1943 German Mauser k98 7.92
I completely missed this! Looks like a Russian capture?
The Militaria Thread: Collecting and Identification
- Thread starter Edrof
- Start date
I completely missed this! Looks like a Russian capture?
My latest addition:
First introduced in 1931, the Walther PPK has a long and interesting history. It was compact and reliable, making an excellent weapon for undercover and intelligence work. Of course, it’s iconic as James Bond’s weapon of choice and this isn’t far from reality as many of the post-war intelligence agencies, from MI5 to Mossad, apparently standardised on the PPK.
It’s less well known that the PPK was used extensively in Nazi Germany too, with many high-ranking Nazi officials, SS officers, and Luftwaffe pilots using it as their sidearm. There was also a ‘Party Leader’ version made, presented by Adolf Hitler himself to those deemed worthy enough. I think Hermann Göring carried a gold-plated one, but perhaps the PPK’s biggest claim to infamy is that Hitler committed suicide with a PPK in the Führerbunker.
This particular PPK was made in West Germany in 1962 during the Cold War, and is a lightweight version in .22LR—much rarer than the standard PPK. It is in excellent condition for its age and the serial number tells me it was about the 500th made. It doesn't actually fit into my collection, but I'll keep it for a bit.
First introduced in 1931, the Walther PPK has a long and interesting history. It was compact and reliable, making an excellent weapon for undercover and intelligence work. Of course, it’s iconic as James Bond’s weapon of choice and this isn’t far from reality as many of the post-war intelligence agencies, from MI5 to Mossad, apparently standardised on the PPK.
It’s less well known that the PPK was used extensively in Nazi Germany too, with many high-ranking Nazi officials, SS officers, and Luftwaffe pilots using it as their sidearm. There was also a ‘Party Leader’ version made, presented by Adolf Hitler himself to those deemed worthy enough. I think Hermann Göring carried a gold-plated one, but perhaps the PPK’s biggest claim to infamy is that Hitler committed suicide with a PPK in the Führerbunker.
This particular PPK was made in West Germany in 1962 during the Cold War, and is a lightweight version in .22LR—much rarer than the standard PPK. It is in excellent condition for its age and the serial number tells me it was about the 500th made. It doesn't actually fit into my collection, but I'll keep it for a bit.
It's a lovely gun, shame I'll be letting it go but a Walther collector would love it more than I do. There was a good SMLE on FB recently - £350. Dunno if it's gone already. They are super deacs! How much did you pay for your Kar98K?
And some were even taken to the first Gulf War, if I remember correctly! Lovely new rifle, Macca - very jealous! I have a new bayonet to show off. Hard to believe this is over a century old:
It's very impressive in the flesh. If anyone wants to ID it, I'll leave it anonymous.
It's very impressive in the flesh. If anyone wants to ID it, I'll leave it anonymous.
This is a bayonet meant for engineers, artillerymen and pioneers. The saw cuts wood quite well, and even better if it's fixed to the rifle while you're sawing away. It does look rather terrifying.
There is a well-known story from World War Two regarding this as the Germans had a saw-back seitengewehr - if the Allies caught a German soldier with a saw-back, he was shot on sight (or worse). Most Germans ground off the saw teeth, apparently.
It was probably one of those instances of rumour and animosity leading to actions. Saw-backed bayonets have been in use since the mid-1800s, at least, so they weren't a new thing by the time of the First World War. How many Germans were captured with a saw-back and summarily shot is unlikely to be known.
I have the odd sabre up high around the house and two old deactivated bolt-actions secured on a wall in a rear room. Even though the objects are entirely harmless, I do everything I can to keep them out of view of the public and I take the rifles down when we have certain guests. My favourite edged weapons are on my 'war shelf' in my bedroom but the majority is locked away.
My collection isn't worth a huge amount so it's covered under my normal contents insurance. I can't remember the ins and outs but I checked last year and it was all good. A recent purchase:
An 1857 Pattern Royal Engineer's sabre. This Pattern featured one of the most aesthetically pleasing guards. This one has an acid-etched blade but appears to be an issued sword, so it was likely used by a senior NCO. It was made by Mole and handles beautifully - a real sword meant for real fighting.
