Third Party Press

M1918 Tankgewehr Arrived!

biggymu said:
For those of us unfamiliar, what is the difference between a standard model and Kurz relative to this example? Thanks!
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I believe Ian explains it the best in this video comparing the two models. But basically, the KURZ is the earlier, shorter model than the later standard length model. The standard, although longer, is actually lighter than the KURZ model.
 
biggymu said:
For those of us unfamiliar, what is the difference between a standard model and Kurz relative to this example? Thanks!
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Essentially the difference is the barrel. The Kurz had a marginally shorter and more robust barrel than the standard model. The barrel is 10 cm shorter on the Kurz model. There are a few other differences as well such as the rear sight, triggerguard, bolt, markings/numbering/proofing and a couple of other areas but the barrel is the main feature.

Sorry, my response apparently crossed with mholmes1
 
Hey! My example made a cameo in the video (the standard one) haha.

Slash nailed it. Just to expand; The Kurz had much longer sight graduations... Once they realized the limited penetration range, they only went up to 500m on the sight leaf for the standard models.

The Kurz is just a bit heavier too. Kind of counterintuitive, but the thicker barrel made a difference.
 
mholmes1 - Can you help with the marking under the rear sight leaf? Is this an upside-down 11? Or 41? Or?
 

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Slash said:
mholmes1 - Can you help with the marking under the rear sight leaf? Is this an upside-down 11? Or 41? Or?
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It’s an upside down 11. Not sure what it means sense the top facing side of the leaf has the matched serial 215. Any thoughts?
 
mholmes1 said:
It’s an upside down 11. Not sure what it means sense the top facing side of the leaf has the matched serial 215. Any thoughts?
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Thanks for the response. Possibly an assembly number? Don't know for sure. The numbering is not always present but fairly consistent (location, font, placement, etc) when encountered. Have been compiling information on the marking(s) in hopes of spotting trends or other details.
 
Slash said:
Thanks for the response. Possibly an assembly number? Don't know for sure. The numbering is not always present but fairly consistent (location, font, placement, etc) when encountered. Have been compiling information on the marking(s) in hopes of spotting trends or other details.
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Ok gotcha. I’ll look over it more and see if I can find anymore possible assembly numbers or something of the sorts.
 
Good Evening All,

Congrats on a very nice purchase. I, too, have an early production serial number (265) that is not a Kurz. Mine also came with the stamped bipod. The next purchase will be for you to find the tubular, issued bipod. Do you intend to shoot the T?

Randy
 
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Rescuerandy2 said:
Good Evening All,

Congrats on a very nice purchase. I, too, have an early production serial number (265) that is not a Kurz. Mine also came with the stamped bipod. The next purchase will be for you to find the tubular, issued bipod. Do you intend to shoot the T?

Randy
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Not at the moment as I only have the one original round. I know of a few people looking to get custom made brass or atleast alternatives and working with prototypes at the moment. If I can get my hand on more ammo i definitely will!
 
Good Morning,

Keep that round for display purposes and for as a standard if you intend to work up your own rounds. Yes, a few of us were working with RCC Brass to make the T-Gewehr cases. However, RCC has gone into Chapter 7 bankruptcy and we are without any supplier of original cases. There are folks who can have a machinist turn cases but that seems to be a stretch. Most shooters, and myself, are working with 50BMG cases and custom made bullets. You will need a set of dies and a large press to work the cases, moving the shoulders back, but it is doable. I have had my bolthead modified to take the 50BMG and am awaiting the dies. CH4D is the die maker of choice, but they are on a 2.5 year backorder. So, I am having Hornady copy a loaner die set for much more than the CH4D set would cost. Just cannot wait for another 2 years!!

You can see the 50BMG secured in the bolthead with the new extractor and an insert soldered into the bolthead face to center the round. I hope to have all this setup next month and see how the 50s work with the modifications.

Randy

PS That is a raw 50BMG case that will need the shoulder moved back. Look at you original and you will see what you will need to do to make the shoulder ready for the T-Gewehr.
 

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Good Evening,

Hit the range last Saturday and had all of my 20 50BMG rounds chamber, fire, and extract with ease. Thanks John Taylor and friends for helping me get the T-Gewehr cycling like it was 1918.

While cleaning the rifle, I found my 50BMG brushes were not wide enough to engage the lands. With the rod not turning, it was clear that I need another size brush. What do you use for your T-Gewehr. Thanks, Randy
 
Rescuerandy2 said:
Good Evening,

Hit the range last Saturday and had all of my 20 50BMG rounds chamber, fire, and extract with ease. Thanks John Taylor and friends for helping me get the T-Gewehr cycling like it was 1918.

While cleaning the rifle, I found my 50BMG brushes were not wide enough to engage the lands. With the rod not turning, it was clear that I need another size brush. What do you use for your T-Gewehr. Thanks, Randy
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Take a video if you get the chance next time! I love seeing these things fire. Still one of my bucket list items.
 
This was my first shot with the rifle at 180gr of powder and an 800gr bullet. Last Saturday, I bumped up to 195gr and it thumped more! Randy
 
Did have one small issue. If I seated the primer a bit below flush, I had a few rounds needing a second strike. All the rounds with flush primers went off on first pull. For such a large round using a larger primer, the firing pin seems to protruded no more than a Gew98. Hmmm. Randy
 

Was finally able to take the Tankgewehr out to the range after I got custom made 13.2mm ammo made for it. Two different loads were made, a heavy that's close to the original and a lighter cast load. Shot at a 4x4 target at about 100 yards with center POA. I'd say that's Minute of Tank!

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mholmes1 said:

Was finally able to take the Tankgewehr out to the range after I got custom made 13.2mm ammo made for it. Two different loads were made, a heavy that's close to the original and a lighter cast load. Shot at a 4x4 target at about 100 yards with center POA. I'd say that's Minute of Tank!

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Sweet! Congrats btw on the M28/30 you snagged from the trade section. Was on my short list because I have 1937 M28/30 and two 1935 dated examples. With your heavy bullet round what was the muzzle velocity? I would not wanna make and test load data for that thing alot 😂 waaaay to much punishment.
 
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