Possible purchase of Turk 1918 Gew98.

[Anzac15]

Saw a Turk 1918 Oberndorf Gew98 at the gun show today. Very nice rifle. Have been wanting a Gew98 for some time, and the only hint that it went to Turkey is a small crescent moon stamp on top of the receiver. Price is $375, could probably get it for less. Were these war aid to Turkey during the war, as I've read? Would like some thoughts as to whether to buy or not to buy. Thanks!

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[Calif-Steve]

Yes, WWI war-aid. Almost all of the 1917/1918 Oberndorf went to Turkey. Lots of history with these.

[jon_norstog]

]Anzac, I've got one of those 1918 G98 Turks. Mine shoots great! Oberndorff didn't waste a lot of time on finishing the metal towards the end, they were just trying to fill the contract before the German Empire collapsed. I'm thinking they kept stamping them 1918 into early 1919, and probably kept shipping until the Occupation made them stop in April.

My G98 showed signs of being stored in a damp arsenal, but no signs of having been issued or in-service.

Attachment 40846Attachment 40847Attachment 40848

[Calif-Steve]

European elm stock? Walnut probably gone by late-1918. The Germans had 16 and 17 year olds in the trenches in late-1918. Country on the verge of starvation in 1918.

[Calif-Steve]

My 1918 is SN 2552C. Elm wood stock as well. The barreled receiver has been blued, by the Turks, as the Germans left the receiver in the white. The barrel is a match, but the triggerguard is SN 7112 while the floorplate is marked 80. The bore is only so-so. Overall it looks very well made considering it was 1918. I recently saw a nice Gew98 at a gunshow and the dealer wanted $750.00 for it. I liked it and it had a nice bore and looked well cared for, but I passed as I have 7-8 Gew98's already. Gew98's have been going up in value and you found a nice keeper.

[jon_norstog]

As you can see, I sanded and oiled that stock. I know it was wrong, but when it came it was ugly and the grain had raised to a huge degree. The bore is great and once the barrel heats up this rifle will put one shot after another into 1.5" at 100M. I'm thiking of giving it to my son.

jn

[gew8805]

European elm stock? Walnut probably gone by late-1918. The Germans had 16 and 17 year olds in the trenches in late-1918. Country on the verge of starvation in 1918.

No the wood used is beech, the primary substitute wood used by Imperial Germany during the War. You can see by looking at the grain structure and confirmation is the large "B" stamped on the side of the stock near the butt plate.

Like all Turk Gew98, it shows signs of heavy use but it was well cared for.

---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------

Anzac, that price is not bad. As said before, all Mauser production went to Turkey as war aid in 1917 - 1918.

[jon_norstog]

Gewehr,


I figured it was beech. Elm is such a plain wood, but beech can have some figure to it. One reason I sanded and oiled that stock ... gotta remember that was a $90 rifle when I got it.


jn

[Anzac15]

I ended up buying it, I figured I couldn't go wrong for $300. It is a very nice rifle, and like I said, the only clue that it was in Turkish service is the small crescent moon on top of the receiver. Beautiful bore, very, very slight pitting along the woodline. When I get my computer back up, I'll get some pics on here.

[Calif-Steve]

Beech? Yes, my stock does have a small B stamp. Thank you. All things considered the Turks did a good job of taking care of their weapons.