Hello, first an overview of production:
Gustav Appel:
G.Appel 1935 - 1938, in late 1938/39 Appel introduced the "64" code. Probably around 1941 they changed code to "cnx". lower case letters!
No Appel (64/cnx) made cleaning kit has a reinforcing fin.
Mundlos:
Mundlos 1935 - 1940. 1940 - 1944 code "ab"
No "ab45" coded cleaning kit has shown up so far.
In 1940/41 Mundlos introduced the one piece reinforcing fin. (like Hawig/"cmr")
In ~1942 the divided reinforcing fin was introduced.
The Mundlos factory was heavily bombed in January 1945.
The "CNX" (upper case letters) kits always have the divided reinforcing fin and sometimes the WaA20 acceptance stamp attributed to the Appel company. I very much doubt that Appel changed its machinery and introduced the divided reinforing fin in late 1944/early 1945. But rather, Appel assembled cleaning kits from left over parts of the destroyed Mundlos company. To clarify that these cleaning kits were only assembled at Appel, they changed their code from the lower to the upper case letters for these kits.
This only is an assumption!
But if you want to get rid of your dual marked kit, please drop me a line.
Concerning the missing closing snaps: Most "cmr45" marked kits I've seen, do not have the closing snaps. => late war shortcuts
Wolf
Sorry to post three times in this same older thread but think some additional comments may add value. First of all, I have an enormous respect for Wolfgang and his research/knowledge regarding the Reinigungsgeräte34. He has contributed immensely and unselfishly to the data and details that I have collected. Although our terminology is different and we may not agree in opinions regarding some small points I concur with his statements above. That said, I wanted to add just a couple of comments that may help clarify some of the details and also strengthen our theories regarding the CNX marked rg34 cans. To use his format as above:
Gustav Appel:
- The cnx stamping used by Appel is in a small squat thick letter lower case font.
- The cnx stamping appearing on Appel rg34 kits will be on the left side of the lid. *1
- Painted G. Appel made rg34 cans whether marked 64 or cnx will always have painted closure clips.
- G. Appel utilized the Stick Wing Eagle WaA20 inspection stamping/proof marking.
Mundlos:
- The maker name or ab code on Mundlos rg34 kits will be on the right side of the lid.
- Painted Mundlos made rg34 cans whether marked Mundlos or ab will exhibit blued steel (never painted) closure clips. *2
CNX marked (suspected Mundlos parts, pieces, and components finished by Appel):
- The CNX stamping used on these rg34 cans is in large tall thin letter upper case font.
- The CNX stamping appearing on these rg34 kits will be on the right side of the lid.
- CNX marked rg34 cans will exhibit blued steel (never painted) closure clips.
- Some CNX marked rg34 cans were completed without closure clips, instead having inward bent lid lips that hold the lid closed.
- Some CNX marked rg34 cans (approximately 60% of recorded examples) utilize the Stick Wing Eagle WaA20 inspection/proof marking. *3
*1 - One very rare example G. Appel made rg34 can has been recorded with the cnx stamping on the right side of the lid.
*2 - A few early painted Mundlos and ab marked rg34 cans are recorded with brass closure clips (probably old stock from silver tinned kits).
*3 - Stick Wing Eagle WaA20 inspection/proof markings are also found on Braunschweigische Blechwarenfabrik GmbH (some arr43 & arr4) rg34 cans.
Hope this helps - Lance O. Adams .....