1145

SCARCE IMPERIAL GERMAN WW1 MODEL 1918 TANKGEWEHR

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
SCARCE IMPERIAL GERMAN WW1 MODEL 1918 TANKGEWEHR
BOLT ACTION SINGLE SHOT ANTI-TANK RIFLE. Cal. 13X92SR. S# 5067. All visible numbers match. Developed during WW1 by the Imperial German Army to give soldiers a way to cope w/ the increasing number of Allied tanks this massive rifle was the first specifically designed anti-tank gun. (The powerful 13mm cartridge was originally designed to be used in a machine gun which never reached production. It used a bullet weighing 795 grains & traveling at a muzzle velocity of 2560 fps giving a penetration of approximately 1" of armor at 100 meters. This allowed penetration of most of the tanks of this era.) Approximately 16,000 of these guns were manufactured before production was halted early in 1919. The massive receiver is fitted with a 39" barrel. The receiver is marked on top of the ring with the Mauser "banner" and "1918". The right side of the receiver and barrel have "Imperial Proofs".The left side of the receiver & barrel have "eagle" acceptance marks. Barrel marked on bottom ahead of forend "KK". The barrel is fitted with a tangent rear sight graduated to 500 meters. Inverted "V" front sight. The massive bolt has four locking lugs, straight bolt handle and Mauser "flag" type safety. The elm stock has a 2 piece construction similar to the Japanese Arisaka rifles. There is a separate wooden pistol grip to allow better control for the firer. Stock markings behind the trigger guard include S# & imperial monograms. Buttplates were not fitted to these rifles. The forend has a barrel band which serves as a mount for a bipod. The bipods used on these rifles were the same as those used on the MG 08-15 light machine guns. This unmarked example is an early model with stamped legs. Later models used tubular legs which were more durable. CONDITION: the stock has the wear to be expected on a rifle which has seen heavy use. There are scratches & handling marks through-out w/ small missing chips around the butt. There is a notable approx. 4 inch crack on the left side of the comb. The dovetail seam on the sides of the buttstock has opened a small amount and has been filled to prevent opening further. The bright receiver has been lightly cleaned. The bolt has a cleaned appearance as well. The balance of the metal has a thinning blue turning gray w/ small handling marks. Notable area of oxidation & light pitting on right side of barrel by forend tip. The bipod has traces of its original green painted finish w/ wear & light oxidation through-out. Bore has a dark oxidized appearance w/ worn lands. PROVENANCE STATEMENT: from the Estate Collection of Thomas J. Mulligan. (23-1258/RW). CURIO. $6,000-9,000.