Gew98M help

[Noxswg]

Hi guys, I am looking for some input on a gew98m that I am interested in. My concerns are if the serial numbers are from a legit German rework or if someone scrubbed and renumbered it post war. Second concern is the fire proofs on the receiver and barrel. I have never seen fire proofs of this type on a gew 98m rifle. I was wondering if they are legit from a rework or if someone added them.

 

[mrfarb]

Is there an mg10 marking on the wrist or keel? Looks like Magdeburg type firing proof looking at it in my phone.

 

[Loewe]

You will have to do more photo's to tell exactly what the situation is, the rifle (barreled-receiver) is probably an interwar build from a leftover receiver, - whether the rest is authentic or not you would have to show it better. Somethings look suspicious to me, but the pictures aren't very good or of the right areas.

Up to you of course, but no one can tell you much with these pictures alone.

 

[Noxswg]

I asked the seller for some pictures of the barrel lot code and some close ups of the serial numbers on the bolt, tg, fp. What other area's do you guys suggest I request additional photo's of?

 

[Loewe]

A barrel code would be important, no question, but also the right receiver, - however the real issue is the stock, clear pictures of the markings on the stock are critical, - to be honest, i do not like the serialing on any of the components, how the stock is marked would make or break the rifle. My first impression is that it has been cobbled together (salvaged parts) and serialed to match the b/r.

Typically interwar builds or upgrades are not marked (serialed) this way, but it could be ok for a wartime job, but I doubt this too (they are far more treacherous to evaluate, many variables). My first look at the pictures gave me a poor impression of the authenticity, I didn't even save the pictures. Unless he can do much better pictures, my advice would be not to buy the rifle.

 

[Noxswg]

A barrel code would be important, no question, but also the right receiver, - however the real issue is the stock, clear pictures of the markings on the stock are critical, - to be honest, i do not like the serialing on any of the components, how the stock is marked would make or break the rifle. My first impression is that it has been cobbled together (salvaged parts) and serialed to match the b/r.

Typically interwar builds or upgrades are not marked (serialed) this way, but it could be ok for a wartime job, but I doubt this too (they are far more treacherous to evaluate, many variables). My first look at the pictures gave me a poor impression of the authenticity, I didn't even save the pictures. Unless he can do much better pictures, my advice would be not to buy the rifle.

Thank you for the feedback. That was my first impression as well. My first impression was that the serials on everything except the barreled receiver looked like someone did a poor job of carving them into the metal.

 

[Noxswg]

Well the seller sent me some additional pictures of the action (still waiting on more of the stock). Looks like the action has a 1938 dated barrel built on a left over receiver from what I can gather. Still hoping some additional pictures of the stock will help determine if it went through some type of depot during the war to explain the serial #'s on the other parts or if bubba did it post war. I think at this point I am using this as a study of what to look for in the future unless you guys think this has a potential of being legit.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2nujnho3gsdqc78/AADpR0H9UZgOZpX229zhUKvHa#lh:null-Gew98_Modified_2.JPG

 

[Loewe]

Well I can't view them, but the b/r is less a concern as it is probably ok, wartime also, which is the only reason I have any lingering "hope" for the rifle being authentic.

Your using this as a study is probably best, it certainly is safer than taking a pot shot on this rifle.

 

[Noxswg]

Well I can't view them, but the b/r is less a concern as it is probably ok, wartime also, which is the only reason I have any lingering "hope" for the rifle being authentic.

Your using this as a study is probably best, it certainly is safer than taking a pot shot on this rifle.

Here you go. I am still waiting on pictures of the stock, but like you said I'm looking at this for study at this point.

 

[Loewe]

It's a Pieper (Belgian) receiver, these are almost always interwar or nazi era builds, only handfuls have been identified assembled during the war (WWI). The barreled receiver is good imo, probably early war, but only the stock is likely to offer clues to the whom or when, assuming it is authentic.