T-Gewehr 13mm

Mauser Tank Rifle M1918 / Tankgewehr Mauser M1918

• Scale / Maßstab: 1:15th / 120mm
• Material: Resin
• Parts / Teile: 15
• Code: IS24
• Weight / Gewicht: 12 g
• Price / Preis: 9,75 EUR

Contents / Inhalte:

• T-rifle (3 parts: main stock, barrel and bolt) / T-Gewehr (3 Teile: Hauptteil, Lauf und Verschluß)
• Bipod / Zweibein
• 5 x Empty 13mm Rounds / 5 Stck. Leere 13mm Patronen
• 4 x Full 13mm Rounds / 4 Stck. 13mm Patronen
• 2 x Ammunition Holders (1 x open) / 2 Stck. Munitionstashen (1 x Offen)

Mauser Tank Rifle: Tankgewehr Mauser M1918. Designed and produced in the Mauser factory at Oberndorf as a short-term answer to the new tank threat. This single shot bolt-action weapon was the world’s first anti-tank rifle. Total length 168 cm, weight with 08/15 MG bipod attached 17.1 Kg. Nicknamed the Elefantenbüchse, or Elephant-rifle at Mauser. At the Front this weapon was too heavy, the recoil too strong and the penetration when used against armour insufficient (most of the allied tanks were stopped by direct or indirect artillery fire).

In action these rifles were used either with the 08/15 MG bipod (the original bipod designed for this weapon was seldom employed) or mainly without – the rifle being placed on top of the trench wall/parapet. Due to the considerable recoil and only when practical the gunners would change over roles after every 2 – 3 rounds, engaging the enemy armour at as close a range as possible.

In the instruction manual for the rifle it is stated that both gunner No. 1 and 2 should be chosen for their size and strength. They should also be determined, cool-headed and good shots. The employment of the T-Gewehr in groups of 3 or individually depends on the tactical situation and lay of the ground. The use of the T-Gewehr in combination with special armoured piercing SmK bullets for MG increases the success.

Common sights on original guns are the small indents/damages on the left hand side of the wooden butt (just behind the narrow part) caused by the rim of the gunner’s steel helmet denting the rifle furniture on recoil. On the model rifle this has been reproduced. The separate bolt can either be built in the open or closed position. Either separate the bolt and fix accordingly, or even better drill out the rear part of the breech (2mm hand drill). Here a small central indent has been placed for assistance. If possible and if the drill bit is long enough, then drill into the rear of the barrel a few mms as well. This will enable the bolt to function as in the original. The 13mm rounds supplied with the figure will fit into the breech. At the front end of the bolt are the 3 discharge vents, which enabled excess gasses to be released when firing. Colour: the wooden stock and pistol grip are today quite dark on rifles found in museums etc. One would assume that during the last few months of the war when these weapons first appeared, they still would have had light coloured wood. All other parts were a dark gun- metal, the bolt, especially the handle were generally shinier. 13mm case – brass. Bullet head – dark copper.

Tip: in order to achieve a smoother function of the bolt moving in and out of the chamber one can apply some sanded down pencil lead with an old paintbrush. This will not only lubricate the parts, but also give it a natural shiny appearance, just like the original.

Standard MG 08/15 Bipod: MG08/15 Zweibein. This entirely new pressed-steel lightweight bipod was to replace the large and heavy sled mounts used with the MG 08 and allowed for a 180° traverse. It had a universal attachment fitting, which could be fitted to the 08/15 MG as well the Mauser T-Gewehr– Mauser anti-tank rifle. Colour: dark green

Ammunition Holder: Munitionstashe. In accordance with German Army Tank Rifle regulation the Gunner No.1 would carry a holder with 20 x 13mm rounds of ammunition. Gunner No. 2, or the reserve gunner is issued 2 holders (1 on each hip) and carries a wooden crate with an extra 79 rounds. These canvas holders are a rare and sought after collector’s item. The holders were modelled from pictures taken of an existing item at the Army Museum in Brussels, Belgium. It is made out of khaki canvas and has 2 metal buttons at the front. One of the holders has the flap lifted up revealing the brass 13mm rounds inside. A simple canvas strap would normally be with the holders – this has not been constructed.