Matched 1917 Oberspree/Kornbusch

[plymouthmauser]

Today I was with my WW2 unit out in western Mass working on our newly acquired 1941 Ford 2-ton truck for our SS unit impression. I learned earlier that Ford had a plant In Cologne, and it actually supplied 1/3 of all the trucks used by the Wehrmacht. We were re-configuring the bed today. Needs a few things, but not much.

The truck, though is not the reason for the post. In the unit member’s garage is a large wooden gun cabinet; and I saw this peeking out - a matched 1917 Oberspree/Kornbusch Gew98.

In an external examination all parts matched; 2167 l, I think. Bolt, bands, and stock. Obviously I didn't take it down for the handguard, trigger assembly, barrel code, etc. Cleaning rod was un-numbered. This is the rarest of all Gew98s, isn't it? Bore is mirror bright. Just missing the front swivel.

He told me he paid $100 for it years and years ago. What can I tell him its worth today?


Sweet.

t

Wouldn’t mind the truck either.

 

[mauser1908]

Scarce maker for sure, 1917 was the most common year for WOK if I remember correctly, Paul would know for sure. Generally, most of the scarce makers are most rare in 1915 getting more common through 1917, with production dropping off drastically in 1918. That aside, it's a wonderful untouched WOK 1917, it has a few issues the QDS base has been replaced, and the band is missing the sling loop but those are very very minor issues. I would have zero compunctions about paying $1500-1600 for it. I may be a tad high, but WOK has alluded me for some time.

 

[plymouthmauser]

QDS? Sight base?

t

 

[mauser1908]

QDS? Sight base?

t

The rear mount for the sling.

 

[Loewe]

While 1917 was their strongest year, they are anything but common, - more importantly it is probably the most desirable war time maker. They are rather rare in this rifles condition, the vast majority this late are really screwed up or at best Republican era reworks... which are also usually screwed up. This rifle at auction would go $2000 or more is my guess, naturally a great deal would depend upon photographs and reassuring potential buyers it is righteous, which it looks like so far.

WOK sometimes can seem more common than they are, they continued from 1917 through 1918 without rolling serialing over, so it gives the impression Oberspree made a buttload of rifles in 1918, this was not the case...this is actually a VERY late 1917, they piddled through the n-block but i think some of these are 1918 production (the name changed in 1918 so that makes 1917's seem more common also, - some were probably made in 1918 with 1917 receivers)

Interestingly, Oberspree is also well known to have made G98's into 1919, real rifles, not just receivers, there are a couple known, one very original. Most 1919's are little more than receivers i think.

Anyway, I really doubt your friend would have much trouble moving it for $2000, it has a couple pproblems but full matcher? This would sell easy.

 

[mauser1908]

While 1917 was their strongest year, they are anything but common, - more importantly it is probably the most desirable war time maker. They are rather rare in this rifles condition, the vast majority this late are really screwed up or at best Republican era reworks... which are also usually screwed up. This rifle at auction would go $2000 or more is my guess, naturally a great deal would depend upon photographs and reassuring potential buyers it is righteous, which it looks like so far.

WOK sometimes can seem more common than they are, they continued from 1917 through 1918 without rolling serialing over, so it gives the impression Oberspree made a buttload of rifles in 1918, this was not the case...this is actually a VERY late 1917, they piddled through the n-block but i think some of these are 1918 production (the name changed in 1918 so that makes 1917's seem more common also, - some were probably made in 1918 with 1917 receivers)

Interestingly, Oberspree is also well known to have made G98's into 1919, real rifles, not just receivers, there are a couple known, one very original. Most 1919's are little more than receivers i think.

Anyway, I really doubt your friend would have much trouble moving it for $2000, it has a couple pproblems but full matcher? This would sell easy.

Paul, with the one original 1919 Dated rifle, were these manufactured in imperial trim?

 

[Warrior1354]

Hot damn a great looking rifle and probably my favorite manufacturer of the Gew 98. I love the complex history of this maker from their start up, production life, and how it all ended.

And as Paul stated 1917 was their strongest year but I have yet to have seen one 1917 Kornbusch rifle for sale before. My buddy Mike sent me pictures of one 1917 WOK that was in unbelievable condition that was auction off years ago. From what he told me that rifle brought well over $4000 and up due to the condition. It really was a beauty.

Paul you mention the 1919 Oberspree receivers I also find it neat to have seen a few Kornbusch receivers being used in Sterngewehrs. Most likely that was done by Spandau because Spandau was a main influence with Kornbusch.

