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LOT 1509
Desirable World War I German Mauser Tankgewehr Bolt Action
Anti-Tank Rifle - Serial no. 5839, 13.2mm TuF cal., 39 inch round bbl., blue/bright finish, hardwood stock.
Manufactured by the Mauser company during the war in 1917 and 1918 as Germany’s response to Allied tank assaults, the Mauser Tankgewehr M1918,
also known as the “Elefant-Buechse”, was the first dedicated man-portable anti-tank weapon. Weighing in at approximately 41 pounds loaded with a
bipod (not included), the massive T-Gewehr packed plenty of punch, well capable of penetrating the armor of the day, and could reportedly disable
an enemy vehicle in 6-10 shots or knock out tank crew members with spalling. A historically important weapon, the T-Gewehr gave birth to the
anti-tank rifle and was the grandfather of the modern anti-material rifle. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with matching numbers on the barrel, receiver, bolt components, barrel band, rear sight, bolt catch, trigger guard and stock, the Mauser banner over “1918” date on the receiver ring, and a smooth two-piece pistol grip stock with various crown stamps. These rifles are exempt from NFA provisions as specified in section III of the official ATF Curios or Relics list.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% original blue finish showing areas thinned to a smooth brown patina on the balance, a gray patina on the receiver with mild spotting, areas of old dried grease, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. The stock is also fine with scattered dents and scratches, an area of separation visible on the right of the buttstock, and defined stampings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 1510
Documented World War II German K98 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Double Claw Scope Pictured in Law Sniper Book - Serial no. 3343, 7.92 mm Mauser cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, laminate stock. This is a very fine example of an early WWII K98 rifle manufactured by the Steyr
factory that was converted into a double claw sniper rifle using high objective type commercial scope mounts along with a “B. Nickel” commercial scope. This exact rifle is pictured in the book “Sniper Variations” by Richard Law on pages 126. The rifle was probably manufactured
circa 1940/41 as the barrel is marked “321 40 Bo,” indicating it was manufactured with a Bohler steel barrel dated 1940, and it has a cupped sheet
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SNIPER VARIATIONS BY LAW
370
metal buttplate with a laminated stock and handguard set. The receiver is numbered has no letter suffix. The right side of the receiver ring has four WaA623 Waffenamt proofs, and a single firing proof is on the left side of the barrel and receiver. The right side of the rear sight base also has multiple WaA623 Waffenamts as do the trigger guard and floor plate, all indicative of the Steyr factory. The scope bases and mounts are typical of the objective mounting system that is slightly higher and does not cut a dovetail through the front receiver ring with a double claw base on the front and rear receiver ring. The scope has a corresponding set of double claw rings. The scope as noted is a very rare early commercial version that was manufactured by the “Nickel” company. It is very unique in that it has both elevation and windage knobs on the scope tube. It also has the traditional German windage adjustments in the rear scope ring/ base. It is marked on top of the scope “B.NICKEL/MARBURG” with the scope tube numbered “6017” on top. It has the standard milled barrel bands, trigger guard
and floor plate, which are numbered to the rifle. This scarce rifle is complete with a WWII smooth leather sling, cleaning rod, winter trigger, and leather scope caps. Also included is a very rare, original Waffenamt proofed, commercial leather scope case. The case is approximately 2 1/2 X 2 inches square and 12 inches long. The lid of the case has a clear sharp “Eagle/WaA159” Waffenamt proof. CONDITION: Very fine overall with 80% of the blue finish on the metal parts with wear and blue loss on the barrel band and front exposed area of the barrel with thinning and blue
loss on the edges of the scope bases and receiver area. The scope retains 50% of its blue finish with most of the blue thinning on the center section of the scope tube with both the objective and ocular ends having 95% of their blue finish and clear sharp optics. The windage and elevation knobs both work correctly. The scope case is in very good condition with 90% plus of the original outer leather surface showing age cracking and flaking on the sides of the scope case. The leather strap has broken. The rifle has matching numbers
on the various parts except the scope which is unnumbered and the bolt which has been renumbered to match the rifle. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000