"R" Stock Stamp discussed

k98dave

k98dave

Senior Member
Working my way thru Rough Forged and saw the example and brief review of the meaning of the "R" stamped butt stocks I have one of these BLM G-1944 and have seen one or two others. Mine is all matching except the bolt carrier (different number) and locking lugs which are un numbered Curious if the French did this on other guns as I have never seen this on K98's
 
I just re-read what I wrote about the "R" marked guns...I've never seen one that wasn't well used or outright beat. So, they must have been carried/used a lot. But, when I say "Further research is clearly warranted" (on any topic), that means I'm not quite 100% convinced yet. This week I received a parts gun with an R stock. Very lightly below the R was the name ROSALES scratched into the wood. Now, Rosales can be a French name or a Spanish name or even a Portuguese name. But, it could just be the guy in the US that owned it at one time. Still looking for the connection that would absolutely link it to France. Further research is clearly warranted.

Regards,

Darrin
 
Darrin said:
I just re-read what I wrote about the "R" marked guns...I've never seen one that wasn't well used or outright beat. So, they must have been carried/used a lot. But, when I say "Further research is clearly warranted" (on any topic), that means I'm not quite 100% convinced yet. This week I received a parts gun with an R stock. Very lightly below the R was the name ROSALES scratched into the wood. Now, Rosales can be a French name or a Spanish name or even a Portuguese name. But, it could just be the guy in the US that owned it at one time. Still looking for the connection that would absolutely link it to France. Further research is clearly warranted.

Regards,

Darrin
Click to expand...

Thanks Darrin,

Yes it would just be an interesting footnote. Other than your info I read or saw something on "forgotten weapons" I think it was that these were re issued to French border patrol units. That could be as it would have been more than regular police would be using. One of the forum members in France Guillaume d'Orange was not sure and was looking into it but never heard back. Other than the butt plate which had a hole worn thru it it was not beat up. I replaced that with one from a member that was weld repaired. I don't recall ever seeing any K98 marked in that manner so thought that was curious as well.
 
I think its probably more likely these are related to the "Propeller R" marking seen on some rifles than anything French. Hard to even think of anything French that would connect to the 'R'. These "Propeller R" rifles usually have a serial number added to the buttplate with an R prefix too. Believed to be for Hungarian police (Rendőrség) but no one knows for sure. Lots of Hungarian 43Ms in the mix, so it seems plausible.

If anyone has any plausible French explanation for the R, I'd love to hear it.

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I once owned a K98 with the same "R". It was either a byf or bnz, the rifle was a bolt MM and well used, it also had a broken firing pin. I was rather red faced as I didn't find out about this until selling the rifle to a co-worker and I had to track a new pin down, just to make it a working rifle.
 
Hi Gents,

Dave sent me a message about this thread. When I joined the forum, knowing that I'm French, he asked me about the "R":
https://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?41208-Greetings-from-a-new-French-nember

This was my reply:
"I don't know who told you that your weapon was used by "French border police" but would be glad to consider evidence in this regard. My personal opinion (not supported by documents or evidence) is that your rifle has been in use in French Indochina (you may have figured this out) and then imported or brought to the USA.

Here is a thread on the french forum with a picture of a guy in jungle fatigue with a G43:
http://www.passionmilitaria.com/t180...3-en-indochine

The reason why I'm talking about Indochina is that I cannot fancy "French border police" ("Douanes" in French) being issued with a semi-auto rifle in mainland France hunting cigarette smugglers. On the contrary, having G43 to hunt Vietminh seems appropriate."

I don't know what Darrin wrote about this "R" stamp in his book and I don't own a G41/G-K43. What I can add is that I've not seen a G41/G-K43 posted on French forums with such a stamp.
I would be happy to assist if one of you wants to ask French people more knowledgeable than I am.
My piece of advice to solve the mystery may be to inquire about how those rifles came into the USA.
 
agentcq said:
I once owned a K98 with the same "R". It was either a byf or bnz, the rifle was a bolt MM and well used, it also had a broken firing pin. I was rather red faced as I didn't find out about this until selling the rifle to a co-worker and I had to track a new pin down, just to make it a working rifle.
Click to expand...

I have a BYF marked stick with an R stamped on the kneel.
 
Interesting photo, indoch10.jpg
The comment on the R stamp being used by Border guards originally came from Ian on "Forgotten Weapons" as I recall But I would think Indo China would be more like it. Still no firm understanding on exactly what the R. means. Darren's review leaves it at more research warranted, but perhaps the level of subject interest may not be sufficient. If you get any more insight from anyone in France I'm sure Darren and others would welcome the inputs.
 
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