I saw this extremely quaint 98 sporter and it followed me home

[JDZincavage]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=454914310

I actually think the Black Forest? Tyrolean? stock carvings are charming, but I tend to think that I could take a Simson Suhl WWI 98 Mauser action out of the stock and sell it for more than this one went for.

[sharps4590]

That is an interesting piece! Quaint is apt....I rather enjoy the carving and inlays.

[JDZincavage]

I may have more to say about it after the rifle actually arrives next week.

[mike ford]

Except for the shortened barrel(if it was shortened)and bolt handle, rather than a custom rifle, this looks more like an example of "foxhole art" or "trench art" by a WW1 soldier that was also a hunter, and had some time on his hands. Just an opinion, w/o any proof. From the subject of the carvings, for sure a German soldier.
Mike

[JDZincavage]

Or Austrian, as in the Tyrol. (Though no chamois.)

If it were trench art, I think I'd expect to see regimental & patriotic symbols, and possibly French or British soldiers instead of deer, a rabbit, and a fox. I would guess the soldier brought home his Mauser and adapted it for hunting, proudly depicting his native flora & fauna, and adding his "PT" initials.

[Peter K]

Picture 16 - The artist was familiar with the story of St. Hubertus. It's a very nice piece of collectible folk art. It would be nice if there were a way of discovering who the artist was and what is the story associated with this firearm.
Peter

[JDZincavage]

It would be wonderful if the old Mauser could talk. Unfortunately, the Gun Broker dealer had no provenance at all. I expect the rifle was confiscated by some GI and brought home from Europe after WWII. The GI who brought it home is now almost certainly just as dead as "PT" the original post-WWI owner.

[Peter K]

It may have been brought over by a GI but having been made in 1917 and from the condition of the stock-lack of scrapes and dents-one could speculate that it was't involved in WW II. Also, the marks on the butt plate don't look like normal regimental marks. You'll have lots of fun with this one when you get it in hand. Be sure to share.