Guns International #: 102016551

Category - Military Rifles - German - Military Rifles - Non-US

Category
Military Rifles - German
Military Rifles - Non-US

German Erfurt Karabiner 98az, dated 1917, 8x57mm, S/N 3782, All Matching, Rare Butt Plate Mark "M.G.A.1.63." (Machine Gun Unit)

Description:
Offered for sale is one (1) German WW1 Erfurt Karabiner 98az, caliber 8x57 Mauser, Dated 1917, S/N 3782 all matching throughout.  Numerous Imperial stamps are stamped on both the metal and wood components, including the top of the hand guard, behind the grip, and butt stock right side.  Not pictured, but serial numbered with either two or four digits, would include the buttplate, rear sight base/tangent leaf, both barrel bands, stacking rod, front sight hood, and large floorplate screws.  Bore has strong rifling, and some fine pitting, rating a 8.0 against a mint bore.  Included with the carbine is a post WW1 sling 2 hole eyelet, most likely police. Unlike the Model 98, which was built on a large ring receiver (1.410"), the M98 carbines, which this is one, were made on a small ring receiver (1.300").  The 98 AZ differs from the Gewehr 98 in the length of the barrel, the design of the stock, and a simple tangent leaf rear sight.  The 98AZ has a half sphere bolt handle turned downwards against  recess in the stock.  With the underside of the bolt knob being checkered.  German rifle stocks were to be made from walnut, but as the war progressed, shortages occurred.  This shortage of walnut forced other woods to be used, such as beech, birch, or maple.  Guns stocks will be marked with a large "B" (beech or birch) or "A" (maple) stamped on the flat of the stock near the butt plate.  This example S/N 3782, has a large "B" stamped on the right side of the butt stock forward of the butt plate.  Unit marking were applied into the top surface of the butt plate, since the 98 AZ was never made with the special pre-1915 butt marking-disc. This example S/N 3782 is marked with a very desirable stamp, "M.G.A.1.63."   This abbreviation stood for Maschinengewehr-Abteilung (Machine Gun Detachment, Regiment 1, Gun #63).  An excellent book on WW1 unit marking is by author Jeff Noll titled "The Imperial German Regimental Marking".  On page 18, the author states the following: "Machine gun company strength was initially only one company per Infantry Regiment but was increased to three companies beginning in 1916.  Overall wood and metal condition is very good plus.  From the book "The German Rifle" by John Walter,  the author on page 124 states "Most of the surviving guns were sold or destroyed after the 1918 Armistice, although small numbers were retained for the post-Versailles 100,000-man German Army.  This 105 year old veteran of WW1 is in very good condition for the environmental conditions it must have been in.
For sale in lower 48 states USA.  Shipping INCLUDED.  If Alaska, that would have to be determined.  I ship through a local dealer, so once payment is received/cleared, they will contact you for the license.  Or include it with the payment.  I have more pictures, should you like to see a different part or aspect of the 98az.

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes