I'm confident that almost all collectors here are somewhat familiar with the Reinigungsgerät 34 cleaning kit and many are also aware of the larger in size but similar in construction cleaning kit for the Panzerbuchse (Pz. B.) antitank rifles. There exists however, another variation based on the rg34 which is seldom encountered and about which little has been recorded. The Jagd marked cleaning kits are a rare variation which are slightly larger in size than the standard rg34 and contain at least in part unique components.
Have come across only a very few of these while conducting research for the rg34 reference book that I am currently writing. All of the examples observed and recorded have been made by Gustav Appel and are marked on the main lid with Jagd and G Appel. The presence of the term Jagd (hunting) suggests commercial use, perhaps designed for the game hunter or target shooter. The Jagd Behälter (can) is exactly the same height and thickness as a standard rg34 but they are approximately 20mm wider. The construction details of the can are exactly the same as Appel's typical rg34. The retention clips are brass and the entire kits is overpainted in the manner of their WWII period painted cans. The paint however is black and has the textured or crinkle type appearance as often encountered on field glasses and cameras. Research is ongoing and at this point it is difficult to determine exactly what original components would have been included in the Jagd Kits. This is due to the small sample of kits observed as well as concerns regarding the "mixing" of components from can to can. Currently, I am only comfortable asserting that the kits originally contained a steel oiler, pull through chain, and four brushes. The brushes consist of rifle (cleaning & oiling) and shotgun (cleaning & oiling). The oilers observed have been early style polished steel some stamped Appel. Pull through chains have been observed in both the traditional 7.92mm size or in the smaller 5.56mm variation. Again, the chains have been of early quality and some are marked Appel. A few of the Jagd kits have been observed with the Hülsenkopftwischer (receiver tool) some marked GUSTAV APPEL. Same with the blued "butterfly toggle" jointed pull through device, as well as a small angled double ended screwdriver tool. Because of the extremely small number of examples documented it would be premature to speculate further regarding the original component pieces.
The combination of rifle and shotgun size brushes certainly fits well with the commercial hunting hypothesis. Perhaps even a cleaning kit for a drilling. But could these kits also have had a military application? The Luftwaffe certainly employed shotguns; the cased Survival Drilling as well as other models. The Survival Drilling's cleaning equipment is different however and carried in the weapon case. Or was this a cleaning kit for civil sporting groups such as the National Hunting and/or Shooting Associations? And from what time period do these Jagd Kits date? Some have rather quickly stated that they are post WWII but I am far from convinced that is the case. Research continues and additional information regarding these rare and enigmatic cleaning kits is included in the book project which remains in progress.
Several pictures are attached below:
- Examples of two Jagd Cleaning Kits from my collection
- Contents of the kit shown at right in the first pic. Steel oiler which is stamped with the G. Appel trademark (apple G logo) on the base. Receiver tool stamped GUSTAV APPEL. Blued "butterfly toggle" jointed pull through device. Small blued double ended flat tip screwdriver key tool. Both shotgun brushes and rifle oiling brush. The patch compartment contains two bundles of grey cleaning threads (not shown)
- Contents of the kit which is shown at left in the first pic. Early pattern polished steel oiler. Aluminum beaded reinigungskette (cleaning chain) in 5.56mm caliber with ball & socket toggle and weighted end segment. Both types of shotgun brushes
- Main compartment lids of both Jagd Kits showing the impressed markings
- Typical Reinigungsgerät 34 by G. Appel is shown on the right for comparison with the Jagd Cleaning Kit (left). Note the construction similarities and that the Jagd Kit is only marginally larger in size
- A second size comparison with the larger Jagd Kit shown beneath the smaller standard sized rg34 by G. Appel
If anyone has further information or examples of Jagd Cleaning Kits or for that matter any other unusual rg34 items please PM me here as I am still researching and collecting data for the reference book. Many thanks in advance and any/all thoughts or comments welcome ......
Have come across only a very few of these while conducting research for the rg34 reference book that I am currently writing. All of the examples observed and recorded have been made by Gustav Appel and are marked on the main lid with Jagd and G Appel. The presence of the term Jagd (hunting) suggests commercial use, perhaps designed for the game hunter or target shooter. The Jagd Behälter (can) is exactly the same height and thickness as a standard rg34 but they are approximately 20mm wider. The construction details of the can are exactly the same as Appel's typical rg34. The retention clips are brass and the entire kits is overpainted in the manner of their WWII period painted cans. The paint however is black and has the textured or crinkle type appearance as often encountered on field glasses and cameras. Research is ongoing and at this point it is difficult to determine exactly what original components would have been included in the Jagd Kits. This is due to the small sample of kits observed as well as concerns regarding the "mixing" of components from can to can. Currently, I am only comfortable asserting that the kits originally contained a steel oiler, pull through chain, and four brushes. The brushes consist of rifle (cleaning & oiling) and shotgun (cleaning & oiling). The oilers observed have been early style polished steel some stamped Appel. Pull through chains have been observed in both the traditional 7.92mm size or in the smaller 5.56mm variation. Again, the chains have been of early quality and some are marked Appel. A few of the Jagd kits have been observed with the Hülsenkopftwischer (receiver tool) some marked GUSTAV APPEL. Same with the blued "butterfly toggle" jointed pull through device, as well as a small angled double ended screwdriver tool. Because of the extremely small number of examples documented it would be premature to speculate further regarding the original component pieces.
The combination of rifle and shotgun size brushes certainly fits well with the commercial hunting hypothesis. Perhaps even a cleaning kit for a drilling. But could these kits also have had a military application? The Luftwaffe certainly employed shotguns; the cased Survival Drilling as well as other models. The Survival Drilling's cleaning equipment is different however and carried in the weapon case. Or was this a cleaning kit for civil sporting groups such as the National Hunting and/or Shooting Associations? And from what time period do these Jagd Kits date? Some have rather quickly stated that they are post WWII but I am far from convinced that is the case. Research continues and additional information regarding these rare and enigmatic cleaning kits is included in the book project which remains in progress.
Several pictures are attached below:
- Examples of two Jagd Cleaning Kits from my collection
- Contents of the kit shown at right in the first pic. Steel oiler which is stamped with the G. Appel trademark (apple G logo) on the base. Receiver tool stamped GUSTAV APPEL. Blued "butterfly toggle" jointed pull through device. Small blued double ended flat tip screwdriver key tool. Both shotgun brushes and rifle oiling brush. The patch compartment contains two bundles of grey cleaning threads (not shown)
- Contents of the kit which is shown at left in the first pic. Early pattern polished steel oiler. Aluminum beaded reinigungskette (cleaning chain) in 5.56mm caliber with ball & socket toggle and weighted end segment. Both types of shotgun brushes
- Main compartment lids of both Jagd Kits showing the impressed markings
- Typical Reinigungsgerät 34 by G. Appel is shown on the right for comparison with the Jagd Cleaning Kit (left). Note the construction similarities and that the Jagd Kit is only marginally larger in size
- A second size comparison with the larger Jagd Kit shown beneath the smaller standard sized rg34 by G. Appel
If anyone has further information or examples of Jagd Cleaning Kits or for that matter any other unusual rg34 items please PM me here as I am still researching and collecting data for the reference book. Many thanks in advance and any/all thoughts or comments welcome ......