Mauser Spandau 1905

[Mauser GEW 98]

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/k97/DaDruid/MauserGEW98016.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.

[Jim Watson]

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.

[Mauser GEW 98]

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?

[mapsjanhere]

There's noting in the lower 48 that gun can't kill, so give it a shot (pun intended).

[Rampant_Colt]

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

[Mauser GEW 98]

Were these types of rifles used by German soldiers?

[Rampant_Colt]

Were these types of rifles used by German soldiers?
Yes, just not 'sporterized' like yours is.
They also used the Gew 88 bolt-action rifle in the Landwehr ersatzreserve divisions

[Mauser GEW 98]

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.

[James K]

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