Danzig 1916 Köln and Thorn

mauser1908

mauser1908

Senior Member
Hey Everyone!

Been a while since I've posted anything, I've had this Danzig since August and just never got around to doing anything with it until now. I'm really glad I bought this one; mainly due to the honest nature of it. At the same time, it provides a good window into some of the depot procedure at Köln. It seems they had an affinity for grinding and renumbering bolts at the root. In addition to that, it's been counterbored and has a Spandau manufactured unnumbered armorer's rear sight. While I'm unaware of the reason, this gun also passed through Thorn, note the 10 on the wrist. I suppose the sight and counterbore could have been done there, but I'm more inclined to think that it was part of a mass turn in when its unit rotated out of the line and was marked as a result.

Receiver SN: 3573 j
Barrel SN: 3573 j
Front sight SN: 73
Rear sight SN: Unnumbered
Ejector box SN: 73
Trigger Sear SN: 73
Front barrel band SN: 73
Rear barrel band SN: m/m
Trigger guard SN: 3573
Trigger guard screws SN: 73/82
Floor Plate SN: 73
Follower SN: 73
Stock SN: 3573
Handguard SN: 3573
Buttplate SN: 3573 j
Bayonet lug SN: 73
Bolt body SN: 3573 (depot renumber)
Extractor SN: m/m
Safety SN: m/m
Cocking piece SN: m/m
Bolt sleeve SN: m/m
Firing pin SN: m/m

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Sam-- that's as solid of a wartime Danzig as I've seen. Also cool to see work from Thorn, not as common as, say Köln or Koblenz.
 
Very fine display and intriguing rifle! The third J-block for Danzig/16 known (or reported): 3541 j reported fairly close match (attached); and another rework (6234/j) (no RR or BC unfortunately...)

As is known j blocks are rare, for Danzig only 1916 and 1917 are known for sure; pre-war the years Danzig passes j-block the block is seemingly skipped. 1915 it is skipped apparently as previous and latter blocks are well represented; 1918 isn't known past the e-block, but "reported" to the h-block but is dubious as there is a rather large gap... and the reporter states doubt.
 

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I should mention 4 1917's are known or reported: 1141/j; 3920/j; 6242/j; 6370j none this nice or displayed. Most more or less junk or few pictures, which typically suggest junk or problems. Even with the most wishful imagination none come close to this rifles originality or detail. But two are clearly confirmable.

Damn nice rifle Sam! A keeper!
 
Meant to post sooner, but better late than never haha. Awesome rifle Sam! A nice weathered piece with a handsome stock. The information on the triple depot work is especially fascinating. Am I missing a photo of the buttplate? Any markings there? Thanks for sharing!
 
Loewe said:
I should mention 4 1917's are known or reported: 1141/j; 3920/j; 6242/j; 6370j none this nice or displayed. Most more or less junk or few pictures, which typically suggest junk or problems. Even with the most wishful imagination none come close to this rifles originality or detail. But two are clearly confirmable.

Damn nice rifle Sam! A keeper!
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Thanks for the kind words, Paul! Sorry for the late reply I missed your comment somehow and failed to respond. I’ve always thought the distaste for the letter j was odd.

OnlyMil said:
Meant to post sooner, but better late than never haha. Awesome rifle Sam! A nice weathered piece with a handsome stock. The information on the triple depot work is especially fascinating. Am I missing a photo of the buttplate? Any markings there? Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Alex! I failed to post a photo of the buttplate, the only the shown there is the Köln depot making.
 
Thanks Sam, no reply is required on my part, goodness knows I have forgot to return emails and posts! Things are nuts for me these days and I am lucky to visit the forum or reply to email.

Good thing Chris is overqualified to be moderator here and he has so much help here!
 
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