This is a beautiful example of an original, unaltered WWI German Mauser Tankgewehr 18 (T-Gewehr). These are a fairly rare rifle because no-one wanted to bring one of these massive rifle home as war trophies so most of these were destroyed in accordance with the Versailles Treaty directly after the war. They were known as "Elefant-Buechse" (elephant rifle) by the German Army with the official designation of Tankgewehr 18 or T-Gewehr which could penetrate the armor of any Allied tank used during WWI. Some 15,800 T-Gewehr rifles were manufactured in 1918. These are a massive 37 pound, single shot, bolt action rifle that was designed from the standard Model 98 infantry rifle. They have a 16 inch long receiver that is made of solid steel with a 3 inch diameter front receiver ring. The top of the receiver is marked with the Mauser banner, and dated 1918. The left and right sides of the receiver have several "Imperial Eagle" acceptance proofs as well as on the rear section of the barrel, the complete bolt assembly, the trigger guard assembly and rear sight. The 38 inch taper barrel has a fixed, inverted "V" front sight and tangent rear sight graduated to 500 meters. The rifle has a two-piece walnut stock with pistol grip and it is complete with a detachable steel bipod is fitted to the underside of the barrel via the front barrel band. .