Gew 98 input please.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Found this gew 98 today and would like some input from the Mauser experts.
Details 1915 Dazing manufacture 28.5 inch barrel. All parts matching down to the screws which do mot appear to have met a screwdriver. Very old brush/ splash application of shellac with stock markings visiable. No import markings. Bore Just ok. Thoughts on cleaning stock yes/no? This gun looks amazingly original down to the sling. I do not want to diminish or devalue.
Thanks

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Very old brush/ splash application of shellac with stock markings visiable. No import markings. Bore Just ok. Thoughts on cleaning stock yes/no?

The present shine jars with the "high-mileage" look of the metal and the wood surface. The shellac is not an original finish, and can easily be removed with alcohol. Then oil with linseed oil.

[gew8805]

I agree with Patrick. The rifle appears to have served in another force after it's use by Germany, the rear sling swivel prooves that. Germany used a detacheable rear swivel, the loop has been added by someone else, possibly the Ottomans. The sling is not German, it may be an old civilian model.

Still, a nice looking rifle and the overall condition is not bad at all, especially - as you infer - all matching. You did well in acquiring it.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Thanks for the input. A bit of research yeilded doubts about the sling. I will carefully clean the muck off the stock and seek the appropriate rear sling attachment and sling. This is the most matching and unmolested rifle of this age I have seen. Any ball park opinions on value? GunBroker listings indicate a value from $400 up. I did not pay near that much. Wondering just how well I did. I believe I measured the barrel incorrectly from the front of the reciever to the muzzle so probably the correct figure is the 29.5" which research indicates is correct.

[jmoore]

The shellac is not an original finish, and can easily be removed with alcohol. Then oil with linseed oil.

That's about as much as I would do as well. No sanding or "deep cleaning", just something that reduces the sheen. Locally, prices seem to vary wildly. You might see something for US$250 or so, but then something similar will be US$900-1200! ourse, 95%+ of the time the rifle will have some dramas. Mismatched, terrible bore, refinished, duffle bag cut forestock, etc., etc. But those issues often have little to do with the price...

[Aragorn243]

Value on these is all over the place. I'd say $300 minimum, after that it's a crapshoot with who's looking at it. I don't see them real often. I had a guy offer me one for $200 that had the markings scrubbed but otherwise was in good shape. Saw one at the auction from hell that I figured booked at $350 and sold for $650. Seems people ignore the condition because most seem to be pretty poor so if it has 10% bluing, it's suddenly a very good to excellent example.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Look better?Three hours many paper towels and Qtips later here she is. I resisted the temptation to break it down beyond the rear band and upper handguard.Found matching number on the stock & upper handguard and it seems the only mismatched part is the cleaning rod and the rear capture screw is the only one that is marred. The rear sling swivel is rudamentary at best and will be replaced with the correct swivel and probably a reproduction sling. Had a bit of time to price shop and you guys nailed it prices vary wildly. I scored even if it is on the low end. Good to know my heirs will have one that is worth a bit more than I paid.
Added a before for side by side comparison.

[Aragorn243]

Looks much better.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Looks much better.

I read a couple of opinions elswere recomending against cleaning indicating it would negitively affect value ,but I think I will enjoy it more in cleaned yet unrestored condition. If I had not cleaned the wood I would not even know the stock number matched. It still has a trench time look it just does not look like it was dug up from a trench.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I read a couple of opinions elswere recomending against cleaning indicating it would negitively affect value ...

It all depends on what you mean by cleaning. Removing an original finish is generally a mistake. Removing dirt (or, in this case, Bubba goo) is simply removing something that did not belong there in the first place. Think it through in reverse: would putting the shellac back increase the value?
Surely not.
Q.E.D.

...If I had not cleaned the wood I would not even know the stock number matched...

So by revealing the number you have a) confirmed that the shellac was not original and b) increased its value by revealing the match.

..It still has a trench time look it just does not look like it was dug up from a trench...

In other words, it now looks like an honest old banger.

...I think I will enjoy it more in cleaned yet unrestored condition...

Which confirms all the above - You did the right thing.