SOLD - Excellent 1917 Mauser Gew 98 - Wehrmanngewehr

Description

11/29/22 - This is an excellent Mauser Gewehr 98 "Wehrmanngewehr" rifle with a very interesting history. It was originally issued to the Imperial German Army in 1917 and converted after the war to be used in shooting competitions. After the First World War, the Versailles Treaty , which the Germans considered a disgrace, no longer permitted the private ownership of military weapons. However, the Wehrmann rifle was compliant with the provisions of the Versailles Treaty for private gun ownership. Many “leftover” infantry rifles were converted by gunsmiths into sporting Wehrmann rifles for the 8.15x46R cartridge. Often times, the serial numbers were also ground out to disguise any origin of the weapons. In the 1920s, (former) military personnel supported rifle shooting. But it was in strong competition with small-caliber shooting, which was also heavily promoted at the time. There was no longer any general conscription, the professional army was only allowed to have a maximum of 100,000 soldiers. If you go back to the time when the German Empire came to an end and the Weimar Republic changed the country, it's understandable if the now unemployed soldiers were keen to pick up "something military" for shooting sports. In this way, the existing will to defend could continue to be manifested and the promotion of German defensiveness could be continued on the club shooting ranges. This one is all matching except for the rear part of the bolt, the trigger, and the stock. The handguard is numbered and matching. Unfortunately, the stock was duffle cut and glued together (see photos). The gun has been converted from 8mm Mauser to 8.15x46mm, as evidenced by the modified extractor on the bolt. It has also been fitted with a period-correct adjustable Haenel target sight. You'll notice the star markings on 80 and 100 meters, the common distances for shooting competitions of that period. Overall, the gun is in excellent condition, retaining about 95% of its original finish. There is minor muzzle wear, some handling marks along the barrel, minor wear on the barrel bands, and some thinning on the floor plate. The receiver, bolt, and butt plate are properly "in the white". Light spotty oxidation on the butt plate. There is no major damage to the stock, but there are minor dings, bruises, and scratches throughout. Mint bore.