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1915 Mauser Gewehr 98 Bolt Action Rifle

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Created by

    Mauser, German, founded 1811

    Used by

    Cpl. Lawrence Leslie McVey, Sr., American, 1897 - 1968

    Subject of

    369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945

    Description

    1915 Mauser Gewehr 98 Bolt Action Rifle found in Germany by Corporal Lawrence McVey during World War I. The Gewehr 98 rifle has a bolt action system that has two locking lugs just behind the bolt head. The rifle has a long metal barrel attached to the main body of the gun that is comprised of wood and metal pieces. The trigger guard is adjustable with numbers written on all sides and an adjustable locking lug. The rifle ends in a long wooden shoulder hold, in a triangular shape, with a notch cut out from the top. There are inscriptions on many parts of the rifle. On the top of the bolt, is the manufacture's name and location, [7.90 / WAFFENFABRIK / MAUSER. A.-G. / OFERNDORF A/N. /1915 l 16]. On the side of the loading bolt is the type of rifle, [GEW 98.] Under the barrel are the identifying numbers, [ 66 / 2766]. Attached to the middle of the rifle, where the barrel meets the body is a leather strap that has adjustable holes throughout for the metal hinge to attach. The leather has deteriorated and become detached at the shoulder of the rifle but the metal attachment remains on the body.

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina McVey

    Date

    1915-1916

    Object number

    2019.8

    Restrictions & Rights

    No Known Copyright Restrictions
    Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    rifles (long guns)

    Medium

    wood and metal with leather

    Dimensions

    H x W x D (without strap): 4 7/8 × 49 1/4 × 1 3/4 in. (12.4 × 125.1 × 4.5 cm)
    H x W (strap): 34 × 1 1/4 in. (86.4 × 3.2 cm)

    Place made

    Oberndorf, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Europe

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Weapons and Ammunition

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Military
    World War I

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5dd2a5572-44d2-4c69-a635-b6df80405ad9

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2019.8

    Discover More

    Purple Heart medal.

    African American WWI Military Service

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