"S" marking on K98 parts
- Thread starter M1903A3
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M1903A3
Keeper of the Def's Head
"S" marking on K98 parts
More pics. These are out of an RC bolt assembly that I picked up which was the entire back half minus the body and extractor. The Russians did a half way job on this bolt, missing grinding off a bunch of markings and not electro-pencilling all of the pieces either. Note that the firing pin serial got scrubbed but not the WaA or the "s". Also note the "v" on the barrel of the firing pin, and the remains of a WaA on the safety.
More pics. These are out of an RC bolt assembly that I picked up which was the entire back half minus the body and extractor. The Russians did a half way job on this bolt, missing grinding off a bunch of markings and not electro-pencilling all of the pieces either. Note that the firing pin serial got scrubbed but not the WaA or the "s". Also note the "v" on the barrel of the firing pin, and the remains of a WaA on the safety.
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Cocking piece is an RC, and the e marking is typical for parts made by Hermann Köhler, mostly used on bcd's.
As to the S markings, nobody knows for sure, but I can tell you that the majority of pre-war armorers parts have S markings. I personally think it's a holdover to the time when Simson was the only firm allowed to make spare components, and was continued even after it was unneeded (much like S/ code 98k manufacturers markings). I feel the S was meant to imply Simson, since they were allowed to make rifles as well (see S marked 98b's) in post WW1 Germany. These small S markings disappear around the same time S/ codes disappear.
It's all just theories as there really isn't a reason given in the surviving documents as to WHY the S/ codes were introduced.
As to the S markings, nobody knows for sure, but I can tell you that the majority of pre-war armorers parts have S markings. I personally think it's a holdover to the time when Simson was the only firm allowed to make spare components, and was continued even after it was unneeded (much like S/ code 98k manufacturers markings). I feel the S was meant to imply Simson, since they were allowed to make rifles as well (see S marked 98b's) in post WW1 Germany. These small S markings disappear around the same time S/ codes disappear.
It's all just theories as there really isn't a reason given in the surviving documents as to WHY the S/ codes were introduced.
M1903A3
Keeper of the Def's Head
Thanks Farb, very very interesting!!! Yeah I knew the other marks that the Russians didn't scrub but I hadn't ever seen an explanation for the "s" marking. Plus if that's in the first of your books for the early K98's I don't have a copy of that (yet) so I would have missed out.
Thanks for the info Farb!!! I too love the unexplained mysteries in K98's.
Thanks for the info Farb!!! I too love the unexplained mysteries in K98's.
I also found a few perplexing s stamps on some of my Bolt parts, most of the bolt is matching serials yet it has imperial proofs and s marks, but even weird script S under the receiver bolt mm to rifle. http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?20162-Help-with-explanation-of-bolt-markings
Here's a couple pics of my bolt with a couple S marks.
Mine has a lot of Imperial proofs with Waf amt 214.
Mine has a lot of Imperial proofs with Waf amt 214.
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SAM S.C.S.
Active member
Waffenamt and the letter S
The S kind of looks like an Imperial S but then again it looks like a modern S with a slash through it to me. Imperial S's were more script looking weren't they?
This is my OPINION, The S was slashed by inspector 214 after he inspected the older parts and approved them for active service in the German army.
The S kind of looks like an Imperial S but then again it looks like a modern S with a slash through it to me. Imperial S's were more script looking weren't they?
This is my OPINION, The S was slashed by inspector 214 after he inspected the older parts and approved them for active service in the German army.
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M1903A3
Keeper of the Def's Head
This makes a lot of sense, I think it's a good theory.
Yeah I think you're probably right, I've never seen it on another before. Here's what I think is a script S under my receiver, could be a g I dunno. I figured on a thin piece such as ejector that a full script S would be to hard to do so they used a basic form? A few of my bolt parts are 214 stamped with a plain S only the ejector has the slash through it, some parts have imperial proofs only. Mr Farbs n some other bloke have said it's an armoury bolt. Note the 1 (I think) on rear of sightleaf and on back of cocking piece.
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Although looking at it again the s has quite a slant on it. Not like the S on firing pin and under cocking piece.
