Gewehr 98m aka Gewehr 98 Transition Model Pictures (PIC HEAVY)

[swatmaster68]

I figured some forum members would enjoy seeing this rifle as pictures of matching examples don't show up often on this forum. I also feel like these rifles don't get much love from K98K collectors even though this is the starting point of Nazi re-armament. For those who are unaware, a large number of Gewehr 98s were hidden away after the end of World War I in violation of the Germans requirement to disarm. In 1934 after the Nazi seizure of power, a program of re-armament was initiated. During this program, surplus Gewehr 98s were modified into two variants, refereed to among collectors as the Gewehr 98M and the K98b. This rifle is an example of the Gewehr 98M. The main differences between this and the standard Gewehr 98 is the addition of grasping grooves to the stock, the addition of a bolt take down disc in the stock, a replaced and wider rear barrel band (with a modified barrel band spring, and the replacement of the roller coaster rear sights to a K98k style of rear sight. The rear sight bears the code S/42G which indicates the rear sight was secretly manufactured by Mauser. It also indicates a re-work date of 1935. The rear barrel band also has a 1935 stamp on it. This rifle does not have the "1920" Reichswehr stamp, indicating it was one of the secret rifles hidden away after World War I. It is also not marked for Spanish use, as these sometimes were given to Spain. An interesting note of these rifles is that many went to various Units in the SS, most notable the SS Leibstandarte, Adolf Hitler personal bodyguard unit In almost any picture of the Leibstandarte in their infamous black uniforms, they are armed with Gewehr 98Ms. This particular rifles has all matching numbers, and no import mark. It appears as though the bolt body, extractor, and bolt shroud were all re-numbered to the rifle during its secret re-work. Otherwise, it retains all of its original parts, and is in decent condition. I've included pictures of all of the numbered parts on this rifle as well as pictures of them in use.

 

[swatmaster68]

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[swatmaster68]

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[swatmaster68]

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[swatmaster68]

Final Pics of Rifle

 

[swatmaster68]

The Gewehr 98M In Action

 

[yoebuff]

Super nice rifle ! I can't say I have seen one all matched to this degree before. Congrats on a rare rifle.

 

[plymouthmauser]

Very nice....looking for one myself.
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[runner]

Nice rifle but your description contains some often repeated miss information. The grasping grooves and bolt takedown washer on your rifle are not a result of its modification post WWl. Both these features were introduced during WWl and were standard on Danzig production when your rifle was manufactured. (See the picture references at the top of this forum) The “G” date on the rear sight assembly indicates when that part was made, not when the rifle was modified. The 98b, though similar to the modified Gew98s, were new production and not modified Gew.98s.

 

[swatmaster68]

Nice rifle but your description contains some often repeated miss information. The grasping grooves and bolt takedown washer on your rifle are not a result of its modification post WWl. Both these features were introduced during WWl and were standard on Danzig production when your rifle was manufactured. (See the picture references at the top of this forum) The “G” date on the rear sight assembly indicates when that part was made, not when the rifle was modified. The 98b, though similar to the modified Gew98s, were new production and not modified Gew.98s.

Thanks for the correction. Very interesting and I had never heard that before. Thanks again.

 

[yoebuff]

I think its safe to say that this gun was modified in 1935 during the 34/35 program. not only does it contain the S/42G stamp for the date of the manufacture of the site but it also contains the Simpson front barrel band dated 1935. along with inspector marks of K155. These inspector marks predate the use of waffenamts. The extra dating of the rear sights ("K" inspection)will indicate when the work was done. Its known that in the case of the 34/35 refurbs, all the rifles were ("meticulously") done on a "one on one" basis...all the matching parts were kept together...there was no "mass dismantling". While its true that Mauser made parts to be sent to depots to rework guns, this gun doesn't bear any other depot stamp.

 

[RyanE]

Very nice 98M.

Rear band is Spandau (SuWw) made not Simson. And the K does not indicate when the rework was done.

 

[Gerst]

Once I repair the stock the USPS broke in two, my 98m will be completed. It is in a Brazilian stock now, a temporary measure.

 

[Rutche]

I'm wishing you the best of luck with that stock Gerst, truly depressing sight to see, but i think it is possible.

