Flakvierling markings WaA/makers code question.

[Pathfinder]

I recently purchased a 95% complete, 1942 dated Flakvierling 38, quad 20mm gun mount and SA52 trailer. I am completing a photographic survey prior to beginning restoration .
My question regards the makers code of "bpk" paired with the "WaA 693" possibly "683". I lean towards the " 693' after examination with a magnifying glass.

I can find no references to either. Does anyone have the big book of codes?

One could guess Rheinmetall or Mauser but I would like to sure of the code and WaA.

As soon as I am on something other than a tablet, I will post some pictures.

[MP41]

I have a list of WaA codes that I keep. Whenever I find a new one I simply add it to the list. I have been gathering these codes for over 20 years.

That being said, I have no information on either WaA693 or WaA683 being assigned. That doesn't mean they didn't exist. Just I have not seen them yet.

The closest numbers I have to those are WaA687, which what used by DWM for 20mm cases. And also WaA691 which was used by Auto Union on the Horch in 1940.

If you can, please provide good close up photos of the WaA. If I can verify it , i'll add it to my list.

Thanks,
Matt

[AndyB]

Producers of Vierling are listed as Rheinmetall Borsig and Mauser, possible the bpk could be a parts delivery producer or wrongly readed, bpr is for Grossfuss Doebeln to sample, any pictures would help probably, same as the details of WaA.b.r.Andy

[nordbaden]

I saw a lot of bpk 2 cm flak 38

Ostmark Werke GmbH from Vienna/Austria

[me6_130]

It would be nice to see a FlaKVierling 95% complete. I had quite some mags before...Now I've only got 4 or 5.

Carles

[Ronnie Fry]

My reference "Deutsche Fertigungskennzeichen" by Michael Heidler lists the following:

FKZ Hersteller Standort
683 H. Hipkow & Co.Maschinenfabrik=>"bty" Gassen(Jasien) [PL]

693 Wilhelm Reising, Maschienfabrik=>"dlz" Laggenbeck,bei Ibbenburen(NW)

bpk is as listed above.

Maybe this will help.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Rear view. Missing gunners seat.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Front view. Missing right side armor.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Left side. Missing dynamo from traverse gear box and most of the internals of the Flakviser 40. This mount is one of only two ( I believe) of the 25 odd surviving Flakvierlings with the Flakviser 40 still intact. The other is at the Ft. Sill Anti Aircraft Artillery Museum in Oklahoma currently undergoing restoration.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Right side. I have both gun mounts (sleds) for this side.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


FlaK 38 and Flakvierling loaded and ready for the trip home.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Safe and sound in my garage.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Year, serial number and makers mark.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Waffenampt, looks like #693 under a magnifying glass. Was on the other side is illegible.
Sorry for low quality pics, my phone is old.

[Pathfinder]

Photos of Flakvierling


Pile O' FlaK 38 receiver parts and the two dismounted Flakvierling gun mounts. By serial number, I have found that this mount was captured in 1945 at the Krupp Schieszplatz near Meppen, Germany.
The mount originally captured with four sequentially numbered guns. One of the demil receivers has one of the four listed serial numbers