Original German Inter-War Reichswehr Soldier Firing Gewehr 98 Statue on Marble Base - 11½” Tall

Original Item. Only One Available. The Reichswehr was the official name of the German armed forces during the Weimar Republic and the first two years of AH’s Germany. After Germany was defeated in World War I, the Imperial German Army (Deutsches Heer) was dissolved in order to be reshaped into a peacetime army. From it a provisional Reichswehr was formed in March 1919. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the rebuilt German Army was subject to severe limitations in size, structure and armament. The official formation of the Reichswehr took place on 1 January 1921 after the limitations had been met. The German armed forces kept the name Reichswehr until AH's 1935 proclamation of "restoration of military sovereignty", at which point it became part of the new Wehrmacht.

This is an outstanding statue of a Reichswehr soldier aiming and firing a Gewehr 98 bolt-action rifle, completely outfitted with gear which is very well-detailed. The statue stands on a marble base measuring 4 x 4 x 1⅝”, and the entire statue measures 11½” tall. From the back of the soldier’s tornister to the muzzle of his rifle measures 8”.

The soldier is wearing an M1916 Stahlhelm steel helmet, with a leather belt bearing ammunition pouches, a canteen, his shovel & bayonet. His tornister correctly bears the blanket, hobnailed boots, and mess kit. The tornister pack is a bit loose to the soldier but displays fine. 

An outstanding display piece for any German collection.