I wanted to have an open discussion regarding single rune, SSZZA4 and SS contract rifles.
Many times I see them described as "concentration camp" rifles- how accurate do you feel that statement is?
In doing the research for our last book, I delved deeply into the subject. Not one account of 98k's being actually manufactured in the camp were found in all the postwar interviews I read from camp employees, including Steyr employee accounts. (to be honest, not much was found though).
So, I put the facts in the book- Steyr did indeed have a large portion of the underground factory at Gusen to used for production, mostly parts though. Lets focus on just the 98k, as production there was varied. The assumption is if Steyr made parts there, they made guns. I doubt it.
Why waste important underground space to manufacture an outdated weapons system? I don't think they would have. I suggest that the assembly was done outside of Mathausen, in a location above ground and outside of the camp. I have anecdotal evidence of Radom pistols being assembled elsewhere, but parts seem to have been manufactured underground.
So- the questions stands- why use valuable underground space for assembly of outdated weapons? I can see keeping the machines safe from bombing, but I can assure you the people who assembled them were considered expendable, even German or Austrian workers. If the assembly area gets bombed out all you lose is what is there for assembly.
Just some thoughts I wanted to put out there for discussion. This topic won't be covered in the Vol. 1 book, but will be covered in the Vol. 2 in the future. I plan on finding the answer to the question as to where- I have a clue due to some work from the Kreigsmodell book, namely a unit history from an 11th Armored Recce vet that brought 3 bnz45 rifles back.....plus other anecdotal evidence from the swjXE I purchased.
Many times I see them described as "concentration camp" rifles- how accurate do you feel that statement is?
In doing the research for our last book, I delved deeply into the subject. Not one account of 98k's being actually manufactured in the camp were found in all the postwar interviews I read from camp employees, including Steyr employee accounts. (to be honest, not much was found though).
So, I put the facts in the book- Steyr did indeed have a large portion of the underground factory at Gusen to used for production, mostly parts though. Lets focus on just the 98k, as production there was varied. The assumption is if Steyr made parts there, they made guns. I doubt it.
Why waste important underground space to manufacture an outdated weapons system? I don't think they would have. I suggest that the assembly was done outside of Mathausen, in a location above ground and outside of the camp. I have anecdotal evidence of Radom pistols being assembled elsewhere, but parts seem to have been manufactured underground.
So- the questions stands- why use valuable underground space for assembly of outdated weapons? I can see keeping the machines safe from bombing, but I can assure you the people who assembled them were considered expendable, even German or Austrian workers. If the assembly area gets bombed out all you lose is what is there for assembly.
Just some thoughts I wanted to put out there for discussion. This topic won't be covered in the Vol. 1 book, but will be covered in the Vol. 2 in the future. I plan on finding the answer to the question as to where- I have a clue due to some work from the Kreigsmodell book, namely a unit history from an 11th Armored Recce vet that brought 3 bnz45 rifles back.....plus other anecdotal evidence from the swjXE I purchased.