AX41 from North Africa

[idim002]

This is rather special, it came from a known DAK collector who is now in his 80s and parting with his collection. It was souveniered by a New Zealand soldier in January 42 from Bardia. The British launched operation Crusader in November 41 to relieve Tobruk, Bardia was cut off in the process. It was garrisoned by both Italian and German troops. The bulk of the German troops were from 2nd battalion, 104th motorised infantry regiment(Schutzen Regiment), 15th Panzer Division. The garrison surrendered in Jan 42 when they run out of water. There were NZ POWs who were freed in the process and the ax was picked up from the pile of surrendered guns

 

[AN-94]

That's a beautiful AX41 (got any pics of the floorplate and triggerguard?), really like the story behind this one. It's a great thing to document, more and more of the stories of these bringbacks get lost to time as it marches on.

 

[joryfreeburg]

Nice rifle….love the buttplate

 

[idim002]

Oops sorry forgot those

 

[ChrisG43]

Beautiful rifle!

 

[a j s]

idim002,that is a great AX 41,i think it was Dals favourite.Condition is great showing its limited time in service.My father served in the 8th army under Monty,he was maybe there as he was involved in the releif of Tobruk in 1941.

 

[Guillaume d'Orange]

This is rather special, it came from a known DAK collector who is now in his 80s and parting with his collection. It was souveniered by a New Zealand soldier in January 42 from Bardia. The British launched operation Crusader in November 41 to relieve Tobruk, Bardia was cut off in the process. It was garrisoned by both Italian and German troops. The bulk of the German troops were from 2nd battalion, 104th motorised infantry regiment(Schutzen Regiment), 15th Panzer Division. The garrison surrendered in Jan 42 when they run out of water. There were NZ POWs who were freed in the process and the ax was picked up from the pile of surrendered guns

Hello sir, it’s a very nice Feima rifle. Would you mind looking at the stamps of some tiny parts and contributing to this research ?

Erma/Feima Small Parts

Hi everyone, This is a thread for the Erma/Feima fan club. It looks like Erma/Feima used (very) small parts from other manufacturers (especially at the time of the "27" to "ax" or Erma to Feima transition, around "f" block of 1940 according to p. 446 of Vol II b). The thread tracks the small...

www.k98kforum.com

Thanks a lot !

 

[idim002]

Ok so buttplate is subcontracted from bpr as per pic above, bandspring has E/37, ejector is Eagle 4(does it mean BSW part or just that inspector moved over?) rear sight slide is E/280, cleaning rod nut is E/4

 

[Guillaume d'Orange]

Thank you, the e/4 parts are probably leftovers from bSw.
What about the front sight base ? Nothing ?
(The pic below is from Warrior’s f block)

 

[Remfan]

Thanks for sharing. one beautiful example.

 

[idim002]

That

Thank you, the e/4 parts are probably leftovers from bSw.
What about the front sight base ? Nothing ?
(The pic below is from Warrior’s f block)

that’s 280 as well

 

[idim002]

idim002,that is a great AX 41,i think it was Dals favourite.Condition is great showing its limited time in service.My father served in the 8th army under Monty,he was maybe there as he was involved in the releif of Tobruk in 1941.

Yes from Serial you can estimate it was made roughly april 41 and was surrendered January 42, so it didn’t have a long service life. It’s consistent with 15th panzer division which were issued new weapons as they were formed before shipping to Africa. In time of crusader it would have been auchinleck in charge

 

[RampantLion]

Wonderful story, thanks for sharing