I just bought what was described as a sporterized bnz/43 K98k. However when it arrived it was better than what I expected. It was a bnz/43 SS contract rifle. The top of the receiver was marked bnz/43 without the final acceptance on the top of the receiver. The receiver right side only had the v/7 in a circle mark, no acceptance mark either. The receiver left side was blank except MOD 98 on the rail and that was all that was on the receiver. The barrel only had the firing proof and the serial number 6545 on the left side there was a 2 on the barrel ring in front of the receiver. On the bottom was the barrel code Dc with bnz/1 in a shield. The rear sight had 6545 on the leaf and base. There were no acceptances on the right side of the sight, but there was a single rune on the bottom of the sight tube. The only acceptance was a e/77 on the front sight base. The stock was shortened with a flat buttplate numbered 5588/n as was the all matching to it's self bolt The stock was sanded to much for any number to be found outside. After cleaning the barrel I also found a very lightly stamped E/WaA623 after the bnz/1 in the shield.My guess would be that this was a pre68 import with two damaged rifles combined. The recoil bolt and the bottom of the bolt were both e/26 accepted. I forgot the triggerguard and floorplate they were both stamped. The T.G. had e/135 acceptance w/o a serial number. The floorplate was e/135 with 6545 serial number on it. The follower was also stamped and w/o marking. I hope this all makes sense. There also were no lucky charms on the receiver..
Mismatched, sporterized SS Contract Rifle
- Thread starter kar66
- Start date
Yes, it does make sense, and short of pictures you did as good a job as anyone I have seen describing their rifle.
The rifle was probably made in early-mid 1944, going by the characteristics you describe (most SS contracts were made in 1944, even most bnz/43's). It wouldn't have many SDP-Radom markings, as the receiver was made in Austria, not occupied Poland. Some of the components were of course supplied by SDP Radom, and they may have e/77 acceptance or some queer markings typical of Radom, but as the barrel and receiver were made in Austria, they would lack such markings generally.
The rifle was probably made in early-mid 1944, going by the characteristics you describe (most SS contracts were made in 1944, even most bnz/43's). It wouldn't have many SDP-Radom markings, as the receiver was made in Austria, not occupied Poland. Some of the components were of course supplied by SDP Radom, and they may have e/77 acceptance or some queer markings typical of Radom, but as the barrel and receiver were made in Austria, they would lack such markings generally.
SS Contract
Thanks for the quick response. I knew the large bnz marked receivers were made by SDP. But I didn't know the small bnz receivers were, but that would explain the lack of lucky charms. I guess I need a e/623 bolt and not the e/77 that I put in it. It is in really nice condition I would say the finish is 95% with a really nice bore. What letter block in regular production would be about the same age. I looked in the KM book but the bbl. codes didn't go back to the Dc code.
Thanks for the quick response. I knew the large bnz marked receivers were made by SDP. But I didn't know the small bnz receivers were, but that would explain the lack of lucky charms. I guess I need a e/623 bolt and not the e/77 that I put in it. It is in really nice condition I would say the finish is 95% with a really nice bore. What letter block in regular production would be about the same age. I looked in the KM book but the bbl. codes didn't go back to the Dc code.
Dc is around the f-block of bnz/4 production, roughly, naturally, it could be at anytime after that, possibly a little before, there is some variance, but generally they are progressive.
Generally, an e/77 bolt would not be correct for this rifle, but it might be tough to find the right type.
As for receivers, no one knows for sure, most of what we know is based upon study of actual rifles, - and speculation. I suppose it is possible that some SDP-Radom receivers were used, scrubbed of Radom piddling, but usually V/7 is Gusen.
The only solid information on the SS contracts are the big details, when it was contracted, and the broad terms, - almost nothing was said in the postwar reports on the firms, or in interrogations, though some comments are made about KL Gusen and the machinery returned to SDP after the war (and Poland's claims). Naturally the Austrians (and SDP officials) didn't want to talk much about it, Meindl was dead, or "missing" (officially dead, but never know with wanted nazis), plus many other reasons, - like the US Army turning over Gusen to the Red Army... good trade for SDP though, because SDP got their factory's back in the same swap (what was left of Steyr-East and Graz...).
Generally, an e/77 bolt would not be correct for this rifle, but it might be tough to find the right type.
As for receivers, no one knows for sure, most of what we know is based upon study of actual rifles, - and speculation. I suppose it is possible that some SDP-Radom receivers were used, scrubbed of Radom piddling, but usually V/7 is Gusen.
The only solid information on the SS contracts are the big details, when it was contracted, and the broad terms, - almost nothing was said in the postwar reports on the firms, or in interrogations, though some comments are made about KL Gusen and the machinery returned to SDP after the war (and Poland's claims). Naturally the Austrians (and SDP officials) didn't want to talk much about it, Meindl was dead, or "missing" (officially dead, but never know with wanted nazis), plus many other reasons, - like the US Army turning over Gusen to the Red Army... good trade for SDP though, because SDP got their factory's back in the same swap (what was left of Steyr-East and Graz...).
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Thanks for all the interesting history. That is why I like military weapons, all the history that goes with them. I put a all matching s block e/77 bolt in it. I have other bnz bolts but I don't think any of them are e/623. I had one and sold it in a bnz/41 that had all e/623 acceptances. I do have a bolt that is just marked V on the bottom, but that is probably to late.