Late ww2 use of G98M

[kerryboo]

I have just got a fully matching G98M which was recovered from an aid station in a village caleed Chapelle-en-Juger, near Marigny in Normandy, when the fighting ended in 1944. The village was defended by 17 SS, but my question is;- who was still using these venerable arms in the summer of 1944? The weapon is dated 1917 and 1920, Mauser Oberndorf made, with 1920 also impressed on the stock. The rear sight has been replaced by one serial numbered to the arm, with sS stamped under, for the improved ammunition, and an S stamped on the barrel. Every part, as far as I can see, is eith stamped with the full four digit number, 8705, or just 05, even the screws. It seems bizarre that it would still be in use so late in the war.

[Johnny Peppers]

The 1920 stamp adheres to the August 1920 directive to mark all Reichswehr small arms with the property mark 1920.

[TOULON44]

I have just got a fully matching G98M which was recovered from an aid station in a village caleed Chapelle-en-Juger, near Marigny in Normandy, when the fighting ended in 1944. The village was defended by 17 SS, but my question is;- who was still using these venerable arms in the summer of 1944? The weapon is dated 1917 and 1920, Mauser Oberndorf made, with 1920 also impressed on the stock. The rear sight has been replaced by one serial numbered to the arm, with sS stamped under, for the improved ammunition, and an S stamped on the barrel. Every part, as far as I can see, is eith stamped with the full four digit number, 8705, or just 05, even the screws. It seems bizarre that it would still be in use so late in the war.

hello
may have we some pics ?
bernard

[cossack1648]

rifle

If the rifle was still usable and OK, it could be in use. Or maybe it was used by some rear or secondary formation and got there by accident. Maybe the unit had some shortages and they grabbed older weapons from nearby storage place. You will never know.
Jack

[kerryboo]

Here are some, sadly not too good, flash photos. If we get some sun I will try again, outdoors in natural light.

[kerryboo]

Stock markings (and woodworm)

[TOULON44]

hello

in fact these kinds of rifles could and were been used by SS during the ww2but they didn't wear the ss stamps receipt . on your rifle the S only means that it has been built and fireproofed for the S bullet and manufactured during the WW1 in 1917 then reused by the reichswehr .
bonne pioche
bernard

[kerryboo]

Full length

[kerryboo]

Bernhard,
Thank you. I was aware of the meaning of the S marks and the 1920 Reichswehr/Weimar marking. I was just puzzled that this old weapon was still on issue in July/August 1944. Quite a life it led, over 25 years of military service!

[TOULON44]

hello
why not , these weapons were still servicible in 1944 i remember a pic where we could see germans soldiers armed with french lebel on the atlantic wall .
they used all available arms
bernard ( without H because as you i'm french )

[Gimpy117]

well considering we'd been bombing their production centers it makes sense the German army would use the guns that were available. they didn't have the luxury like the allies had of having production only limited by the money they had available