I thought I would share this discovery with you all.
As some of you may know, I own a Gewehr 98 that went through atleast two post-war refurbishments, one being by the Weimar Republic (Simson & Suhl) and the other during the Third Reich years by HZa Spandau.
After examining the inspection stamps on the right side of the butt stock and comparing to another Gewehr 98 that is still in her original configuration and a Kar98a that is "1920" property marked on the stock and on the receiver, I had a good look at the left side of the stock on the re-worked Gewehr 98 and, sure enough, at an angle in the light, there is a faint "1920" property mark. This just amazes me as the opposite side of the stock has about five inspection stamps but since the stock was lightly sanded sometime after 1920, there are not perfectly clear.
The best part is, the stock matches the rifle and is not force matched. Yet, the most peculiar thing, is that the receiver is not stamped "1920" like on my Kar98a.
Any thoughts on this ? I would imagine a Gewehr 98 that made it into government inventory and was not destroyed would be quite an interesting find indeed.
As some of you may know, I own a Gewehr 98 that went through atleast two post-war refurbishments, one being by the Weimar Republic (Simson & Suhl) and the other during the Third Reich years by HZa Spandau.
After examining the inspection stamps on the right side of the butt stock and comparing to another Gewehr 98 that is still in her original configuration and a Kar98a that is "1920" property marked on the stock and on the receiver, I had a good look at the left side of the stock on the re-worked Gewehr 98 and, sure enough, at an angle in the light, there is a faint "1920" property mark. This just amazes me as the opposite side of the stock has about five inspection stamps but since the stock was lightly sanded sometime after 1920, there are not perfectly clear.
The best part is, the stock matches the rifle and is not force matched. Yet, the most peculiar thing, is that the receiver is not stamped "1920" like on my Kar98a.
Any thoughts on this ? I would imagine a Gewehr 98 that made it into government inventory and was not destroyed would be quite an interesting find indeed.
