Request for data - Gustloff and Mauser Berlin Astrawerke receiver SS inspections , 1942 to 1943

[bruce98k]

Guys looking for serial numbers and receiver codes for any 1942 to 1943 Gustloff and Mauser Berlin (using Astrawerke supplied receivers) with SS inspection mark.
These will be a small "ZZ" stamp located on the front receiver flat or rearward by the sear area.

Super thanks!

 

[Absolut]

Possible to get a sample pic?

 

[M1903A3]

Guys looking for serial numbers and receiver codes for any 1942 to 1943 Gustloff and Mauser Berlin (using Astrawerke supplied receivers) with SS inspection mark.
These will be a small "ZZ" stamp located on the front receiver flat or rearward by the sear area.

Super thanks!

Interesting!! Can you show us one for an example? Would the marking be visible above the wood line or do you need to remove the stock to see it?

 

[bruce98k]

Here are 2 examples.

 

[M1903A3]

Here are 2 examples.

Whoa. That’s huge.

 

[Absolut]

The guns with these stamps do not need to have any particular SS connection though, so can be normal service rifle? Just to make sure I understood it correctly.

 

[mrfarb]

For years it’s been suggested that these markings are somehow related to Buchenwald amd SS production. Imo these are just random inspections done at Astrawerke. They don’t show up regularly or even in any specific ranges, amd only on Astrawerke made receivers. There is a marking which I feel is more likely related, but I’ll see what comes of this.

 

[bruce98k]

My own opinion is that these markings originate at Astrawerke, which used a good number of forced labor from a sub-camp.
Agree its a random inspection stamp applied at that firm. We detailed this assumption in Volume II.
Making a connection between the control of the forced labor force at Astrawerke and countless other firms with the SS is a no brainer.
The real question is was the inspector actually under supervision by the SS? Stephen is actually working on additional data on this very subject.
Stay tuned.

 

[M1903A3]

My own opinion is that these markings originate at Astrawerke, which used a good number of forced labor from a sub-camp.
Agree its a random inspection stamp applied at that firm. We detailed this assumption in Volume II.
Making a connection between the control of the forced labor force at Astrawerke and countless other firms with the SS is a no brainer.
The real question is was the inspector actually under supervision by the SS? Stephen is actually working on additional data on this very subject.
Stay tuned.

Fascinating! I just finished reading Speer’s book “Infiltration” and he mentions efforts to set up production associated with Gustloff at camps owned and operated by the SS, and I wondered if anything came of that in a way that it could be detected by markings we can see today and not by hard to verify hearsay and suppositions. I’ll be interested to see what comes of these investigations. Thank you for sharing!

 

[bruce98k]

The big question that Stephan and I beginning to address is two fold:

1. Was there actual assembly of finished K98ks at Buchenwald
2. If so, how do you differentiate between Weimar and Buchenwald assembled rifles.

The assembly of the Buchenwald produced G43s is minimally documented but well proven.
We know that barrels were produced for K98ks (ostensibly with 'bcd' roll mark) and some chatter about stock production.

Hopefully, Stephan can lend new insight into this very unclear picture of K98ks and Buchenwald.

From all supporting texts (both Infiltration and the Buchenwald Report) it appears that the attempt at K98k production was either a failure or happened on a very limited scale.
My own assumption is that if substantial K98k production happened at Buchenwald, there should be some supporting historical data, both technical and empircal.

B.

 

[M1903A3]

For years it’s been suggested that these markings are somehow related to Buchenwald amd SS production. Imo these are just random inspections done at Astrawerke. They don’t show up regularly or even in any specific ranges, amd only on Astrawerke made receivers. There is a marking which I feel is more likely related, but I’ll see what comes of this.

Can you give us a hint of what marking that would be? Being able to identify any of these markings is a big deal and they are interesting to me.

 

[M1903A3]

From a thread on this forum, here is a very poor condition bcd4 LSR

 

[M1903A3]

Didn’t save the data beyond this being on a bcd4. (EDIT: found it! Second picture added.)

 

[CanadianAR]

Any update on this topic?

Found a rune on the sear area of my bcd4 34868

 

[M1903A3]

Any update on this topic?

Found a rune on the sear area of my bcd4 34868

Oohhh let’s see! I would love to own one of these bcd rifles to be able to inspect the markings myself. Wish list!!

 

[CanadianAR]

Hadnt had this apart in years and years.

I have an earlier gun to check still. And one later.