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Pre-WW2 Training rifles

wawasee3wawasee3 Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited December 2013 in Ask the Experts
I have a 22 training rifle that was brought back from Germany during WW2. It is marked BSW Suhl Mod. W 625 B. Its in great condition and shoots well. Thanks for any insight, Andy There are several proofs on the reciever and the barrel, as well as FLUSS-STAHL KRUPP-ESSEN on the barrel. It was a bring back along with a MARS BB rifle, they look very similer and also resemble a K-98. Thanks Andy The proofs are crown B crown U 5.4mm and crown B crown U on the reciever.

Comments

  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There were two basic types of German training rifles, a KKW or a DSM.
    BSW (and others) did make them, but yours doesn't sound like one unless there are some validating markings.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a bring back trainer made by Erma. Great shooter once you get past the two stage trigger. It is a single shot that looks a lot like a 98 Mauser. If you google "BSW Suhl Mod. W 625 B." there are pic's and other references.

    My Erma has the side sling notch, take down washer, sliding rear tangent sight and a bayonet lug, missing the cleaning rod.

    It also has a spring loaded front sight protector.
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It would be best for positive identification and valuation, if you could post quality photos of the rifle. Original "DSM" training rifles, factory original, in Very Good to Excellent condition. Have become very desirable collectors items. The ones with the "BSW" markings were only made for a limited time, until the name was changed to Gustloff-Werke.


    Instructions for posting photos, at the link below.


    http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294






    EDIT #1,

    Just went through Walter's "Rifles of the World", prior to posting. His take on it, was the early "DSM's" weren't uniform, over all the various manufacturers. They were single shot basic trainers, in various configurations. Some according to him, were even half-stocked.

    It wasn't till 1936 when the Versailles Treaty was thrown under the bus. That the full militarized KKW 98 clones appeared. These had all the military features like the bayonet mount and the stock cut for the side sling.

    I'm not altogether sure if the BSW name had been changed to Gustloff, at that point of time?
  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruf, the BSW Suhl Mod. W 625 B is NOT a DSM. The DSM-34 was made by several manufactures and has a real bayonet lug.
    Not to say that the 625 wasn't used by local HJ or paramilitary clubs in a training capacity, but without a HJ stamp or other marking (you know the Krauts were atypical about property marks!), it's just a commercial .22 rifle.

    ADDENDUM: I have Laws' book in the shop, but I remember that some early K98k's still had a BSW stamp on the receiver. That will be an easy way to determine when the changeover happened.
  • williwmwilliwm Member Posts: 195 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    p3shyking, the DSM 34 has no bayonet lug.

    Simson, a Jewish owned company, produced the 625 series til they were taken over by the Nazi's and became the BSW company in 1936. BSW continued to produce 625s. In 1939, BSW became the Gustloff-Werke.

    Many German companies made their own designed "trainer" rifles before(and even after) the Nazi's standardized their(the government) design in 1934 in the DSM34. The KKW was introduced about 1938 or 1939 to replace the DSM34.
  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by williwm
    p3shyking, the DSM 34 has no bayonet lug.

    Simson, a Jewish owned company, produced the 625 series til they were taken over by the Nazi's and became the BSW company in 1936. BSW continued to produce 625s. In 1939, BSW became the Gustloff-Werke.

    Many German companies made their own designed "trainer" rifles before(and even after) the Nazi's standardized their(the government) design in 1934 in the DSM34. The KKW was introduced about 1938 or 1939 to replace the DSM34.



    Yes it does. I have an ERMA DSM, Serno 7744 with Deutsches Sportmodell on the right side. It has a bayo lug, a leaf K98k rear sight, and a through the stock sling. It also has an LKJ stamp on the stock and an Erfurt telephone number.[:D]

    It also has a bolt takedown washer in the stock just like a K98k.
  • williwmwilliwm Member Posts: 195 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
    quote:Originally posted by williwm
    p3shyking, the DSM 34 has no bayonet lug.

    Simson, a Jewish owned company, produced the 625 series til they were taken over by the Nazi's and became the BSW company in 1936. BSW continued to produce 625s. In 1939, BSW became the Gustloff-Werke.

    Many German companies made their own designed "trainer" rifles before(and even after) the Nazi's standardized their(the government) design in 1934 in the DSM34. The KKW was introduced about 1938 or 1939 to replace the DSM34.

    You certainly would have a different one! I have a small collection and have never seen one with a lug. I would love to see it. I'm located over in Mobile county, would it be possible for me to see it sometime in the not too distant future? thanks, mw



    Yes it does. I have an ERMA DSM, Serno 7744 with Deutsches Sportmodell on the right side. It has a bayo lug, a leaf K98k rear sight, and a through the stock sling. It also has an LKJ stamp on the stock and an Erfurt telephone number.[:D]

    It also has a bolt takedown washer in the stock just like a K98k.
  • williwmwilliwm Member Posts: 195 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    p3skyking, my reply was intermingled in the above post, sorry,

    here was what I wanted to post;

    You certainly would have a different one! I have a small collection and have never seen one with a lug. I would love to see it. I'm located over in Mobile county, would it be possible for me to see it sometime in the not too distant future? thanks, mw
  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by williwm
    p3skyking, my reply was intermingled in the above post, sorry,

    here was what I wanted to post;

    You certainly would have a different one! I have a small collection and have never seen one with a lug. I would love to see it. I'm located over in Mobile county, would it be possible for me to see it sometime in the not too distant future? thanks, mw


    Sure, you can see it and a whole bunch more. Come I10 to Baldwin, get off at Malbis, take Hwy 31 North through Stapleton, go about 4-5 more miles. I'm two miles South of Bay Minette on the left side next to a big brown metal building.
    Best to come in the morning around nine to twelve.
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