Had an interesting weekend to say the least. Found a local gun shop I had no idea existed and supposedly has been in the area for almost 5 years. They had all the typical AR15s and new hunting rifles that you would expect. They had very few surplus rifles but they were an interesting bunch. Of course they were very busy, and a group of early twenties guys were huddled around the surplus rifles. A couple of mosin nagants, a single Enfield No4 MK1, 2-3 Czech mausers and 4-5 Turkish mausers. Nothing I'm really looking for, or so I thought. The clerk pulls one of the mausers out and I immediately see the Lange Vizier. I stopped and looked on. The group of younger guys were arguing which would make a better deer rifle. As soon as the clerk put the GEW 98 back on the rack I asked another clerk to see it. Turns out it went to Turkey (no real surprise), but what is odd to me is the only Turkish markings are on the bolt sleeve, and some numbers just behind the rear sight. Not a single crescent moon in sight. None of the serial numbers match, but they are all imperial German marked. The bore is very clean and it has very strong rifling. Well I talked with the owner, worked out a deal, and saved this 1912 Spandau GEW 98 from becoming another Bubba special.
Still some flame bluing left under the front band (picture doesn't do it justice).
The marking on the barrel, and the maker mark.
It was put into a beech stock. Unfortunately this is the only stock cartouche to be legible.
Hope you guys like it as much as I do.
Bookmarks