1915 Spandau Gewehr 98 30” Barrel in 8mm Mauser Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,200
WOA#: WY240227PE010
Make: Gewehr/Spandau
Model: Model 1915 Gewehr 98 Rework
Serial Number: 7955
Year of Manufacture: 1915
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver has “Gew .98” The barrel extension has. “7955 / SPANDAU 1915” with a German eagle among several more proof marks. The bolt has, “867 / 7955 / 67 / 67” with proof marks, the baseplate has,”23” with a proof mark. The barrel band is marked, “5087” The barrel is marked, “7,92 / 7955 / S” with proof marks.
Barrel Length: 30”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post set atop a knurled base mounted to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch blade attached to a sliding escalator assembly.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This rifle has a smooth two piece wood stock with a sloped comb, semi-pistol grip, steel buttplate, and extended forend. There is a multitude of various pressure dents, scratches, and there are small chunks missing by the butt plate. The are the beginning of cracks by the buttplate and the top of the forend has been replaced. The LOP is 13.25” The stock rates in about Good overall condition for a C&R.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to factory rework
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray and the rifling is sharp. There is some erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6/10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish as factory refinished. There are scuffs, scratches, and loss of finish on various parts. The barrel, bottom metal, and barrel band appear to be factory replaced. The non-replaced parts have light patina and little to no finish. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Spandau Gewehr 98, also known simply as the Gewehr 98 (G98), is a renowned bolt-action rifle that originated in Germany. Designed by the Mauser company, it was adopted by the German Empire in 1898 and served as the standard-issue infantry rifle during World War I.
The Gewehr 98 is celebrated for its robust design, reliability, and accuracy. It features a strong, Mauser-type action, a five-round internal magazine loaded with stripper clips, and is chambered in the powerful 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge, known as 8mm Mauser. Its long barrel and sight radius contributed to its accuracy, making it effective at long ranges.
One distinctive feature of the Gewehr 98 is its “Lange Visier” (long sight), a tangent rear sight that could be adjusted for distances up to 2,000 meters, although engagements at such ranges were rare in practice. The rifle’s design influenced many subsequent bolt-action rifles and remains highly regarded among firearms enthusiasts and collectors.
During World War I, the Gewehr 98 played a significant role on the Western and Eastern Fronts, where it proved its effectiveness in combat. After the war, many surplus Gewehr 98 rifles were distributed to other countries or sold on the civilian market. They saw further service in conflicts such as the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and various post-colonial wars.
Overall, the Spandau Gewehr 98 represents a pinnacle of late 19th-century rifle design and played a crucial role in shaping the development of bolt-action rifles for the following century. Its reputation for reliability, accuracy, and durability endures to this day, and it remains a symbol of German military engineering prowess during the early 20th century. -R.E.
