First interesting pick-up I've had in a while.
This 1939 dated Hungarian 35M is one of the very rare 'RE' prefix rifles.
I'm almost sure these were made for and delivered to the Rendőrség, the Royal Hungarian Police (not be confused with the Csendőrség, the Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie). The "normal" 35M production used single letter blocks, starting in 1938 with the 'A' block and ending with 'E' block probably around 1941 (late E blocks are undated) as the G98/40 rifles entered production. The 'RE' prefixes are a completely separate run far outside the Army's numbering system, and they were apparently produced in very low numbers. The highest known SN known is only RE-23XX, and though it is undated, RE-2157 is known and dated 1941. So maybe 2500 over a three year period?
The other unusual feature is the stacking rod. Virtually all 35M rifles have a small stud which secures the rear of the bayonet in place, but my research could only find *one* other rifle with a rod which coincidentally is from the RE block (RE-XX). RE-686 has been reported and I assume it has a rod also but I could not track down the rifle. I think all of the 1939 guns will have the rod, but interestingly, the two 1941 dated rifles, RE-2157 and RE-23XX, have studs instead of rods. I think there may have been a second order of these in 1941 once the war started that continued with the existing serial number sequence, and they decided to just go with the stud instead for whatever reason.
This police/stacking rod theory is further bolstered by a diagram I found of the 35M in an undated Rendorség manual (probably from 1939 or 1940) which seems to show a stacking rod (labeled 'tuske') inside the mounted bayonet. The bayonets will apparently still mount over the rod, and the wear pattern on this rod supports the idea, but I do not have one to confirm it. The manual also includes the Walther PP, designated the 39M by the Hungarians, which is neat.
The overall quality of the rifle is exceptional. The action is easily the smoothest I've ever handled, even better than my Dutch rifles, and fit and finish are excellent. In the typical Hungarian fashion (prior to the 43M anyway), only the barrel and buttplate are numbered. Everything else is unmarked.
This 1939 dated Hungarian 35M is one of the very rare 'RE' prefix rifles.
I'm almost sure these were made for and delivered to the Rendőrség, the Royal Hungarian Police (not be confused with the Csendőrség, the Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie). The "normal" 35M production used single letter blocks, starting in 1938 with the 'A' block and ending with 'E' block probably around 1941 (late E blocks are undated) as the G98/40 rifles entered production. The 'RE' prefixes are a completely separate run far outside the Army's numbering system, and they were apparently produced in very low numbers. The highest known SN known is only RE-23XX, and though it is undated, RE-2157 is known and dated 1941. So maybe 2500 over a three year period?
The other unusual feature is the stacking rod. Virtually all 35M rifles have a small stud which secures the rear of the bayonet in place, but my research could only find *one* other rifle with a rod which coincidentally is from the RE block (RE-XX). RE-686 has been reported and I assume it has a rod also but I could not track down the rifle. I think all of the 1939 guns will have the rod, but interestingly, the two 1941 dated rifles, RE-2157 and RE-23XX, have studs instead of rods. I think there may have been a second order of these in 1941 once the war started that continued with the existing serial number sequence, and they decided to just go with the stud instead for whatever reason.
This police/stacking rod theory is further bolstered by a diagram I found of the 35M in an undated Rendorség manual (probably from 1939 or 1940) which seems to show a stacking rod (labeled 'tuske') inside the mounted bayonet. The bayonets will apparently still mount over the rod, and the wear pattern on this rod supports the idea, but I do not have one to confirm it. The manual also includes the Walther PP, designated the 39M by the Hungarians, which is neat.
The overall quality of the rifle is exceptional. The action is easily the smoothest I've ever handled, even better than my Dutch rifles, and fit and finish are excellent. In the typical Hungarian fashion (prior to the 43M anyway), only the barrel and buttplate are numbered. Everything else is unmarked.
