Lot 3545: Mauser Anti-Tank Rifle 13 mm

Very good with 30% of the original blue finish showing areas of brown patina and scattered dings and scratches. The stock is fair with several deep gouges on the right side of the butt, numerous scattered dings, dents and dark stains. The safety switch is absent, but it is otherwise mechanically very good.

Manufactured by the Germans in 1917 and 1918 in response to Allied tank assaults, the Mauser Tankgewehr 18, or "Elefant-Buechse", was the first dedicated man-portable anti-tank weapon. Weighing in at 37 pounds, the T-Gewehr was capable of penetrating the armor of the day and could disable an enemy vehicle in 6-10 shots. A historically important weapon, the T-Gewehr gave birth to the anti-tank rifle and was the grandfather of the modern anti-material rifle. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with matching numbers on the barrel, receiver, bolt components, bolt catch, barrel band, trigger guard and stock, the Mauser banner over "1918" on the receiver ring, and a smooth two-piece pistol grip stock. With a swiveling steel bipod that mounts to the barrel band.