Gew 98 from WWI
Moderator: joseyclosey
Gew 98 from WWI
I have a Gewehr 98 from Mauser Oberndorf dated 1918. What's different about it from others is that it has the half moon Turk stamp on the ring above the manufacturer mark. Since Mauser made many rifles on contract to Turkey, and since during WWI they were allies, it actually is not surprising to see the Turkish mark. This rifle I own came into the US during the great influx of Turkish Mausers at the end of the 20th Century as surplus.
I took a few photos of mine along with a couple of the K98k's from WWII. Note one of the K98k's has machined parts like the GEW 98 and the other stamped parts.
The GEW, besides being a full length rifle, had some features that the later shorter rifles didn't. It had, for instance, a rather out of date, but impressive looking, roller coaster sight with a 400 meter starting point and going out to 2000 meters. The big ears on the sight at the aiming end must have been annoying in finding a sight picture against moving targets. There was also a hook on the forward end of the stock to catch on a metal sling attachment for keeping the sling close to the rifle as well as a back spring loaded swivel for removing the sling from the rifle.
The main thing that the German rifle had doing for it was that it was well engineered with plenty of safety features in case of blown shell casings.
The last photo shows the more modern WWII sight that replaced the "roller coaster".
Here is a link to a video that pretty well tells the GEW 98 show and tell story.
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/ria-ge ... wwi-rifle/
I took a few photos of mine along with a couple of the K98k's from WWII. Note one of the K98k's has machined parts like the GEW 98 and the other stamped parts.
The GEW, besides being a full length rifle, had some features that the later shorter rifles didn't. It had, for instance, a rather out of date, but impressive looking, roller coaster sight with a 400 meter starting point and going out to 2000 meters. The big ears on the sight at the aiming end must have been annoying in finding a sight picture against moving targets. There was also a hook on the forward end of the stock to catch on a metal sling attachment for keeping the sling close to the rifle as well as a back spring loaded swivel for removing the sling from the rifle.
The main thing that the German rifle had doing for it was that it was well engineered with plenty of safety features in case of blown shell casings.
The last photo shows the more modern WWII sight that replaced the "roller coaster".
Here is a link to a video that pretty well tells the GEW 98 show and tell story.
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/ria-ge ... wwi-rifle/
Re: Gew 98 from WWI
I have a 1914 dated Amberg G98 rifle. I also have a couple of M1909 Peruvian Mausers that also have the roller coaster sight.
Regards
Peter.
Regards
Peter.
- Niner Delta
- Global Moderator Sponsor 2011-2017
- Posts: 4895
- Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:51 pm
- Location: Sequim, WA
Re: Gew 98 from WWI
The only Mauser I have is a DWM Modelo Argentino 1891 cavalry carbine made in 1900.
Sadly, previous owner cut off about 1.5 inches from butt and screwed on a rubber pad, but
that's why I got it real cheap.
.
Sadly, previous owner cut off about 1.5 inches from butt and screwed on a rubber pad, but
that's why I got it real cheap.
.
Peace is that brief, quiet moment in history.......... when everybody stands around reloading.
Re: Gew 98 from WWI
Looks like this show and tell stuff works sometimes and I thank all who have posted something in response. Maybe we can pump some life in this site relative to Milsurps again. Anybody want to start a string about something you own?
- DuncaninFrance
- Global Moderator Sponsor 2011-2017
- Posts: 10962
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:08 pm
- Location: S.W.France
- Contact:
Re: Gew 98 from WWI
I think that it is an interesting comparison between pre 1900 and post 1900 design which saw the introduction of better ammo and thus dictated a reduction in barrel lengths....
Mine and Blackislers Schmidt-Rubins mirror the Mausers above........
Mine and Blackislers Schmidt-Rubins mirror the Mausers above........
Duncan
What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
Re: Gew 98 from WWI
The Enfields were already shorter than the GEW 98 and the long Swiss rifle. Since they really didn't need to shorten the rifle they shortened the bayonet.
- ArchFluffy
- Moderator
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:19 am
- joseyclosey
- Moderator
- Posts: 3917
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 2:48 pm
- Location: UK