October 18, 2010, 04:20 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: October 18, 2010
Posts: 4
|
Mauser Spandau 1905
I have a Mauser that I am trying to track down details on. I have posted the best photos I can using the link below. I am trying to identify it as it is a family heirloom from my grandfather who was a Navy man from WWII.
Pics link http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...erGEW98016.jpg Here are the descriptions for the pics. On the left side of the chamber is what looks like GEW 98 and just above it towards the barrel is a stamp with a crown with 637 next to it and what looks like a cursive "d" below it. 637 is also stamped on the barrel. On the side just above the chamber are letters stamped into it with crowns. On top of the chamber is a large crown, SPANDAU, and 1905 stamped into it. On the magazine cover is 64 and towards the screw that holds the trigger housing are the numbers 8464. Any help would be great. |
October 18, 2010, 04:49 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,486
|
Grandpa's rifle is a Gew (Gewehr = rifle) '98 (Mauser model of 1898) made in 1905 at the Prussian arsenal in Spandau. It has been heavily sporterized by cutting down the stock, adding a recoil pad and a sporting barrel band front sight. Looks like the metal has been reblued. There is no sign of a rear sight, leading me to wonder if the job was ever completed to where the rifle could be shot.
The rifle serial number is 637 d. Yes, the letter counts. The floorplate not matching is not a surprise on such a much modified gun. Dollar value is low and collector interest is nil. Consider it a memento of Grandpa. |
October 18, 2010, 04:55 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: October 18, 2010
Posts: 4
|
Excellent, thank you. It has a Stith scope mount with a Baush and Lomb scope with it which I removed to do some cleaning. I was told my good ole grandpa used it for hunting a lot. It has been shot, I am wondering if I should attempt to use it or just let the dogs lie and not try. Any reccomendations?
|
October 18, 2010, 04:59 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 6, 2009
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 2,832
|
There's noting in the lower 48 that gun can't kill, so give it a shot (pun intended).
__________________
I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying. |
October 18, 2010, 05:03 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 17, 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 1,478
|
It also has what's known as a Schnabel forend on the stock.
That rifle is typical of the way Mausers were sporterized when they were commonly available for sale by mail order for dirt cheap before 1963 My Prussian Great-Grandfather was stationed at Spandau in 1902-'03
__________________
member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts |
October 18, 2010, 05:07 PM | #6 |
Junior Member
Join Date: October 18, 2010
Posts: 4
|
Were these types of rifles used by German soldiers?
|
October 18, 2010, 05:28 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 17, 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 1,478
|
Quote:
They also used the Gew 88 bolt-action rifle in the Landwehr ersatzreserve divisions
__________________
member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts |
|
October 18, 2010, 05:36 PM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: October 18, 2010
Posts: 4
|
This is GREAT! I really appreciate the help with this. It has been so hard to determine what the rifle was due to mods and so on.
I greatly appreciate everybody's help with this. |
October 18, 2010, 08:38 PM | #9 |
Member In Memoriam
Join Date: March 17, 1999
Posts: 24,383
|
The Gew. 98 was the standard German service rifle of WWI. A shortened and lightened version, called the Karabiner 98 Kurz (K.98k) was the standard German rifle of WWII.
Jim |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|