A unit marked Gewehr 98 with that "been there, done that" look....

This weekend I attended a gunshow where I acquired this Gew98 from a friend. It's a 1906 DWM unit marked to the Reserve Pioneer battalion of the 19th Army Corps. This pioneer unit was actually the 2nd Royal Saxon Pioneer Battalion attached to the 24th Division. The rifle is matching with the exception of the front band, cleaning rod and bolt which has been "forced matched" to the rifle. At some point the rifle was subjected to a few shrapnel strikes one of which tried to exit through the buttplate but only suceeded in leaving an outward bulge. The shrapnel is still embedded in the stock. Here are some pics.

Len

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It's an explanation why someone would recommend useing steel buttplates. Nice rifle!

Wow that is really cool! It might be morbid, but I think that weapons that bare the scars of battle like that are very interesting. It never understood people who wanted to fix them or replace parts on it. That rifle is a true war vet and should be treated as such. I think you've got a superb piece there and I would hold on to it. Great find!

Neat looking battle damage.

Regards