Gents,

 

Here is an example of the circa 1933 prototype Kar.98k carbine that was made for the German Post Office (Deutsche Reichspost). The serial number of the carbine is the same as the stock property number with the exception of an added zero. I was told that this was sometimes done in the manufacturing industry for a variety of reasons, one of which was to obtain a slightly different inventory number from the factory serial number. An odd deal anyway you look at it.

 

According to Richard Law's "Backbone of the Wehrmacht, The German K98k Rifle 1934-1945" these 1933 dated carbines can be found with similar round stock brands for the Deutsche Reichspost (D.R.P.), the German Railway Police (D.R.), and for military trials (Ch.d.A.). The Postschutz carbines sometimes have a supplementary property marking for the specific postal area stamped in the cut in the stock for the sling. The Deutsche Reichsbahn carbines sometimes have a supplementary "E" marking in the stock indicating Eisenbahn inspection or property. But, I don't know, and neither does Law, about the ones made for Wehrmacht trials since they were basically "sneak" Kar.98k military prototypes.

 

Law says two firms made these 1933 style carbines as K.98k prototypes. Mauser Werke AG in Oberndort a/N and J.P.Sauer und Sohn Gewehrfabrik in Suhl both submitted prototypes to the Heerwaffenamt. Both prototypes were "virtually identical" acording to Law. Manufacture of the K.98k by these two makers began in 1934 as "K" date "S" code rifles with the Mauser Kar.98k marked "S/42K" and the Sauer Kar.98k marked "S/147K" on the receivers. 1935 production of "G" date Kar.98k ramped up with more manufacturers and the rest is history.

 

Law quotes Heer von Lossnitzer as saying "...By the way, the Mauser rifle for the German Postal Service was within the Mauser Works a camouflage name for all the rifles which were delivered to political formations like (the) SA and SS..." Von Lossnitzer was the Inspector for Waffen u. Gerat of the Reichswehr and should know of what he speaks.

 

 

 

Nice rifle. Rich A. in Pa.

"Law quotes Heer von Lossnitzer as saying "...By the way, the Mauser rifle for the German Postal Service was within the Mauser Works a camouflage name for all the rifles which were delivered to political formations like (the) SA and SS..." Von Lossnitzer was the Inspector for Waffen u. Gerat of the Reichswehr and should know of what he speaks."

 

Thank you for that final note of clarification. I wasn't quite sure why the Postal Service would have to be so heavily armed!

Wonderful looking carbine ! Like new. Thanks for sharing

 

Tony

Great rifle. These rifles made in the 1930's were a way of getting around the Treaty of Versailles.

Thanks for the kudos gentlemen. These Postschutz carbines were made to commercial standards with very tight tolerances, particularly between the steel and wood, and wonderful finishes. Notice the deep commercial blue, which is almost entirely intact, and the nice finish to the wood. Also notice the correct early commercial style brown leather sling that does not have the later military cross-hatching on the face of the leather.

 

A very nice rifle for the Postal Police.

 

Here is a period stamp block showing the Postschutz armed with their carbines.

 

 

Nice stamps. Rich A. in Pa.

You can't beat the quality of these early to middle 1930s rifles. Great example.

What a beauty!!