I agree, an astonishingly nice rifle! And I can only hope the weather in New England stays wonderful!
Has to be one of the nicest S147G out there, and all the various forms and styles of "S" is really interesting. The debate and speculation as to who provided the receivers to S&S, even early on, is supported (imo) by this rifle and items like it.
Waffenamt e/116 is speculated to cover Zella-Mehlis in this time frame, and of course Walther is very much at the top of the list of firms to have taken old Simson Suhl machinery (old Fritz Walther was a 1st class early nazi dirtbag and routinely denounced Arthur Simson as a criminal, -also 1935 was the year Simson Suhl was formally "Aryanized" although the process began as early as 1933. I can’t imagine he didn’t directly profit from Simsons difficulties- he is known to have bought “highjacked” machines at Gustloff Weimar during the war). Of course it could be another firm, but considering Cate’s document on S&S sub-contractors, and JoeS writings I really think Walther is by far the most likely.
Anyway, JoeS wrote a brief little piece that is related to this topic. The brief piece is based upon a MG13 magazine where he speculates the item is reflective of events in 1935 where Walther has taken Simson machinery. However I am most intrigued by the possibilities regarding the “S” markings?
It is well known that Sauer used their logo “S&S” on many things (Gew.98 barrels, both in-house and supplied to CGH & VCS, also commercial products), and their barrels 1934-1944 often use forms of their code, or “S” which I have always assumed was just used to identify their firm.
However I am curious if this is always the case? Specifically, Joe mentioned “S” is also used to denote a spare component, and as Sauer is well known to be an assembler of others parts, I wonder if some of these “S” could represent the part as a component part supplied to Sauer?
Anyway, just something that caught my attention when I saw Peter’s rifle, and thought about Joe’s article. (which will be in most subscribers hands next week.)
Beautiful .... love the wood. Amazing!