Hi all,
Brought this one home today. I believe it flew below the radar on Gunbroker given the relatively low price it went for.(and this is a pretty esoteric model, so some didn't realize what it was)
There is not a lot written about these, but from what I know; the genesis of these rifles was a contract with the Qing Empire. The initial order was placed for rifles chambered in a proprietary 6.8mm Chinese round. Some were delivered, but after the 1912 revolution, the Republic of China continued interest in the rifle, but instead geared up for domestic production and did not pay Mauser for the remainder of the contract rifles. Hence, they remained in inventory until later in 1914.
According to Storz, approximately 12,000 chinese model rifles were sitting in Mauser's inventory in 1914 when war broke out. The German military was in the midst of a severe weapon shortage upon mobilization and were looking for anything they could get. The Chinese rifles were provided to the Prussian military, who contracted Oskar Will of Venus Waffenwerke, a specialist in rifle conversions (he also was responsible for the 88/14 rifles) Will converted the rifles to 8x57 S Patrone and the rifles went to the newly raised 4 1/2 Reserve corps. (I have heard that these went to Württemberg units, but I cannot find any documentation to that effect, so I'm going with Storz assertion that they went to Prussian units.)These German rifles are quite rare in any condition
(Side note: There were another 10,000 Paraguayan rifles at Mauser as well, but they used a shorter action not conducive to German use. These were sent to the Ottomans)
The rifle itself is rough, but the stock maintains good markings. Proofing is commercial. The front band is a completely different style, as is the bayonet lug. The handguard covers the rear sight similar to other export models. The rear sight is staked at 400 meters (modified by the Germans)
The barrel, receiver, trigger guard, ejector and rear band match. The stock appears to match, but the action screws are frozen, so I have not confirmed.
The floorplate, handguard and bolt do not match. (The bolt is a Gew98 one; The factory bolt on these is a teardrop style bolt similar to the Ottoman 1903, but full length) The rest of parts are unnumbered.
The stock has an unknown acceptance cartouche (Mauser in-house stamping?)and Mauser Banner/Powder keg on the right stock. There is also a Mauser "MW" stamp and imperial crown at the wrist. There are keel stamps but they are illegible.
There is minimal written about how the rifle performed, but some anecdotal evidence mentions an issue with the firing pin spring and some grumbling in the ranks that they did not receive "real" Gew98s.
In any case I'm happy I was able to find one. Interesting side note and a rare substitute model.
Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
Brought this one home today. I believe it flew below the radar on Gunbroker given the relatively low price it went for.(and this is a pretty esoteric model, so some didn't realize what it was)
There is not a lot written about these, but from what I know; the genesis of these rifles was a contract with the Qing Empire. The initial order was placed for rifles chambered in a proprietary 6.8mm Chinese round. Some were delivered, but after the 1912 revolution, the Republic of China continued interest in the rifle, but instead geared up for domestic production and did not pay Mauser for the remainder of the contract rifles. Hence, they remained in inventory until later in 1914.
According to Storz, approximately 12,000 chinese model rifles were sitting in Mauser's inventory in 1914 when war broke out. The German military was in the midst of a severe weapon shortage upon mobilization and were looking for anything they could get. The Chinese rifles were provided to the Prussian military, who contracted Oskar Will of Venus Waffenwerke, a specialist in rifle conversions (he also was responsible for the 88/14 rifles) Will converted the rifles to 8x57 S Patrone and the rifles went to the newly raised 4 1/2 Reserve corps. (I have heard that these went to Württemberg units, but I cannot find any documentation to that effect, so I'm going with Storz assertion that they went to Prussian units.)These German rifles are quite rare in any condition
(Side note: There were another 10,000 Paraguayan rifles at Mauser as well, but they used a shorter action not conducive to German use. These were sent to the Ottomans)
The rifle itself is rough, but the stock maintains good markings. Proofing is commercial. The front band is a completely different style, as is the bayonet lug. The handguard covers the rear sight similar to other export models. The rear sight is staked at 400 meters (modified by the Germans)
The barrel, receiver, trigger guard, ejector and rear band match. The stock appears to match, but the action screws are frozen, so I have not confirmed.
The floorplate, handguard and bolt do not match. (The bolt is a Gew98 one; The factory bolt on these is a teardrop style bolt similar to the Ottoman 1903, but full length) The rest of parts are unnumbered.
The stock has an unknown acceptance cartouche (Mauser in-house stamping?)and Mauser Banner/Powder keg on the right stock. There is also a Mauser "MW" stamp and imperial crown at the wrist. There are keel stamps but they are illegible.
There is minimal written about how the rifle performed, but some anecdotal evidence mentions an issue with the firing pin spring and some grumbling in the ranks that they did not receive "real" Gew98s.
In any case I'm happy I was able to find one. Interesting side note and a rare substitute model.
Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
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