Hi all,
I bit the bullet on this one, as it was reasonably local. I way overpaid, but these don't exactly grow on trees and after seeing it in person, it was an easy decision.
I know the jury is still out on the exact origins of these markings, but this rifle is an Amberg 1904, 1920 marked and stylized BS and KS marked on the stock and barrel collar. It is mostly matching as reworked (bolt release, cleaning rod and trigger don't match-- oddly trigger is #43, the first and last digits of the full SN)
The rifle has the typical Weimar era rebuild features (blued receiver/bolt, Spandau marked stock disc added, S/42 G / k155 rear sight added). Interestingly, a second #(7505) was added to the receiver ring on the left side, under the original SN. Was this maybe a weapon # for whatever BS/KS organization?
The rear band was not replaced, but the 4 digit SN added.
The barrel is a replacement marked with a Prussian eagle and barrel code BS T 65 (partial misstrike)
Bolt is force-matched imperial, trigger guard is overstamped/force-matched. Front sight is marked with the SN and an "Z" (or maybe a N?)
The stock is the original 1904 stock with sharp Bavarian cartouches and the BS/KS markings. The 1920 mark is on the left side. Additionally, there are Rp and Br markings-- no clue what these denote. Any thoughts?
The buttplate has what appears to be a #4 (or #1) depot mark, but I am not sure, as it is not well struck.
In any case, I hope this example is interesting to everyone and provides new information to maybe help our understanding of these. If I can add any further pics, let me know.
Pics to follow:
I bit the bullet on this one, as it was reasonably local. I way overpaid, but these don't exactly grow on trees and after seeing it in person, it was an easy decision.
I know the jury is still out on the exact origins of these markings, but this rifle is an Amberg 1904, 1920 marked and stylized BS and KS marked on the stock and barrel collar. It is mostly matching as reworked (bolt release, cleaning rod and trigger don't match-- oddly trigger is #43, the first and last digits of the full SN)
The rifle has the typical Weimar era rebuild features (blued receiver/bolt, Spandau marked stock disc added, S/42 G / k155 rear sight added). Interestingly, a second #(7505) was added to the receiver ring on the left side, under the original SN. Was this maybe a weapon # for whatever BS/KS organization?
The rear band was not replaced, but the 4 digit SN added.
The barrel is a replacement marked with a Prussian eagle and barrel code BS T 65 (partial misstrike)
Bolt is force-matched imperial, trigger guard is overstamped/force-matched. Front sight is marked with the SN and an "Z" (or maybe a N?)
The stock is the original 1904 stock with sharp Bavarian cartouches and the BS/KS markings. The 1920 mark is on the left side. Additionally, there are Rp and Br markings-- no clue what these denote. Any thoughts?
The buttplate has what appears to be a #4 (or #1) depot mark, but I am not sure, as it is not well struck.
In any case, I hope this example is interesting to everyone and provides new information to maybe help our understanding of these. If I can add any further pics, let me know.
Pics to follow:
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