Third Party Press

Grandfathers Mauser ID!

I would think that would be at least a $2500 rifle. Maybe spend $650 on a russian capture k98 if you have the urge to see what it feels like.
 
heavy_mech said:
Parts were made at the Gusen subcamp as mentioned but assembly was carried out at a Steyr plant, not in Steyr but rather Molln. Here's some info from MRJ written by Loewe that I believe is pretty accurate. https://militaryriflejournal.wordpress.com/2013/12/05/steyrs-world-war-ii-rifle-production/
Click to expand...

Hey heavy_mech,

I was looking into the books and it appears that assembly didn't move to Molln until after the February '44 bombing, where as that article from Loewe says it moved in '42. However it seems that bnz 43 Gusen receivers were used on rifles assembled both at Steyr and Molln. This rifle as the barrel code 'bnz shield - ay' and my ignorance really comes out here as I haven't quite figured out where this barrel code would place this rifle in SS contract production. So this rifle could be Molln or it could be Steyr assembled.... perhaps someone far more knowledgable than I will chime in.
 
As a general guide, a serial on the receiver indicates Steyr assembly, and a barrel serial indicates Molln assembly (for early 1944 Steyr made rifles). The serial was moved at the time the production was moved. It’s not exact but close enough. With an ay barrel code I’d say late 43 assembly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mrfarb said:
As a general guide, a serial on the receiver indicates Steyr assembly, and a barrel serial indicates Molln assembly (for early 1944 Steyr made rifles). The serial was moved at the time the production was moved. It’s not exact but close enough. With an ay barrel code I’d say late 43 assembly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thanks! Thats a good rule of thumb and a lot of help.

What barrel codes start to indicate '44 assembly?
 
Last edited:
mrfarb said:
As a general guide, a serial on the receiver indicates Steyr assembly, and a barrel serial indicates Molln assembly (for early 1944 Steyr made rifles). The serial was moved at the time the production was moved. It’s not exact but close enough. With an ay barrel code I’d say late 43 assembly.
Click to expand...

Hmm. I was under the impression they were out of Steyr proper much earlier than that. Higher production priorites forced the move. Is that now considered wrong? We're going with after the bombing? For certain? I'm not trying to be arguementative, just looking for some clarity on the subject.
 
The move of 98k production from the Steyr factory to Molln was an emergency move directly related to the bombing, not for increased capacity. The building in Molln was essentially a hastily built shack - I read after the war they just burned it down, wasn’t even worth repurposing. I’ve never seen it suggested the move was for increased capacity, if anything it cut production substantially, especially short term.

Barrel code info can be found here: SS Contract and Single Rune serial study
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...thread.php?t=308&share_type=t&link_source=app

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mrfarb said:
..I’ve never seen it suggested the move was for increased capacity, if anything it cut production substantially, especially short term.
Click to expand...

I was unclear. I didn't mean for increased small arms production but rather other higher priorities of products. Ball bearings, aircraft engines, etc. I was always under the impression that what ran small arms out of Steyr.

Yes I agree the move to Molln reduced the rate of production. I did NOT know it was a 'shack'. :laugh:
 
Oh, I see. No, barrel production was moved from Letten to Steyr (then to Gusen) to free up space for other products to be made at Letten, and I’m sure some things were moved here and there at the main plant- maybe that’s what you are thinking of. The Molln move may have been thought of as a future site but the bombing made it immediate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hey guys i apologize for the late reply, works been hectic this week.

Going to sit down and start picking through the posts and replying tomorrow, but thank you all for the replies!

So yeah as far as the collection goes, it is of course very interesting that the stuff is worth a lot of money for me, and I will continue to value and detail everything because it IS fascinating....but you could literally send me a PM offering a million for it, and its still not leaving my safe! I’m sure most of you have some items like that and can appreciate it haha.

So, as an update - my first can of ballistol came this afternoon, and the project for the weekend is getting everything finished up. And on the advice of Mauserken, took the dive and ordered volume 2 of Kriegsmodell

And rest assured, that rifle will never be shot again
 
I’m biased, but I think volume 2 (that you bought) has the best info about SS contract rifles ever printed. The pair (pistol/rifle) are actually very complimentary of each other and make a great mini collection in and of themselves.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Xtremewv99 said:
So, as an update - my first can of ballistol came this afternoon, and the project for the weekend is getting everything finished up. And on the advice of Mauserken, took the dive and ordered volume 2
Click to expand...

Karabiner 98k Vol. II and Ballistol -- you're off to a great start! Those books will knock your socks off...

And do some research on Ballistol when you get a chance. You won't BELIEVE the number of uses for that stuff (starts wet engines, fertilizes vegetable gardens, et al).

Be blessed!

Richie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Military Rifle Journal
Back
Top