Deactivated 1903 Dated Mauser Gew98 Rifle

This is a rare early production Mauser manufactured Gew98 rifle. Dated 1903, it has a serial number of 3957 with no letter suffix, meaning it is gun number 3957th from that years production. Mauser's production figures state that from 1890 to 1906 they delivered just 199,000 rifles in total to the Germany army. That's on average around 28,428 per year!! This rifle has matching numbers throughout with the exception of the bolt which is matched to itself. On the right side of the rifle is a shrapnel strike which has glanced off the woodwork and struck across the rear sights. On the underside of the barrel are the barrel suppliers markings B.I. = Bismarckhutte with a serial number 142, and the German acceptance stamps. These markings would normally be lost during the deactivation process however, We have avoided them so that they can be preserve. A rare survivor from WW1 that has definitely seen active service. 

Deactivated to current specifications with a moving bolt and trigger. This rifle is available and is currently at the proof house being certificated.