Original text of articles is in polish, not published yet.
The translation may contain errors.
REHBRONN Hans - the “szyftarz” (rifle stock maker) from Królikarnia?
On several known copies of the M98 hunting cutter manufactured by the "Gewehrfabrik Danzig" weapon factory in 1920/21, in addition to the standard markings on the weapon, there are other.
One of them appears on the rifle stock on the left on the handle under the castle chamber. There is marking in the form of an embossed (stamped) inscription in two lines with the content:
Hans Rehbronn
Danzig
At present, such marking on weapons originating in Gdańsk is known in two cases, on copies with serial numbers:
1693
2303
Perhaps there are more of these markings, or at least there were. Because this inscription may have disappeared during the renovation of the bed at a later time or after its replacement, as it often happens.
However, this marking does not appear on another type of weapon from Gdansk (or at least not found so far), namely the small-caliber Modell 2 sporting carbine.
So what did this marking mean and who was Hans Rehbronn?
Hans Rehbronn appears in the address books of the city of Gdańsk around 1911. He appears in them as a trademan (kaufmann) in an unspecified trade (this has not been established yet). However, his business must thrive and prosper, as he changes the addresses of his headquarters in a fairly short time. Initially, it is at Jopengasse 10 (Piwna Street), then at Um Holzraum 6 (?), And finally at 7 Holzmarkt Street (Targ Drzewny Street).
So what is his relationship with this marking on the weapon. It would seem that simple, since he was a trader he could also deal in the arms trade. However, in my opinion it is doubtful, the truth can be much more interesting.
Well, at the turn of 1920/21 Hans Rehbronn opens unexpectedly a new business providing services in the field of joinery and the production of stylish furniture in Gdansk.
The headquarters still remained at the street Targ Drzewny, while the workshop or production plant itself was located in a building formerly owned by the rifle factory, located at its rear at Kolkowgasse 15a (now ul. Królikarnia). Right next door at Kolkowgasse 15 was his warehouse (warehouse) of his company.
After the First World War, probably some of the buildings belonging to the arms factory were rented to other entrepreneurs. Also Mr. Rehbronn benefited, like most Gdańsk entrepreneurs at the time, by renting them for his new business. This information can be found mainly in the Address Books of the city of Gdańsk from that period by conducting an appropriate query.
It is likely that Hans Rehbonn's start-up next to the Kolkowgasse rifle factory was not entirely accidental. And in addition to renting the rooms themselves, he also received access to machines located there. Which may mean that in this place earlier there could have been a factory carpentry factory.
Thus, by the way, it would mean that we may have located one of the production departments of the former Royal Prussian Rifle Factory in which rifle stock were manufactured (?).
It is not known, however, whether Mr. Rehbronn's adventure with the production of bearing for weapons was only incidental, or whether the company was a regular supplier at that time to Gewehrfabrik Danzig. And if so, on what terms did this cooperation take place.
On this occasion, I will explain a little bit from the title of this article. By definition, the “szyftarz” is a craftsman of the old profession who manufactures bearings (exclusively) for firearms. Later this profession disappeared and merged with gunsmithing directly. Nowadays, hardly anyone knows what the representative of this profession was doing.
Was Hans Rehbronn a “szyftarz” (rifle stock maker)? I can't say it clearly, whether it was still a craft or already a factory production. In any case, he was given the opportunity to make weapon beds or at least offered this opportunity at his factory.
Perhaps, like any craftsman, he marked his products in this way, or maybe it was a form of specific advertising, so as to attract the attention of the recipients (this weapon was exported) in order to receive some larger orders for these specific or at any production ranges .
The above article applies to the state of knowledge as at 02/02/2020