WWI Bolt action Rifle Identification

[WinkingTiger]

This is a picture of my great grandfather who fought in WWI. (for the Allies)

The picture was taken between 1914-1918.

I need assistance in identifying this rifle.
It looks sort of like a mosin-nagant.

Any ideas?

 

[jerkface11]

Looks like a Mauser to me.

 

[Pigspitter]

I'm also gonna say that it looks like a spanish mauser

 

[rcmodel]

+1 on Mauser.

But judging from the studio back-drop painting, I would say it was not his weapon, but a prop rifle provided by the photographer.

rcmodel

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I agree it's a Mauser, but could be either a 98 or a 96. Can't see the action well enough to say which one. My guess it, as rcmodel said, that it's a prop provided by the photographer, which is highly likely. If the photo was taken in france, there's a good chance it's a 98 rather than a 96, as the 98 is what the Germans were carrying and what was likely to be captured by the French and put into circulation in the civilian population.

Dave

 

[aka108]

GEW 98. Mauser. Lange sight was used on them.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

My first thought was Gewehr 98.

 

[Kalashnikov]

A Mauser of some sort.

 

[bannockburn]

vsixpack

I think rcmodel and Dave have got it right; probably a French studio as the artillery piece in the back drop looks a lot like a French 75.

 

[Float Pilot]

Yeap, photo studio prop OR capture trophy.

The way he is holding it and the look in his eyes suggest capture trophy to me.

"Look at this,, you Huns!"

 

[Slamfire]

GEW 98. It is mostly like a prop, along with the stage background. Look at how long the rifle is in relation to the Doughboy. I bet he was around 5’ 7” tall.

I have not seen too many pictures of WWI Doughboys with a stage background. Most of the pictures I have seen were of Soldiers direct out of boot, taken before they were in theater. I don’t see any over seas stripes on the guys left sleeve.

Since he is an American you can figure 1917-1919. We had occupation troops, but almost all our troops were out of Europe before 1920.

 

[Trebor]

I agree that it's a German G 98 Mauser.

I think it is most likely a prop provided by the studio. It makes sense, if you think about it. Any soldier who wanted a commercial portrait wouldn't have their own issue rifle with them when they were "out on the town," so the studio would have rifles to use as props. The fact that it's a German rifle makes sense as well. Where would a French photographer get a US Springfield 1903, for instance, or even a French Lebel as that was the current French issue piece. But, a captured German rifle, bought locally, could be easily acquired, especially if it was after the Armistance.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Yep. Trophy Mauser as a prop, French 75 and caisson backdrop. Probably taken in France.

 

[Vaarok]

Definitely a Gew98.

 

[Mauserguy]

Vaarok nailed it. It's a Gewer. Vaarok has one nice looking gun there.
Mauserguy