WWI German Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr 13.2MM TuF Single Shot Rifle Tankgewehr
SOLD FOR: $8725
WOA#: WY220928KC002
Make: Mauser
Model: 1918 T-Gewehr
Serial Number: 6353
Year of Manufacture: 1919-1940
Caliber: 13MM
Action Type: Single-Shot Bolt Action Rifle
Markings: There is a “7” on the safety. The charging handle is marked, “6353”. The left side of the Receiver is marked, “6353”. The left side of the barrel chamber is marked, “6353” with an indistinguishable proof mark. This rifle is heavily corroded with heavy pitting all over so any other markings are lost.
Barrel Length: Approximately 38.5”.
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a sliding adjustable U notch sight similar to the Mauser 98 sight but bigger and adjustable to 500 Meters. The front sight is a peaked Barleycorn also similar to the Gewehr 98.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is wood with a pistol grip. There is an MG 08/15 Bipod attached to the 08/15 Bipod Mount at the front of the stock. The Bipod mount is missing its pin to attach it to the stock. The stock has severe discoloration. There is a crack in the stock on the left side near the chamber of the barrel. There are other scratches and imperfections in the wood due to its age. Overall, the stock is in Fair condition as antique.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None, single shot only loaded through the ejection port.
Type of Finish: Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The Bore is severely Eroded with lots of corrosion present.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about almost none of its original finish. There is full coverage of pitting and thinning. Please see our photos for a better understanding of this rifles condition. Not recommended to be fired. The markings that are visible are somewhat legible.. Overall, this rifle is in Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Bipod (Pictured)
Our Assessment: The Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr, also known as the “Tankgewehr,” was a German anti-tank rifle used during World War I. It was the world’s first anti-tank rifle and was developed by Mauser in 1918, towards the end of the war.
The T-Gewehr used a 13mm caliber bullet that was designed to penetrate the armor of tanks, which were a relatively new weapon at the time. It was a single-shot, bolt-action rifle that was quite large and heavy, weighing almost 15 kg. It had a bipod for stability and a perforated barrel jacket to help cool the barrel during sustained firing.
The T-Gewehr saw limited use during World War I, as tanks were not yet widely used and the war ended before the rifle could be fully deployed. However, it did see some action in the Polish-Soviet War in 1919-1920 and was used by the Finnish Army during the Winter War against the Soviet Union in 1939-1940.
After World War I, the T-Gewehr was replaced by more modern anti-tank weapons, such as the Panzerbüchse 39, which was a semi-automatic rifle that used a smaller caliber bullet. Despite its limited use, the T-Gewehr was an important step in the development of anti-tank weapons and laid the foundation for future designs.
