Mauser G98 1916

[WhiteFeather]

Hello everybody

I introduce you my last weapon.
I bought it in Germany.
A Mauser Gewehr 98 , marker marked Oberndorf 1916.
it's a all matched weapon, in a very good estate.
But do you can say me the origin of the marker on the sling, please ?









Best regards

[FestungSpanien]

Can't comment on the sling markings but it is one of the best G98 I have ever seen

[sscrooge]

thats a beauty rgds Dave

[WhiteFeather]

Nobody can identify this marked sling …

[PlaceOfBayonets]

I agree, best looking GEW98 I've ever seen.

W.

[KM-NZ]

I got its 1918 brother with crescent moon

Awesome rifle !

[Alan Smith]

I would suspect that the "in the white" metal parts on this rifle have been extensively polished/cleaned recently: in my opinion this rifle has not existed in this same condition since WWI, some 90 years ago.

Just take a look at all the Gew 98's from the Bavarian War Museum's collection that are used to illustrate the nice big book ("The Rifle 98" ??) that was published in Germany (in English) a few years ago: all of them look just like this one, polished/buffed up very nicely. I think the original post mentioned the gun in question having come out of Germany: perhaps it is common for German collectors to polish these rifles? In my experience such polishing is not typically seen here in the U.S.

In any event, don't get me wrong: this is a really nice looking rifle and I sort of like having the "in the white" parts all polished up so that it now looks like it would have when issued out to the troops some 90+ years ago. I'm not sure, however, that I'm ready to start this practice with rifles in my own collection, but what we see here does look nice.

I would be interested in any feelings you guys have on whether or not the "in the white" components of Gew 98 and related WWI German rifles/carbines should be kept polished, or should be allowed to turn to the natural patina that is typically seen on such firearms.

[WhiteFeather]

yes, perhaps some parts of this rifle have been polished or cleaned recently. I'm agree with you, but with the inside estate of the barrel, i don't think this weapon saw the frond during the WWI. The inside of the barrel looks like new

But that don't answer my question, but thank you Alan for your opinion.

This weapon always stays a beautiful weapon and it's very hard to find a all matched number weapon
So i'm happy

[phild]

I would be interested in any feelings you guys have on whether or not the "in the white" components of Gew 98 and related WWI German rifles/carbines should be kept polished, or should be allowed to turn to the natural patina that is typically seen on such firearms.

There will be a range of opinions with that question, but my feeling is that there is no problem with cleaning rust/corrosion off of metal with a BRASS brush or something similar. I do not care for electric buffing or steel wool. Basically if the weapon had some basic maintenance performed on it every few years and/or good storage environment since WWI it would be in the condition shown...sadly few of these of had either and the neglect of 9 decades is evident.

[Johnny Peppers]

The biggest difference in bronze wool and steel wool is that bronze wool rubs off on the steel. Bronze wool cannot be used in the rust bluing process because of the contamination it leaves.
Bronze wool was developed for the boating industry where any residue left would not rust like steel wool when put in the water, but not because it was somehow less abrasive.
I'll bet the barrel is rust blued, and guess how they removed the rust during the bluing process? That's right, steel wool or powered wire wheels.

[SINGLE CLAW]

Brass Wool or Bronze Wool or Brass Brush Very Fine can be used but do not use oil , Use it Dry and then wipe off cleaned Areas with a rag and Apply Oil After Wards . Best Regards