Interesting to note is that the guard is bent in a few places, the false edge has a couple of (possible) sword nicks in it and the ricasso is stamped with the back-to-back Rs - a marking used when a weapon was no longer fit for service. I suspect all of this means the sabre was used in action and the wielder had to clout a few enemies with the guard. After the action the guard couldn't be restored to its original shape and it was released from War Department property somehow.
Aye, it is lovely and thank you! Robert Mole produced a lot of swords for the War Department to be issued to troops (while officers usually bought their own), also, this doesn't have a proof slug and it is stamped with an inspection mark so I'm confident it was an NCO's weapon because of all of that. The presence of the etching suggests to me that it might have been a senior NCO's, though - like a sergeant major. The same pattern of sword could be used by enlisted man and officer alike, but the quality, maker and style of etching would change, with the officer's version generally being better as you'd expect.
Another recent purchase: an Mle 1866 Chassepot bayonet - rather elegant. This one has matching serial numbers to the scabbard and guard so they've been together for 142 years.
Another recent purchase: an Mle 1866 Chassepot bayonet - rather elegant. This one has matching serial numbers to the scabbard and guard so they've been together for 142 years.
Off the top of my head, Wilkinson brought in the six-pointed star as a sign to its customers that their blades were of exceptional quality and had passed rigourous 'proofing' tests. The star is supposed to be two triangles, with triangles representing strength (as in construction). Inside the star is usually a slug. Some of these slugs have actually been levered out to be sold to jewellers as they were mistaken for gold by thickos.
Of course, like Apple's i prefix, the Wilkinson star was then nicked by other makers, although often not the quality!
You should collect, Dis.
Of course, like Apple's i prefix, the Wilkinson star was then nicked by other makers, although often not the quality!
You should collect, Dis.
Honestly, you should have a look around - some of it is very cheap and it's a great investment. That Mle 1866 Chassepot bayonet I just posted was a mere £45!
Another recent find:
A Mle 1892 for the Berthier carbine, as used by French mounted troops. Matching numbers, too.
That area's something I know very little about, but I do see lots of WW2 shin guntos(?) for sale. I need to try one at some point!
I've bought from Jaybe Militaria in the past. D and B Militaria is great, and run by nice chaps. If you're after Soviet-themed stuff then I know the owner of Cold War Collectables and he's brilliant. WWA shift the big numbers but they are a bit shady at times.
It's a fascinating field and the sword is so iconic I must get one at some point. As you say though, (like a lot in this field) there's a startling amount to learn and fakes are around so I'm scared to dip my toe in. If I do it'll be with a bargain piece where I can't lose out, I suspect. I'd love to see some of your pieces sometime.
That's great - I'd have it ticking and on the wall. Wonder how much they cost...
Well it looks like the EU's crazy, counter-productive new laws regarding deactivated weapons have been passed. Hopefully this won't result in the increase in gun crime that it looks very likely to effect. They seem to have made it cheaper and easier for criminals to get their hands on live firearms, made it easier for terrorists to smuggle live firearms across borders, and increased the circulation of live weapons.
But it's okay, because they've hugely penalised museums, re-enactors, historical collectors and antique dealers. All of which were clearly hot-beds for terrorism.
Really well done!
On a lighter note, another Swiss item here, an M1918 Schmidt-Rubin bayonet:
This is interesting in that it has been very nicely service sharpened but not mated to a rifle at the arsenal because there are no serial numbers stamped to it.
But it's okay, because they've hugely penalised museums, re-enactors, historical collectors and antique dealers. All of which were clearly hot-beds for terrorism.
Really well done!
On a lighter note, another Swiss item here, an M1918 Schmidt-Rubin bayonet:
This is interesting in that it has been very nicely service sharpened but not mated to a rifle at the arsenal because there are no serial numbers stamped to it.
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