(C) INCREDIBLY SCARCE AND DESIRABLE WORLD WAR I GERMAN

This is the earliest model of the infamous German T-Gewher anti-tank rifles. The first Tank Abwehr Gewehr weapon to be developed by Mauser had a 36" long barrel that had a wall thickness of 8.5mm at the muzzle. The weapon weighed approximately 40 pounds with an overall length of 63". Further testing and development revealed that the wall thickness of the barrel could be reduced and the barrel length increased for additional muzzle velocity. The early weapon was designated as the Kurz (short) model. Only approximately 300 of these Kurz models were produced. This gun is dated 1918 on top of the receiver under the standard Banner Mauser marking. Marked "KURZ" on the left side of the barrel. Matching serial number of 86 throughout. Single shot, bolt action. Proper style "tubular" bipod. CONDITION: Very good with a pleasing patina overall, approximately 30% original blue in protected areas and on the trigger guard. All markings are sharp and clear. Sharp stock cartouches. Wood is very good with dings and handling marks, shows wear as would be expected on a gun of this age and size. No breaks or cracks in wood, although there is a small piece that is missing from the very front of the right side of the stock. Fine mechanical function. Bore is fine with sharp, well defined rifling. This is an amazingly scarce model, the only "Kurz" or short model of this historic World War I bolt action rifle ever observed in the American collector market. If some other collector has another one of these early models in the United States, please call or email Morphy Auctions and let us know. JWK 2020-11-056 Accessories: Bipod Barrel Length: 36" Caliber/Bore: 13.2mm FFL Status: Curio & Relic Manufacturer: Mauser Model: Tankgewehr Serial Number: 86