The Einwohnerwehr Bayern (EWB) of Bavaria was a short-lived paramilitary style home guard in Germany following WWI. It was formed under the Reishswehr in late 1919 to quell post war insurgencies (communist), and was demobilized in early 1921, as its organization was found to be in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
The EWB was issued with equipment from pistols through light artillery, and grew quickly to 200,000 members. Following its disbandment, many of the member's arms were never turned in. I believe that the following 1918 Amberg GEW 98 could have been one of the Mauser infantry rifles which were retained and hidden by a civilian, as it shows no sign of refinish, upgrades or post-war arsenal refurbishment. Aside from a duffel cut, missing front band spring, missing lock screw, and replacement rear action screw, it appears to be (nearly) complete, and in excellent original condition.
(And, yes. The blued receiver is correct for mid-1918.)
It's quite easy to recognize, even from a distance, with the large EWB letters branded into the beech buttstock. Brown E scratched his name on the left side, and likely brought the rifle home with him after WWII.
There are lots of little marks and features, so lots of pics! Enjoy and thanks for looking.
EWB GEW 98 Mauser - Amberg 1918 in Original Finish
EWB GEW 98 Mauser - Amberg 1918 in Original Finish
No words of wisdom come to mind at this time....
- Junk Yard Dog
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Re: EWB GEW 98 Mauser - Amberg 1918 in Original Finish
Very nice, good to see another one. Mine is 1906 Spandau EWB on the stock same as yours. My receiver is in the white, no duffel cut, it's amazing the lengths they went to numbers match these rifles. Even the screws have the two digits of the serial number on them. I spent 25 years looking for the right GEW98 in a world full of Bubba's who loved these rifles, finally found it in 2007 on the Old Board from Noble Sniper. I don't remember were he turned it up.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Re: EWB GEW 98 Mauser - Amberg 1918 in Original Finish
That is very nice. Congratulations.
"The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." - Albert Camus
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Re: EWB GEW 98 Mauser - Amberg 1918 in Original Finish
Amazing gun!
M91/30 1940 Izhevsk
Oct 1944 Springfield Armory M1 Garand
Czech post war K98k
Izawa Jyuko Series 9 Type 99
SMLE No.1 Mk.III 1918 "peddled scheme"
Oct 1944 Springfield Armory M1 Garand
Czech post war K98k
Izawa Jyuko Series 9 Type 99
SMLE No.1 Mk.III 1918 "peddled scheme"
Re: EWB GEW 98 Mauser - Amberg 1918 in Original Finish
It is nice and a really nice find too. Congratulations.
Burrhead
Burrhead
- Longcolt44
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Re: EWB GEW 98 Mauser - Amberg 1918 in Original Finish
Another beauty.
FREEDOM...USE IT OR LOSE IT!!