Danzig 1914 - any information

[redwells3]

I came across this rifle and I don’t know much about older military stuff.
It’s stamped Danzig 1914 on top of the receiver and KAR 98 on the side. From what I can find online I am guessing that the stock has been cut down and it’s missing the frond band.
Would this be a 8mm Mauser from 1914?

 

[Potashminer]

Yes, I believe so - was a "SMALL RING" Mauser 98 action made at Danzig - now known as Gdansk in Poland, I believe?? Because of the era, may want to confirm that it is 8x57JS and not 8x57J - .323" groove to groove size versus .318". Goes to the bullet diameter to be used - should be .323" (8x57JS), but who really knows???

 

[MotorwayRacer]

History of Gdańsk:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Gda%C5%84sk

 

[redwells3]

Thanks.
Is there any real value in this rifle seeing that it has been modified?

 

[MiG25]

$200- 250 maybe. Modified and condition looks rough.

 

[Winchester-1897]

Forgotten Weapons covers this............................

 

[Winchester-1897]

I have a 1918 Berlin that loves .323 Spitzer 150 gr

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Thanks.
Is there any real value in this rifle seeing that it has been modified?

In a word, yes. They're not making those old guns anymore. Just the other day I saw an ad for Russian capture K98k rifles on sale for $1500.

There was a time when full length stocks and barrels were instant candidates for chopping down. Supply and demand. When super cheap surplus rifles were abundant, commercial rifles were expensive and scarce. The equation has now flipped. Guys like you are now buying what was once disregarded, and seeing room for restoration.

I suggest you cultivate friendships with all the old gunsmiths, gun shops, and retired gun "nuts" you can find. Someone will have a full length stock, a takeoff barrel, a selection of barrel bands, swivels and front fixtures. This project is probably going to take years.

 

[Potashminer]

I am not old enough to have done so, but I think the Small Ring 98 Mausers were often used up to make up hunting rifles - a bit slimmer / lighter than the Large Ring Mausers? So finding one with receiver and barrel more or less intact is a bit unusual, in itself. Sort of like the 33/40 Mountain Troop rifles. The "#### on open" of the 98 seemed to be a great attraction over the "#### on close" 93 style. I have one done up with double "set" triggers, so I believe even the "pro's" in 1920's Germany liked to use them. If it is a GEW 98, you will find some differences in firing pin versus a K98, but relatively minor stuff, but makes for days of research!!!

Edit - 14-Nov-2021 - as per post below, I zoomed in on OP's picture and indeed the scroll appears to be KAR 98, not GEW 98 that I had presumed.

 

[Eaglelord17]

That was a 1914 made Kar 98 AZ rifle made in Danzig, Germany (now it would be part of Poland). Bore diameter will be standard 8mm Mauser (.323), they formally adopted Ball ‘S’ ammo in 1905 and even then the bores were still made larger on rifles made after about 1896 or so.

It is not a Gewehr 98 like others have suggested, it was a carbine. Value wise I personally wouldn’t pay more then 200-300$ but that is just me. Cool rifle.

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

If the bolt and stock are matching, you could consider doing a bit of rebuilding back into military configuration as the barrel doesn't look cut from your picture. Fox gun stocks out of Poland do repro stocks that'd work, the metal bits could likely be sourced from the US. Your rifle was made at the Imperial German (Prussian) arsenal at Danzig which was previously, later became and remains Gdansk as part of Poland. After WW1 ended the factory tooling was incorporated into the nascent Polish armaments industry and then looted during WW2. If I saw your rifle at a show and it had a matching bolt and decent bore for $250 it'd be coming home with me.

 

[iroc22]

After WW1 ended the factory tooling was incorporated into the nascent Polish armaments industry and then looted during WW2.

As far as I know, this is mostly correct. The Danzig arsenal produced a purpose built sporting rifle for about a year, during 1919, until the tooling was transferred into Poland from the "free city" in early 1920. I have one of these sporting rifles produced in 1919 in Danzig - it is a small ring action, 7.92x57 caliber, double set triggers, folding leaf sights and a sporting stock with a cheek piece and schnabel fore end. I don't know how many were produced, but like I said production was only for a year before the tooling left the free city.

 

[redwells3]

Thanks for all the help
All the serial numbers I can find match, now just to determine if I want to replace the stock and go back as close to original as I can.