Early 1900s German Rifle

Question

Rifle  

Engraving   I just inherited this rifle and I'm really interested in any info you can give me on it.  As it says on the stamp it was manufactured in Berlin by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken.  It also has a number "459" stamped on the action which I understand has to do with the type of ammo the gun uses???  Anyway, it belonged to my Grandfather in the 1930's - 40's and went to my uncle when he died.  My uncle died a few years ago so it went to my dad who is giving in to me.  The sight is not original to the gun (it was used as a deer hunting rifle for years).  Not so much interested in value (I won't ever sell it).  I'm just trying to piece together the story behind it.  Anything you can tell me about this weapon?

Answer
Hi Sean,

Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken was also called DWM.  It was founded in 1896.  They were a large manufacturer of rifles that used the Mauser action.  They literally manufactured thousands of these rifles that primarily ended up in Latin America.

DWM used a proprietary cartridge code to identify the caliber of the gun.  I looked through the entire listing of their codes and could not find a "459"  The closest I could find is a "457" which would make it a 6.5mm x 54mm cartridge.  Is it possible that the "9" is actually a "7" with a dash through the downward leg of the number.  This would be a typical way of representing a "7" in a european context.

DWM was taken over by a company called Quandt in 1929, so most likely your rifle dates prior to that.  

Since you didn't tell me about any other markings on the gun, I really can't tell you too much more.  If there are other marking or notations, I can probably give you some more details.

Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

Regards,

Doug Little