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ERFURT 17 / DANZIG 18 98M and some questions

toulon44

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A Kar.98b is defined by two characteristics, one it has a bent bolt arrangement and second a side mounted sling, this rifle lacks the latter (hybrids were created in the early interwar period, mostly by the RM (navy) ordnance shops. Originally this was a typical Danzig made sterngewehr, then it saw a early 1930's re-proofing (probably for the bolt as the barrel looks original) and then subsequent work later, though autopsying the parts is problematic. I doubt this rifle saw Polish service though it has a Polish bolt (probably a later addition, EP is not common either, usually low-level shops did such - like the SS amateurs) .

The LK5 topic is discussed on another forum, I believed for a longtime its Luftwaffe related, but what most interests me is the wrist acceptance, because there lies the most interesting discussion. Try and take better pictures of the wrist acceptance stamps.

Regarding the Kar.98b, - it is defined by its bolt arrangement and sling arrangement.
 
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thanks loewe

sure you 're right about the kar98b sling arrangement , so may be it was un hybrid in the early 30 , are you sure that the barrel is original and not replaced in the inter war period ? ( Weimar barrel proof )
i'll try to take better pics of the wrist acceptance stamp soon . actually i read "S u or n 25 or 26 " and kl "n" i think .

ber
 
I am pretty sure this is the original barrel, - originally a wartime G98 would not have the FP next to the serial, it would be below the stock, underside of barrel. The Krupp barrel is right for this range of Danzig also, Danzig didn't use Krupp often but they do show up in the c-block & n,o, p blocks of 1917. An examination of the underside of barrel should show if it has the original Danzig style BC, - obviously if it isn't the right style then I would be wrong, if it is Danzig in style my guess would be correct...

This could be the original barrel and the Weimar (republic) FP added when it was re-proofed, which is usually done when a barrel or bolt is replaced.

I was thinking Kl also, Kassel the second ordnance depot established early on, along with Spandau, these two were AK HQ for the Reichsheer, everything revolved around these two centers. Though typically the earliest Kassel work was done with its earlier "CL" before Cassel changed to Kassel in 1926-1927, if this is KL6 like I am guessing, then it would date it to after that period, but before the National Socialists era where they were known to use a number of abbreviations (Ka, Kal6, which might actually be Ka16 rather than Kal, typically these are followed by numbers, I assume representing the armorer or inspector in charge)

are you sure that the barrel is original and not replaced in the inter war period ? ( Weimar barrel proof )
i'll try to take better pics of the wrist acceptance stamp soon . actually i read "S u or n 25 or 26 " and kl "n" i think .

ber
 
Thanks for the effort, like I said it is probably a transitional era Kl6, they were nearly as active as Spandau early on, before the Hitlerite revolution. Once rearmament really got rolling they were far less important.
 
The electropencil SN on the bolt is probably from the LK5 rework. EP'd parts are common on LK rifles, especially the German ones.
 

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