CE 40 Stock Barrel Channel Markings

tsmgguy

tsmgguy

Senior Member
Others have opined that the alphanumerics in the stock barrel channels of some JP Sauer (ce) produced 98Ks represent the date the stock was made. I belive that what is obviously a date code is instead the rifle's final assembly date.

Here are a few photos of a 1940 dated, ce marked 98k. Note how the serial number and date blocks are neatly applied in the same line within the stock, with dies of the same size, and (I believe) by the same individual at the same time, during final assembly.
 
all stocks were sub-contracted. Na and Br are the most common. and the date. This was for the stock only. but does follow a linear time frame to the date of the rifle. Like barrel codes.
 
I think it is probably the date when the stock blank was finished, like with the barrels the stocks were probably delivered in raw blanks and finished by the assemblers in most cases (some sub-contractors, like Menzel - C stocks, probably finished them as components, perhaps others, but JPS, MO, Steyr and others probably received raw blanks and formed them). I suspect this is what the date represents, but it might be related to curing? Not sure if laminate stocks needed special curing, solid stocks did but laminate might not have.

It seems to me the date would have to have relevance to the stock itself (manufacture related)- either a date to judge curing or finishing, a date would matter before assembly but not so much after? How long a blank or finished stock has been stored? Some guys here are really into stocks and wood (BiO) and might have some insight as to how the stocks were cured and made, I am sure laminate is different in this regard, but even they would have to have some curing for the glue?

Anyway, even if you are correct, the first step would be that you would have to start collecting data on rifles, the codes inside the stock and the original rifle mfg-date and serial to establish a pattern.
 
mauser99 said:
all stocks were sub-contracted. Na and Br are the most common. and the date. This was for the stock only. but does follow a linear time frame to the date of the rifle. Like barrel codes.
Click to expand...

Then why is the rifle's serial number right next to the date code, clearly applied in a neat line with the same die set to the same depth by the same individual at the same time? The subcontractor for the stock would have had no idea what the rifle's serial number was to be. The handguard is stamped with the serial number only, and it's identical in every way with that stamped into the stock. We're saying that this serial was stamped by the handguard's maker? Really?

Occam's razor, guys. The simplest explanation is that JP Sauer was in the habit of often stamping their stocks with the rifle's date of assembly. There's the theory; now someone with access to original records needs to prove or disprove it.

Also, stock makers codes were generally placed on the stock under the butt plate, not in the barrel channel, were they not?
 
well, sauer and erma k98's seem to be coded and dated in the channel where others are under the buttplate. None of us were there so sometimes it just speculation. Im not sure how the would of known the code of the stock manufacture ? Saure was an assembler so its not to far fetched to think they didnt finish their own stocks.

Also going off the trend that all other parts come from vendors with the codes applied by the sub-contracors I cant see why stocks would be any different. Or how the assembler would know where they came from to applie the code ???
 
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tsmgguy said:
Others have opined that the alphanumerics in the stock barrel channels of some JP Sauer (ce) produced 98Ks represent the date the stock was made. I belive that what is obviously a date code is instead the rifle's final assembly date.

Here are a few photos of a 1940 dated, ce marked 98k. Note how the serial number and date blocks are neatly applied in the same line within the stock, with dies of the same size, and (I believe) by the same individual at the same time, during final assembly.
Click to expand...

I think Mauser 99 is right on this issue. One gun does not make a rule for sure. Just looking at your example here the 4 is not the same style/font on the stock code and serial number.

Brian
 
mauser99 said:
well, sauer and erma k98's seem to be coded and dated in the channel where others are under the buttplate. None of us were there so sometimes it just speculation. Im not sure how the would of known the code of the stock manufacture ? Saure was an assembler so its not to far fetched to think they didnt finish their own stocks.

Also going off the trend that all other parts come from vendors with the codes applied by the sub-contracors I cant see why stocks would be any different. Or how the assembler would know where they came from to applie the code ???
Click to expand...

I was doing some research on a recent K98 I purchased and found this thread. This week I picked up a nice ce 43. All matching with the serial number 881. No alpha code beside number. So I speculated the gun was made Jan 43. Today I removed the stock and hand guard. Both stock and hand are numbered to rifle. Serial number is in channel. But unusual is the Na marking with 6 10 43 It is in line with the 881 serial number. I assume the 6 10 43 is June 10 1943. Wonder why it took so long to assemble this rifle? Thoughts or comments appreciated.
 
Hallo BuceHMX,
I think 6.10.43 is October 6 1943. In Germany is first number day, second number month.
 
Date Code?

I think the date is 6th day of the 10th week of 43. On European calendars the week is the first number that is listed then the day. Also they start their week on Monday, not Sunday like the U.S. calendars. So the 6th day would be Saturday. The 10th week would be in March. I have a European calendar on the wall over my computer. We are in the 14th week this week.
 
Stock dates

kar66 said:
I think the date is 6th day of the 10th week of 43. On European calendars the week is the first number that is listed then the day. Also they start their week on Monday, not Sunday like the U.S. calendars. So the 6th day would be Saturday. The 10th week would be in March. I have a European calendar on the wall over my computer. We are in the 14th week this week.
Click to expand...

I'm of the same mind on this subject, it's the only logical one. The first time you find 6-39-40 stamped on a stock you'll understand why this is the only explanation that flies. Gotta think like a German in this respect, not like an American...
 
Banner said:
I'm of the same mind on this subject, it's the only logical one. The first time you find 6-39-40 stamped on a stock you'll understand why this is the only explanation that flies. Gotta think like a German in this respect, not like an American...
Click to expand...


Gotcha so that would put the gun being assembled sometime in early March. That's very neat. Thank you all.
 
Since the stock matches the rifle the only logical conclusion is that the action and receiver was produced in late 1942, marked as such, and assembled on the 10th month of 43. Typically, the metal is ahead of the wood but obviously that is not a firm rule. It seems to me we need an extensive stock code/date to receiver study. I am sure that will vary by manufacturer, so it will be by maker to be meaningful.
 
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