A friend gave me a Deutsche Waffen-Vnd / Munitionsfabriren / BERLIN 1917 / GEW 98 is this a rifle that I should put back in the safe and forget about or is it a project action for a big bore ? Thanks Bill

Well, they did make a lot of them!

Condition, really, is EVERYTHING in my opinion. If the outside is pitted, the sights all rusted up, the bore worn or pitted, the serial numbers don't match...then use it for a project.

The ONLY exception would be if, no matter how bad, it has some verifiable history of how it got to the US. Was it a captured weapon? If so do you have a picture of the soldier that captured it and any other "relics" of him?

If it is all matching, good bore, no external pitting then, yes, I'd put it back in the safe and not cut it or modify it.

Good clear close up photos would tell us a lot.

Thanks Guys ! It seems in good condition but I did notice the trigger guard was redrilled on the front not sure way that was done unless they put a bunch togather out of left over parts. But it was bought in the late fiftys or early sixtys at Montgomery Wards.

OK. So it's got not history as in "captured at Argonne" so it now depends on condition and the market for complete Imperial German WWI Mauser rifles.

Although they made a lot, they aren't (not actually strictly true) making anymore like that. The historic rifle guys will curse you for cutting it.

Maybe you can "swap" it for an action - with one of these historic guys through a classified advertisement - that someone else wants rid of with a cash adjustment in your favour?

It is a shame if it is all matching and in good order to cut it up when America must be awash with Mauser actions of lesser historic value.