Help finding / discerning a 1898 manufacture Mauser 98?

Ardent

Ardent

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I've had a desire emerge to find a first year example of one of my favourite rifles, the Mauser Gewehr 98. An 1899 would be swell as, just pre-turn of the century, and I understand it is possible some Kar 98A's were made that early, that would be the holy grail.

Advice appreciated, early 98's are completely new to me.
 
Somebody kindly crap on me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there ever were any. First deliveries were in 1899.

There WAS also the original Kar.98, the little cavalry carbine with the 18-inch barrel. SUPER rare these days. I have seen ONE in 50 years.

I believe the Kar98a came out about 1904. I like them, have one here that I have been trying to trace for 30 years now, to no avail! Nice shooter, though.
 
Early dated Gewehr 98's are pretty hard to come by and usually pretty pricey as well. There are 1898 dated examples but they were built as trials rifles and very few survive today. Realistically you would really only have a chance at a 1899 or 1900 dated example and even then it would be a tough find.

I would think importing from the US would be your best bet at finding one in a reasonable time frame.
 
Gewehr 98s made during 1898 and 1899 were primarily made by Mauser and DWM from what I have gathered but I wouldn't be surprised if a Spandau one popped up. DWM was manufacturing the tools and dies for the state arsenals during this time as well. They were quite cautious to string out production after the experiences with the gewehr 88s so pre war and early dated Gewehr 98s are tough to find as they were either parted out or scrapped after considerable use.

I have only seen one 1898 Mauser example in Canada but it was butchered beyond repair but I was able to get the stock and use it to restore a Gewehr 98. I have a 1904 and 1905 Danzig and a 1907 Spandau and they are gorgeous and very well made for their time.

The "lengthened" kar98s came out in 1907/1908, anything before were trial models that were converted to trainers or sent to the colonies from what I have read. I happen to have (will have soon) a 1910 Amberg so she will be an interesting study to see how the early Kar 98s were made and built.

I have been surprised during my collecting so don't stop, that 1898 may be just around the corner for you.
 
The only pictures I have ever even seen of a pre-1900 Gew98 are the ones from the Russian War Museum which were captured from Germany in 1945 from the Reich's pattern rooms. Several of these (dewatted by the Russian museum) are depitced in Dr. Dieter Storz's excellent book on Imperial mausers (Rifle and Carbine 98). It's a book worth buying if you are into WW1 and earlier 98's.
 
PS: There is a 1900 Danzig on Gunbroker right now. Not quite as old as you are looking for, but close. Check out item No. 355537288.
 
One reference German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols, 1871-1945 By Gotz, Hans-Dieter.
Mentioned that the German army figured on a 5 year life span for the Gew-98, before it had to be replaced. No other information was supplied.
The 5 year replacement and the loses during WW 1 may explain the scarcity of early dated Gew-98s.
 
sail32 said:
One reference German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols, 1871-1945 By Gotz, Hans-Dieter.
Mentioned that the German army figured on a 5 year life span for the Gew-98, before it had to be replaced. No other information was supplied.
The 5 year replacement and the loses during WW 1 may explain the scarcity of early dated Gew-98s.
Click to expand...

The German Army had a different understanding of replacement than you and I do. In their system, if a rifle went back and got totally rebuilt (receiver retained), it counted as having produced a new rifle.
 
I'd love to see pictures of that 1901. From what I have read, many of the German colonial issued ones were still chambered for the patrone 88. I'm hunting for a colonial issued Gewehr 98 as they are rare as hens teeth. Very few ever came back as the German colonies were cut off from support and supplies. Any rifles found now would likely be veteran bring backs.

Is she "S" marked on the barrel ? Does the rear sight have the 200m graduation on it ? Also, does the rear sight have the later spitzer sight adjustment slide on it ? Is the bolt handle bent down (similar to a Kar 98AZ but no kurled finish on the inside of the knob, the turned down bolt and field modifications to the rear sight are indicative of the colonial issued rifles).
 
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Ardent said:
I've had a desire emerge to find a first year example of one of my favourite rifles, the Mauser Gewehr 98. An 1899 would be swell as, just pre-turn of the century, and I understand it is possible some Kar 98A's were made that early, that would be the holy grail.

Advice appreciated, early 98's are completely new to me.
Click to expand...

Would one of the 100th anniversary 98s from 1998 by Mauser be acceptable, I have seen a few for sale overseas in the last month or so.
 
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