice shape, it's matching less the small bolt parts, handguard, rear sight, and front barrel band. One of the most interesting parts with this one is the wartime stock repair and light sanding associated with it. My thought it was likely done at Köln along with the rest of the mismatched parts. All in all, a nice dufflecut bring back. Paul, this one seems to have assembly numbers on the barrel, receiver, magazine, and floorplate. The magazine assembly number is on the left side of the trigger guard, not sure if that's atypical or not, I've seen a few 1915-16 DWMs in this format. In addition, the stock is not internally numbered.

 

[mauser1908]

 

[mauser1908]

 

[Loewe]

Sam, Very nice, DWM (Loewe) is not surprising my favorite maker, while large production numbers they are not all that easy to find nice and original (true with most of the makers, there are not byf's, bcd's or dot's in Imperial variations, maybe Erfurt 1916-1917 98a can compare to the large numbers of these latter war 98k makers).

Internal serialing of stocks is not seen regularly until 1917, there are cases in late 1916 (t-block) with internal serialing but prior to this several confirmed cases of no internal serialed are confirmed. I am not sure when this internal serialing started or ended, but it is probable that late 1916 to early 1917 is the range this is possible, - people rarely photograph nothing (blank parts) but it is pretty sure by 1917 serialing had begun in many cases...

Anyway, DWM was the finest maker in my view, though WMO was surely comparable, and Amberg the best of the arsenals, - morso, with this phenomenal quality DWM and WMO challenged Erfurt and Danzig in numbers also. So, if I had it to do over I would have done it differently (rare is the man to not have that sentiment...) and specialized in DWM and WMO, not wasting time with 98k so much. (further WMO and DWM featured the stock variations, maple and DWM with two peice stocks)

** I think this is a fine example!

 

[37th Div Ohio]

Sam, great pick up! I feel you on nice ones being difficult to find!

 

[chrisftk]

Excellent pick-up Sam! Glad you snagged it.

 

[Loewe]

While trending this rifle (I had it already, probably Cyrus? Not sure, but a good job so someone familiar); I did notice the rather scarcity of DWM/17's, especially in upper grades. DWM had strong production in 1916, but a serious drop off in 1917, clearly earlier than thought based upon stock features. Makes me more curious over the DWM/18's known...

 

[mauser1908]

Sam, Very nice, DWM (Loewe) is not surprising my favorite maker, while large production numbers they are not all that easy to find nice and original (true with most of the makers, there are not byf's, bcd's or dot's in Imperial variations, maybe Erfurt 1916-1917 98a can compare to the large numbers of these latter war 98k makers).

Internal serialing of stocks is not seen regularly until 1917, there are cases in late 1916 (t-block) with internal serialing but prior to this several confirmed cases of no internal serialed are confirmed. I am not sure when this internal serialing started or ended, but it is probable that late 1916 to early 1917 is the range this is possible, - people rarely photograph nothing (blank parts) but it is pretty sure by 1917 serialing had begun in many cases...

Anyway, DWM was the finest maker in my view, though WMO was surely comparable, and Amberg the best of the arsenals, - morso, with this phenomenal quality DWM and WMO challenged Erfurt and Danzig in numbers also. So, if I had it to do over I would have done it differently (rare is the man to not have that sentiment...) and specialized in DWM and WMO, not wasting time with 98k so much. (further WMO and DWM featured the stock variations, maple and DWM with two peice stocks)

** I think this is a fine example!

Thanks for the great info as always Paul! Sorry for the late reply, I’ve been swamped as of late. I agree, I’m always amazed at the standards they were able to maintain even during the war. Below the woodline really shows the workmanship.

Sam, great pick up! I feel you on nice ones being difficult to find!

Thanks Matt! Very happy with it.

Excellent pick-up Sam! Glad you snagged it.

Thanks Chris, I appreciate it!

 

[Loewe]

You had to do good work or have connections to stay in a factory! Hunger strikes in early 1917 would hit Berlin hard (as elsewhere!) and maybe quality declined after, not that itr shows much, but we do not know how long into 1917 DWM continued, my guess is not much beyond halfway, but this is probably easy to discover between Storz and the DWM book... stock features (patterns) and relative low production in 1917 (compared to 1916) suggest an early slowdown and stop of rifle production (though 1918's are known???)