And yes asking $2000 for about any matching Kornbusch is a very fair asking price. He could probably ask more being how much these Gew 98 rifles are so sought after by collectors made by this manufacturer. As my buddy and teacher Paul has told me many times Kornbusch as the same desirable effect as a nice BSW K98k does. Not alot of them were made, finding one nice and matching is very tough, and every collector wants one.

As of now I own two 1916 Kornbusch rifles in my collection but I'm hoping to add one from each year to my Gew 98 collection someday. I know 1915 and 1918 will be the hardest. A 1919 Oberspree well now your asking me to find another 1939 337 or 1914 DWM!

Anyway great rifle happy for your friend that he pick out a rare and scarce Gew98 years ago!

 

[Loewe]

I believe it is upgraded , will have to check though.... these are what led to the S28's, these late WOK/17's and Oberspree/18's carry similar acceptance. Also some characteristics unique to late war WOK/Oberspree.

A very rare maker with a complex history... once a period study was sold on German ebay, I would have sold my left nut to have picked it up... but no sales out of the EU and it was like $1000 bucks, but came with blue prints and a detailed history. Anyway, this maker is sort of like a mix of Danzig and SDP, a complex and perplexing history with very little really known.

Paul, with the one original 1919 Dated rifle, were these manufactured in imperial trim?

 

[Loewe]

Oberspree/1919 2538 is a mirror to Oberspree/1918 2667 featured in "The Book"; same stock markings and acceptance, both property marked, both upgraded in the same style (same Simson components-even the same e/14 DWM RS sleeve); both have the barrel FP next to the serial (not in the Imperial tradition under the stock, something normal Oberspree/18's retain... which is why these no-suffix Oberspree's are a different variation than your normal wartime Oberspree/18's that continue suffixes where WOK/17 left off... the Oberspree/18 no suffix and Oberpsree/1919's are postwar and related to the S28, where they fall in is a mystery though, some have property marks, some do not, several are reports and it is unclear how they are marked)

 

[plymouthmauser]

It was not my intention to turn this is to a brokered WTS. However, I have been gently prodded to ask my friend is he was willing to sell it. Surprisingly he said he would consider offers. I have the starting pictures here, and sometime soon I will make the 2 hour drive back to his house and do a detail strip for complete pics. Only fitting for such a valuable piece. I will link this to the WTS forum.

t

 

[plymouthmauser]

Visited my friend and took 45 pictures. He has had the rifle for 35 years and I was the first to ever take it apart. Boy was I careful. I have the rifle with me and will enter it in my blue book so I can sell it. It will go on gunbroker for $2100 and no reserve. I’ll post all the pics when I get home. Here’s the barrel code for now. Everything matches; only the cleaning rod is unnumbered. Has an odd double line around the jag.

Only flaw I could find on the inside was that the stock is cracked through the trigger hole. Lots of dried grease. I did not clean or touch anything.

t

 

[40caliber]

Tim. Are you going to post the 45 pics here as well?

It’s obviously a good stickie if there ever was one

 

[plymouthmauser]

Picking up my son now, then home. Pics then. Has been 6 hours on the road. Did you want to see it?

t

 

[40caliber]

Keep it?

See it?
I want you to leave it at my house until it sells ! Ha!

Or better yet lefts get together and shoot it!

Just kidding. I will PM you

 

[plymouthmauser]

OK, here come the pics. I don't think I missed anything, but let me know if I did. The rifle is now in my gun safe.

Only 4 things of note:

*missing lower band swivel
*swivel added to rear quick release mount
*crack through trigger opening in stock
*unnumbered cleaning rod

t

 

[plymouthmauser]

Second set of pics:

t

 

[plymouthmauser]

And a last two.

So, any different opinions from earlier?

t

 

[Loewe]

There is nothing wrong with the rifle, really an extraordinary rifle in this condition. Looks all factory and the only distraction is the wear its received, but that is to be expected... while 1917's are easiest to find nice, even minty, they are still elusive this original matching. Add the rare and desirable maker-date, I doubt it will be in your safe long...

Someone did add the loop to the rear boss, but I would leave that for the next guy to remove. Most do because it is not German, but less tampering the best if flipping it, serious collectors like to do their own modifications and cleaning.

Thanks for the BC and sharing the pictures here, its rare enough to justify the effort.

 

[plymouthmauser]

Did I miss anything in the pics? Should the cleaning rod have been numbered? Otherwise I will move it to GunBroker.

thanks,

t

 

[plymouthmauser]

Ok, we're live on GunBroker. Many thanks to all who commented and helped me.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/845375889

t