Unusual 1920 rework Gew 98 (pic heavy)

[STG-44]

Hello everybody. I'm hoping one of the Mauser experts out there can help me figure out exactly what I have here as I've pretty much hit a dead end.
What I know is it's a double date Gew 98 made at Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf in 1916.

All the parts that are numbered are matching. It has a straight bolt handle, and the tab on the rear sight for the handguard has been ground off. Though it's unneeded for the handguard that's on it.

It also has a circled capital A stamped on either side of the buttstock that I haven't been able to find the meaning of.

Does anybody have any insight as to what I have here? I haven't been able to find anything in such a configuration.

Thanks.

 

[Nabs]

Gew 98 that was sent to Spain during the SCW. The handguard style, sling bar on the butt, and serial number location on the bolt handle are good clues to this. I'm not sure what the A marking on the butt stock means though.

It looks like she was refurbished to follow the Spanish 1944 standard.

 

[Horilka]

A is another Spanish giveaway, however different sources point to either SCW period application or post war refurb application.

 

[STG-44]

So if I have my history right,

This rifle was made in 1916, possibly served in WW1, was retained by the Weimar Republic after the war, was given to Spain by the Nazis, possibly served in the Spanish Civil War, and then was refurbished by Spain during or after WW2?

That's quite the service life. The stories it could tell.

 

[mrbeil]

So if I have my history right,

This rifle was made in 1916, possibly served in WW1, was retained by the Weimar Republic after the war, was given to Spain by the Nazis, possibly served in the Spanish Civil War, and then was refurbished by Spain during or after WW2?

That's quite the service life. The stories it could tell.

Made in 1916. I can guarantee you that it saw service in WW1. War REALLY started heating up that year

 

[Nabs]

She definitely has history . How's the bore ?

 

[Mike Webb]

Interesting rifle. Condition is remarkably good for such a "high mileage" gun.

 

[STG-44]

She definitely has history . How's the bore ?

The bore has definitely seen better days. It's pretty much smooth for the last inch or so. That said, it shoots remarkably well all things considered. 4/5 shots within an inch at 25 yds. with one flier, which I assume was due to the lack of crown.

Interesting rifle. Condition is remarkably good for such a "high mileage" gun.

It's mostly just the wood. The metal is pretty much all patina at this point, and the bore leaves much to be desired.

 

[Horilka]

Here's the sister of your rifle, with same "A" on stock - I used to own this rifle.

http://imgur.com/a/a2mKA

 

[STG-44]

Here's the sister of your rifle, with same "A" on stock - I used to own this rifle.

http://imgur.com/a/a2mKA

Well I'll be damned. I looked for ages and didn't see another rifle like mine.

You wouldn't happen to know what the proper bayonet would be for this rifle? A Gew98 bayonet? A K98 bayonet? Did Spain make one specifically for this rifle?

And what cleaning rod did it use? Would it be the original Gew 98 rod or a Spanish one?

 

[Horilka]

Unfortunately I don't know answers to these questions.