Rg34 KH 1935

Gents and Fellow Colleagues: Been meaning to post this for awhile and just found the 3.5 diskette. I have a pair of KH 1935 Rg34s. The pictured example has a tin case marked KH 1935 and is E/WaA109 accepted. The HKW is marked the same as is the oiler. The RGK that came in this kit appears to have been a first pattern with "hooks", which were later removed and replaced with the closed patch loop. In performing the modification, the swivel link was ground and markings removed during the process, but can still see what I think is the center bar (l-l) of the "H" in "KH". The other RGK is a unattributed, first-pattern example I just decided to keep with the kit, as such a chain is what it was issued with.

The second kit (not pictured) had both modifications performed. The HKW had a pin added (Not my tool but):
http://www.k98kforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=203066&d=1555596870
and the RGK exhibits similar evidence of repair to the swivel link boss when the hooks were removed and closed patch loop added. Perhaps the difference is, in the execution of this repair, the swivel link boss only shows grinding on the forward end of the boss and in doing so, the original markings were preserved. I find these kits interesting since this code was only used the one year (with the concern evolving into KY).

The order to exchange the double hook of the chain for the closed loop was issued on 7 May of 1936, and was to be performed by the Truppenwaffenmeister so differences respect to the finish may exists. I have seen some modified chains with the typicall round punch on the pin ends for to secure it, others have the head and pin ends milled.

I enclose pictures of a "G.APPEL 1935 with the closed patch loop. (Compare the markings -in capitals and smaller- with the one unmodified G.Appel chain of this post: http://www.k98kforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=242645&d=1595521982)

Antoni

Antoni:

Have seen this "punch" in center of pin as well on a few early RGKs. Have seen it on a later RGK as well, which I think might have been the result of a bent or broken patch loop which was replaced in the field.