Danzig mod 1898 sporting rifle with mauser butt

[koyli]

Hello forum members,

i'm about to exchange my Wather G43 for a Danzig mod.1898 sporting rifle (with double trigger and original scope mount). However, this sporting rifle has an early mauser K98K butt (instead of his original).
Is there somone who knows of the German Army used this type of rifle as a sniper rifle during WW II.

Greetings

Steven

[Alan Smith]

I don't know about monetary values where you live, but here in the U.S. the trade you propose would put you very much on the "short" side of the deal. Just going on generalities, your G-43 rifle (if anywhere close to correct as-issued condition) would be a much more desirable item (and worth more money) than the sporting arm you describe. Also, I am not aware of the Imperial arsenal at Danzig ever making any sporting arms, so I bet what you are looking at is a "sporterized" (i.e. cut down; altered; butchered) pre-WWI Gew 98 military rifle.

Unless you just really care nothing for the G-43 and are ready to simply toss it away, I suggest that you engage in some due dilligence to make sure that you are getting a fair trade for your rifle.

Good luck.

[Craig W.C. Brown]

Is left siderail marked: Gewehrfabrik Danzig? I

[DennyB]

Alan is giving you good advice. Sounds like you are about to trade a $3,000 rifle for a $300 rifle.

[Aktivisti]

Steven,

I think that at least SS troops have used just about any and all German scoped rifles in 7,92 mm Mauser, but it doesn't proof that this is the case here.

A fine original condition Danzig Mod.98 sporting rifle with a period scope could be a $3,000 rifle, but w/o scope and K98k stock, I sure wouldn't trade unless your G43 is in a really sad shape.

PS. Denny and Alan - you guys need to do your homework. Danzig Arsenal did produce fine sporter rifles (w/ small ring 98AZ action) during 1918-19.

[Alan Smith]

Yes, when I saw Craig's inquiry I realized that I was about to learn something here. This is an exciting prospect, as one of my primary reasons for participating in this Forum is to learn about firearms and related items that I was not previously familiar with.

I would very much enjoy seeing photos or additional information on the Danzig-produced sporting rifles.

[DennyB]

From the way it was described it sure sounds like a sporterized rifle to me which are not worth what a untampered with rifle is worth. Lets see some photographs of the rifle.

[koyli]

As far as I know there isn't much info available on Danzig sporting rifles. All my knowledge comes from collectiblefirearms.com. There's on for sale on this site but it's gonna cost you more than $300. My G43 is worth about €2000 (approx. $3000). however the rifle that I'm about to obtain has issues (no scope an a mauser stock, so a trade is maybe not a good idea.
If needed I can alway sell my car to buy me a proper K98K sniper rifle

Thanks to you all for your comments

Greetings

Steven

[Craig W.C. Brown]

I haven't seen any authoritative study of the Gewehrfabrik Danzig sporters (if that is what this is). They do turn up in the USA from time to time and usually run $1500 to $3000 asking price in original condition with original steel buttplate and optics. The one referenced above has been on the market at least two years, been dragged to any number of shows, and not sold yet...
If you watch the closing scene of the original ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT the French sniper is evidently armed with one of these. They are 7,9x57, with bent bolts, double triggers, half-stocked and very light with a narrow butt profile and thin wrist prone to breakage and I can tell you from experience they give quite a jolt when fired with service 7,9 ammo. The ones I've seen have Gerard optics with the usual sniper-type T reticle. They were evidently produced in some quantity after WWI on Danzig Arsenal machinery in Danzig before the machinery was dismantled and shipped out.

[DennyB]

Was it ever determined that this was a Danzig Sporting Rifle or a Danzig produced military rifle that has been sporterized? I would still like to see photos at the risk of being accused of being under-educated again.

[Craig W.C. Brown]

Danzig Arsenal through the end of 1918 did not produce sporters for the civilian trade - it was a government arsenal, along with Amberg, Erfurt, and Spandau.
Danzig militaries (starting with the G88) are marked across the top of the receiver with a crown over DANZIG over the year of manufacture.
The sporters are marked along the side of the receiver: Gewehrfabrik Danzig.