So Nabs are you building a WW1 sniper here? If so I am looking forward to the pics! I'm beginning to develop an interest in German WW1 rifles.
That is one of my goals for collecting. At first, I wanted to find an original example but with estimated numbers being at a maximum of 40,000 made from 1915-1918 out of a total of 4,000,000 estimated Gewehr 98s made, my chances are very slim. I have yet to see an original example for sale in Canada or even the U.S. for that matter. This is also why I appreciate everyone's input for bringing this scope, both legally and safely, across the border.
My guidelines for this project are simple: Obtain original period parts where possible and substitute with reproduction parts where needed or where original parts are much too costly to obtain under budget.
I have to admit, I never expected to be offered a scope from sniper. That was the biggest hold up to the project in the beginning; locating the proper scope. A post war example would be incorrect and simply "bubbaing" a Gewehr 98 into a cheap look alike wouldn't cut the bill either. The only thing now is to locate a Gewehr 98 that is beat up or has her markings on the receiver partially polished off or something along those lines (anyone know of one ?) as I will work with it and bring it back. I don't think I would have the heart to ask a gun smith to install the scope mounts onto a rifle with a crisp and clear receiver marking.
The project began two years ago when I picked up a bubba Gewehr 98 that I was thinking of turning into a sniper clone. Well I restored that rifle to full military configuration and that included re-straightening the bolt handle (very crudely turned down). She is also the oldest Gewehr 98 I possess (marked Danzig 1905). I just wouldn't have the heart to loose that receiver marking.
I also learned some things about bedding the actions on my Gewehr 98s from a recent stock I picked up to restore a forgotten barreled action I found at my local gun smith. The wax bedding, at first a real eye sore, turned that rifle into a target rifle using iron sights. She was able to keep up with a Swede M38 not too long ago while at the range for the second time which impressed the heck out of me.
Any time you have a question about German ww1 rifles, just ask. I'm not an expert as I have yet to write any books, but I have a number of variants from different makers of the Gewehr 88s and 98s so I can always compare differences and follow patterns as they arise.
