WMO 1918

mauser1908

mauser1908

Senior Member
Hi Everyone,

I picked this one up a few weeks ago. 1918 dated items are a primary focus of mine, so I couldn’t resist when this one came up for sale for a second time.

As for the rifle, imperial 1918 WMOs are one of the harder 1918 dates to find. While they were the largest maker in 1918 by a long shot, surviving imperial examples are almost non existent. Most were earmarked for the Ottoman contract, the units that weren’t delivered were either sold or destroyed during the panic prior to IAMCC inspections. This gun is all matching less the screws, the metal is gorgeous but the stock has been blasted. Note the neat Spandau manufactured trigger guard, definitely a shuffled part during their reorganization that took place in 1917. All in all, I’m very pleased. Beggars can’t be choosers, enjoy.

Receiver SN: 5747e c/G, c/E, c/E
Barrel SN: 5747e B.S. 104 (Bergische Stahl-Industrie-Gesellschaft) c/K, c/K, c/K
Rear sight SN: 47
Sight Slider SN: 47
Ejector box SN: 47
Trigger Sear SN: 47
Front barrel band SN: 47
Rear barrel band SN: 47
Trigger guard SN: 5747
Trigger guard screws SN: unnumbered
Floor Plate SN: 47
Follower SN: 47
Stock SN: 5747
Handguard SN: Unnumbered, Mauser (factory error) C/K acceptance, correct for late 1917-18.
Buttplate SN: 5747e
Bayonet lug SN: 47
Bolt SN: 5747e
Extractor SN: 47
Firing Pin SN: 47
Bolt Sleeve SN: 47
Saftey SN: 47
Cocking Peice SN: 47





IMG_1993.jpegIMG_1957.jpegIMG_1981.jpegIMG_1983.jpegIMG_1984.jpegIMG_1985.jpegIMG_1986.jpegIMG_1982.jpegIMG_1958.jpegIMG_1961.jpegIMG_1962.jpegIMG_1965.jpegIMG_1966.jpegIMG_1967.jpegIMG_1987.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Super righteous rifle Sam. The sanding is at least not overly aggressive and the metal has that untouched look about it. I understand these are super hard to find.

Lastly I must curse BUBBA. Why must he molest the rare ones? Fortunate at least he did not have his Dremel tool on him after he touched the stock!

Telperion said:
WMO 1219 f:
Click to expand...

Nice rifle, and another 1918 WMO. Not wholly uncommon to find 1918 dated G98Ms since they were the closest on hand. For example, some 1918 JPS G98Ms have been documented (so we at least know JPS production continued in 1918), but no Imperial trim examples have surfaced to date.
 
Sam, this was a great buy. Less knowledgeable or misguided collectors would have turned up their noses on this because of the sanding, but this is so rare, who the heck cares. Any Gew 98 collector worth their salt should have bought this if they had the opportunity and price was sane. Only the 2nd or 3rd non ottoman, non 98M, I've personally seen in any detail (one being your mm). It will fit well with your other 18s. I'm glad at least the outlines of the markings are visible. That metal is off the charts nice!
 
Congrats on a rare Gew 98! I remember asking about this one when it first popped up for sale, glad it finally ended with you given your late war focus. Really nice pictures, the metal is excellent on this one!
 
OnlyMil said:
Super righteous rifle Sam. The sanding is at least not overly aggressive and the metal has that untouched look about it. I understand these are super hard to find.

Lastly I must curse BUBBA. Why must he molest the rare ones? Fortunate at least he did not have his Dremel tool on him after he touched the stock!



Nice rifle, and another 1918 WMO. Not wholly uncommon to find 1918 dated G98Ms since they were the closest on hand. For example, some 1918 JPS G98Ms have been documented (so we at least know JPS production continued in 1918), but no Imperial trim examples have surfaced to date.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Alex! Yeah we were fortunate on the metal. Only the best for bubba, I suppose.

Cyrano4747 said:
Very nice gun. Real shame about the sanding, but you really can't be too picky on WMO 18's in general, and non-ottoman ones in particular.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I agree.

Telperion said:
Very nice rifle, and thanks for sharing!

greetings

T
Click to expand...
Thank you!
chrisftk said:
Sam, this was a great buy. Less knowledgeable or misguided collectors would have turned up their noses on this because of the sanding, but this is so rare, who the heck cares. Any Gew 98 collector worth their salt should have bought this if they had the opportunity and price was sane. Only the 2nd or 3rd non ottoman, non 98M, I've personally seen in any detail (one being your mm). It will fit well with your other 18s. I'm glad at least the outlines of the markings are visible. That metal is off the charts nice!
Click to expand...
Thanks, Chris! That's my attitude. I so happy that it resurfaced after not being able to answer my phone the first time around haha.

AN-94 said:
Congrats on a rare Gew 98! I remember asking about this one when it first popped up for sale, glad it finally ended with you given your late war focus. Really nice pictures, the metal is excellent on this one!
Click to expand...
Thank you! It fits well; my 1918 dated guns are, what I believe, undergirds my collection.

CloudDancer said:
Beautiful rifle.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
joryfreeburg said:
Nice rifle Sam, it still has a great look to iit
Click to expand...
Thanks, Jory!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top