September 15, 16, & 17, 2026 Firearms & Militaria

All > Firearms > Rifle-Antique > Bolt Action

Bidding

This truly exceptional German sporting rifle was manufactured by Spandau Arsenal in 1898, as is inlaid in silver "GEWEHRFABRIK / SPANDAU / 1898" under the imperial crown on the bolt shroud. It features a very smooth action developed by Louis Schlegelmilch, the lead armorer at Spandau, which was initially trialed against the 1898 Mauser as the Model 1896. This design utilizes a barrel extension that interfaces directly with the double bolt lugs, allowing the barrel to be easily swapped. The rust blued, sporting taper barrel is numbered "1" at the breech. It is fitted with a petite drift adjustable blade front sight on a checkered ramped base, as well as a v-notch rear sight which appears to be missing a second leaf. The tang is also mounted with a pop up adjustable aperture rear sight. The checkered spoon handle bolt and components are numbered "1". Gun feeds from an internal magazine and is fitted with a charger guide. Hinged, quick detachable bottom metal assembly fitted with double set triggers. Classic Schnabel tipped walnut sporting stock with checkered round knob grip and steel widow's peak butt plate. A felt lined trapdoor cartridge compartment for a clip of ammunition is inletted into the toeline. Rifle has sling swivels, the forward swivel sweated onto the barrel. It is believed this rifle was made for Kaiser Wilhelm II's personal use. Three such Schlegelmilch sporters have come to light, two rifles and a carbine, numbered "1", "2", and "3". All of which are nicely appointed but remain practical for the hunt, as the Kaiser preferred. These rifles were most likely military prototypes retrofitted for him. A 1913 article in "Wild und Hund", "The Hunting Guns of the Kaiser" as translated by Dietrich Apel discusses the 24 shotguns and 32 rifles in the Kaisers collection. Most notably "are the 8mm carbines (picture 11) which were produced by the gun factory Spandau using the Sclegelmilch-Spandau design; these guns which were only used on hunts by the royal court..." According to a copy of a letter from former owner, aviator and gunsmith Captain John Miller, this rifle was liberated by a GI from the Spandau Imperial Arms Museum. Shortly after the War, the gentleman visited him from New York City asking if he could mount a scope to it. Miller, having determined the rifle to be of some significance, traded another Model 98 rifle he had sporterized for it. The rifle later won the NRA Cup at the Sixth Gold Medal Concours d' Elegance of Fine Guns and was displayed at the NRA museum for over a decade. It is the subject of detailed articles "The Spandau Sporting Rifle, Serial No. 1" by Dietrich Apel in Der Waffenschmied No. 14, Summer 2002, and "The Hunting Guns of the German Kaiser" by Apel in Der Waffenschmied No. 17, Spring 2003, also gracing the cover of that issue. Gun is accompanied by copies of these publications and a large file of research and provenance. CONDITION: Excellent. Rifle retains approximately 95% of its original blue with some mild use evident, especially towards the muzzle. A few dings are present with a an area on the bolt shroud cleaned with some finish added. Stocks show expected field impressions and nicks. Bore is bright with well defined rifling. Especially fine, very smooth mechanics. A very attractive and important German sporting rifle from Kaiser Wilhelm II arms collection.

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $6,000.00 Current Bid: $9,000.00 Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000 Number Bids: 4	Please register or login if you want to bid.

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