DSM-34 (Erma) - Unit Markings?

[Alan Smith]

Disc photo #3

[Alan Smith]

Disc photo #4

[Alan Smith]

Again, any and all suggestions on the stock disk (and buttplate) markings are much appreciated.

[herd118]

Sold-Bd is supposed to be Soldaten Bund (Federation of Soldiers)

[jh-ss44]

nice rifle indeed ! over all condition is great.
I don't have one yet. hopefully soon....
erma seems to be seen less often these days.
jeff

[FestungSpanien]

Nice pictures and lovely rifle

[Alan Smith]

Yes - I think that's it: "Sold-Bd" , i.e. an abbreviation for "Soldatenbund". My recollecion is that this was (is) what the German military veterans' associations are called.

I wonder what a military veteran's association would need and/or do with military-style training rifles in the early Nazi era? Possibly the Soldatenbund maintained rifle ranges where members could engage in recreational shooting?

Thanks for the help and, hopefully, persons with detailed knowledge of the Soldatenbund will drop in with some ideas.

[Bob in OH]

Yes, definitely Sold. Bd. I have two that have this abbrev. stamped into the TD disc, and I like your electropenciled example. Not sure either exactly how these were used given the property mark. Someone once mentioned a shooting "club" but for who etc. Would be interesting to know more. Yours has the added property of the P?? These dsm trainers are normally found w/ a white buttplate, and the blued BP seems to coincide with many/most/all that are prop marked.

ERMA only made 12-13K units of their DSM34 (according to Speed) but that still represents the 2nd most common maker behind Mauser Oberndorf. There were about 16 makers and some are known with less than 10 examples total. It's a very nice example and this niche appeals to me. Does your bolt match?

[Alan Smith]

Thanks for the information, Bob - good stuff.

Yes - the bolt matches (full SN on the underside "root" of the bolt handle). Also, the last 3 digits of the SN are on the safety lever. I'll post photos of these areas if you are interested (but the photos are on my home computer, so it will be later tonight).

Very interesting observation on the blued vs. in-the-white buttplates.