Sauer 1917 Gewehr 98 restoration project - advice much appreciated

[Gerst]

I just took delivery on my newest addition, a 1917 Sauer Gewehr 98. It is a real mixmaster. The barrel, receiver, both bands, trigger and rear sight match. The stock (an early war model not correct for the rifle) , butt plate and bayonet lug match each other, and the trigger guard and floor plate match. Then there is the mostly-matching bolt.

Here are some pictures starting with the barrel and receiver.

There appear to be plenty of stamps. Was this rifle ever sent back for depot repairs?

 

[Gerst]

The bolt seems to be mostly mayching. Is there a way to know who made the the body? I am told that the bolt is not “native” to the rifle and was added later.

 

[moosedog]

Pretty darn good shape for a barn find.

 

[Gerst]

Pretty darn good shape for a barn find.

I worked on it with Ballistol to remove rust and crud. The stock is in rough shape with plenty of dents and gouges and “weathering.” I’ll post photos when I have the time.

 

[Gerst]

Trigger guard, floor plate, follower and screws.

 

[Gerst]

Upper and lower bands

 

[Gerst]

Here are some pictures of the stock. I will have to replace it.
Does anyone know what the letters mean, or the single number on the unit disk, or is that an “m?”

 

[Rutche]

That B means that the stock is Beech Wood, the unit disk marking is an inspector's stamp

 

[Gerst]

That B means that the stock is Beech Wood, the unit disk marking is an inspector's stamp

Wow. It sure is dark wood.

 

[Rutche]

Was gonna say, Its looking pretty Dark for beech maybe its been oiled a ton!

 

[Gerst]

Was gonna say, Its looking pretty Dark for beech maybe its been oiled a ton!

I cleaned it as best I could but didn’t use anything like mineral spirits for fear of drying it out. Should I just live with it?

 

[Rutche]

Yup dont mess with it. It looks good like it is for sure

 

[Gerst]

Yup dont mess with it. It looks good like it is for sure

The stock has definitely seen some rough use. I wonder when they teamed it up with the barrel and receiver. I have a feeling that the stock is a lot older than the rest of the rifle. It has a three-digit serial number and it looks pretty old. I have seen photos of late-war rifles with stocks that have finger grooves. My stock was more recently teamed up with the barrel and receiver.

 

[swjXE]

I don't see any marks indicating a rework, How's the bore and does it have a 98m rear sight?
It's sure made up from some mighty nice parts.

 

[Gerst]

I don't see any marks indicating a rework, How's the bore and does it have a 98m rear sight?
It's sure made up from some mighty nice parts.

The bore looks pretty good. I gave it a good cleaning. Here is the sight - roller-coaster.

 

[swjXE]

I like the grain on that beech stock!

 

[Gerst]

I like the grain on that beech stock!

It is very dark but weather-worn and rough. It has plenty of deep gouges and dents. It gives it “character” but I would prefer a smooth finish But don’t worry, I won’t sand it!

 

[swjXE]

It is very dark but weather-worn and rough. It has plenty of deep gouges and dents. It gives it “character” but I would prefer a smooth finish But don’t worry, I won’t sand it!

I'd appreciate that.

 

[Gerst]

What are the odds I could find a more “period” stock, one from 1917? Maybe I could work a trade. The stock is all matching.

 

[swjXE]

Try to work a trade on the Forum Trader.