Old Article of mine
For what it's worth. Found some of my archives.
Editing is rough.
Some of this not fully substantiated and speculation on my part.
Gustloff KKW
The transition to Gustloff marked KKW’s from BSW occurred concurrent with the firm name change and is noted in the 2116XX serial number range. Between rifles SN 211625 and SN 211675. This also results in a significant point in production to aid the collector in approximate dating of examples. Further, in 1940, the new law on firing proofs was implemented changing the firing proofs from Crown BUG proofs on the right side of the barrel and receiver, to the left side and in the Eagle N format.
All production traits aforementioned relative to the BSW KKW apply to the Gustloff. As production continued, more examples without the factory applied NSDAP marking will be encountered, perhaps indicating more rifles were made available to retail firms. Fit and finish did decline as production continued into the war.
KKW production at KZ Buchenwald
In 1942, the Speer Ministry issued an order to move K98K and KKW production to the “Gustloff Werke II” Facility at Concentration Lager Buchenwald. (footnote, Backbone of the Wehrmacht Vol 1.) This facility was owned by the Schutz Staffel (SS) and leased to Gustloff Werke. (USSBS Report 160, October 1945.) The SS supplied prisoner labor for production. However, it was some time later before this was accomplished for either rifle. There is evidence that this had been accomplished by May of 1943. (Footnote Wacker’s Book, document 10 insert the translation, referring to these as a “nuisance to other weapons production) This appear to have taken place somewhere around the 267XXX serial number range. Rifles made subsequent to the move exhibit specific traits. Fit and finish decline on both wood and metal components. The rear stock band is made without the groove. This also marks the first appearance of the waffenamt WaA749 (The Wa Pruf 2 inspection team having already been established at Buchenwald for the K98K production moved there.) This waffenamt is not well stamped and difficult to read on the tail end of production (out to at least the 274XXX range). It would appear that the stamp(s) deteriorated and obvious that the worker applying the marking was not concerned. These are the only training rifles believed to have been produced or at least assembled with Concentration Camp labor. They are also the only .22 training rifles with Waffenamt markings applied in the course of production.
Some of these late Buchenwald produced KKW’s appear to have been selected for modification to the only documented version of .22 sniper trainer. Some rifles in the 269XXX to 270XXX range have a ZF41 scope mount integral with rear sight base like the K98K ZF41 sniper version. In addition to the WaA749 markings on the left side of the receiver, the stock wrists on these guns are also marked with an SU27 indicating the work may have been done at the HZA facility at Spandau. (see detail photo) That these are legimate .22 sniper trainers was further documented by Richard Law in Backbone of the Wehrmacht Vol II. See pages 132, 133, and footnote on page 189.) These are the only .22 caliber training rifle produced in a standard configuration in quantity for the expressed purpose of training snipers. (The Herman Weihrauch firm was tasked by in January of 1945 to develop a mount to adapt the ZF-4 scope to training rifles but this occurred so late in the war that is likely only a few prototypes may have been delivered.
Whether or not the components of the KKW were actually manufactured at Buchenwald or shipped there for assembly is not certain. Observation of the rifles within this range would indicate that at least some parts were made there. This is evidenced by the decline in metal and wood fit and finish. On August 24, 1944, a precision bombing raid by RAF Misquito bomers effectively destroyed all rifle production at KZ Buchenwald in the Gustloff Werke II. It is not known whether or not any Gustloff KKW’s were assembled subsequent to that event, either at Buchenwald or one of the other Gustloff Werke locations. It would appear from the latest examples noted, that no Gustloff KKW’s were produced subsequent to that event. KKW production had only taken place there for little over one year. The United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS Report 160) issued in October 1945, lists the quantity of KKW rifles produced at KZ Buchenwald as 8307. It cannot be determined from the report how this quantity was arrived at. It is unlikely that actual records survived. All information relative to the effects of the raid indicate the facility, was totally destroyed by fires set by the bombing raid. This quantity is however consistent with the observed serial number range of rifles exhibiting the aforementioned traits