 

[swatmaster68]

Once I repair the stock the USPS broke in two, my 98m will be completed. It is in a Brazilian stock now, a temporary measure.

Good luck. Having guns shipped always causes me anxiety for that exact reason. Can’t wait to see the finished product

 

[Gerst]

Good luck. Having guns shipped always causes me anxiety for that exact reason. Can’t wait to see the finished product

I have received two rifles in well-packed boxes with no issues - an 1871 and a 98b. First by UPS, second by USPS. The stock should have been a no-brainer. The 98b was out of the stock but in both cases, the metal must have added stability. Of course an idiot with a forklift or a moron using the box as a step-stool always trumps careful packing!

I turned the claim in on line on the 21st. So far.............silence. These days expecting fast service from a governmental entity is like expecting a good return on a savings account

 

[swatmaster68]

I have received two rifles in well-packed boxes with no issues - an 1871 and a 98b. First by UPS, second by USPS. The stock should have been a no-brainer. The 98b was out of the stock but in both cases, the metal must have added stability. Of course an idiot with a forklift or a moron using the box as a step-stool always trumps careful packing!

I turned the claim in on line on the 21st. So far.............silence. These days expecting fast service from a governmental entity is like expecting a good return on a savings account

Absolutely terrible. I feel for you

 

[Loewe]

A fine example, a picture of the barrel code would tell for sure, but it appears to be the factory barrel (not re-barreled- which is rather rare); the bolt body, hard to say with the whiteout in the suffix, but possibly factory also (which would be nearly unique for a rearmament refurb... the underside acceptance would tell for sure, but rarely do suffixes get applied in this manner during 1935-1939(***), - hopefully it is the original bolt, might be the first I have seen if so)

As for the OP outline, it has a significant number of flaws, Hitler gave Spain (Franco) nothing for free, Spain paid dearly for the aid throughout the war. Mussolini was the sucker who wrote off most of the debts... The rearmament phase was 1934-1939, trickling into 1940 probably, this rifle can't be dated to a year, but probably after 1935 though. The lacking of a property mark (1920) and its condition lends weight to the probability this was a hidden in Eastern Germany for the paramilitary groups working with the Reichsheer, this was not a secret to the German government or the Entente, - or the actual enemy, the Prussian state authorities who did more to hamper this activity than the French...in 1926 Heye detailed the activities to the German government with exacting thoroughness, - rifles were not the problem in 1926, it was the lack of ammo, as I recall enough for two days of combat); 1920 means it was government property in 1920, it means the opposite of stated, it means it was in official government inventories and as such the IAMCC had no direct or oversight role (they didn't actually count, inventory or mark rifles), - the IAMCC role is greatly exaggerated as to enforcement, they were a small force that primarily confirmed compliance which in all cases were applied by German counterparts that worked with the IAMCC. They had no real authority but supervision of compliance and reporting to their masters who had the power to make problems for the German central government (fines, lengthen the occupation of the Rhineland, etc..) The Germans provided police for their protection and the German people - especially workers whose jobs they threatened - were the ones who often rioted and sometimes injured the inspectors. In several cases English and French Officers working for the IAMCC only survived due to German Officer counterparts shielding them... they never did anything alone, always German Officers accompanied them. Basically they were there to confirm compliance and to perform tattletale reports, some beyond trivial. The details of the property mark is in the interwar sub-forum.

*** Germany was conducting rearmament before 1933 and Hitler, matter of fact Hitler's first rearmament funding came from his predecessor, Hitler only expanded it radically the following years, which was probably going to occur in less aggressive terms under another Chancellor. Hitler only accelerated what was underway. Germany was quite done with being humiliated and dictated too, especially as the west had been exposed for the paper tiger it really was. Hitler's mistake was not continuing the Seeckt alignment with Russia, then as now the west is full of pussies that are driving the Occidental World to the edge of extinction, if Germans today had an ounce of sense they would jettison the EU, NATO and the west in its entirety and form a close alliance with Russia (and all of Eastern Europe, the only sane Europeans are the Poles & Hungarians, - Germany's best interest has always laid with close ties to Russia, as FtG, Bismarck and Seeckt rightly understood.

BTW, this rifle was formerly in the Craig Brown collection.