DDR Luger Manual

[mauro]

Just received this nice DDR manual. It describes several kind of weapons and the Luger as well.
Have a look...
Cheers,
Mauro

[Wilhelm]

Anything about the g43 rifle in it?

[mauro]

I will check as soon as I am back at home.
Cheers,
MAuro

[Wilhelm]

Thanks! That would be greatly appreciated!

[Vlim]

Hi,

Nope. The book only covers the K98k, P08, MP44 (or rather StG44) and MG34.

[Wilhelm]

Oh well....

[Vlim]

I agree, it was worth a try.
The 1966 DDR manual 'Kleine Waffenkunde' also does not mention the G43. It seems the G43 was not part of the DDR arsenal in those years.

[Wilhelm]

That's part of what I'm trying to figure out.....when they were used and when they quit using them. I have one one and I would like to find out when it was reworked. I would also like to find a copy of that book!

[Schupo]

Wilhelm,

I have a copy of this book as well and the G43 is not listed as a DDR structure weapon for the Kampfgruppen.

[Wilhelm]

The general concensus over at the G/K 43 Forum is that it was issued mainly to police and militia, not the standard NVA. It is known that they were used but I have never been able to find out a timeframe and approximate numbers. Reworked ones are easy to spot because they added east german markings. Unfortunately, none of the markings included a year.

[Schupo]

Wilhelm,

I don't want to hijack Mauro's thread but yes, the Volkspolizei Waffenmeister organization had an extensive rework program. Do you have Dieter Marshall's book, "handguns of the Armed Organizations of the Soviet Occupation Zone and German Democratic Republic?"

I like police reworks and collect them. The K43 does not seem to have been a police structure weapon but the VP rewoked some weapons that were secondary issue.

How is yours marked? I am familiar with the standard DDR markings found on reworks. For instance, I have a VP reworked Kar.98 (a standard secondary structure weapon) that went through the standard VP rework process and bears the normally found markings. That is to say, the new VEB Th�¤lmann Werk barrel is both 1001 and MdI marked. The standard force match of serial numbered parts (new and old). New Suhl Nitro proofs on barrel, chamber, and bolt. Techniche G�¼te- u. Lieferbedingungen second quality marking on the stock.

How is yours marked?

[mauro]

Guys,
please feel free to analyse the new interesting topic.
The purpose is sharing knowledge

Have fun
Mauro

[Wilhelm]

Thanks mauro. I like the DDR reworks as well. If for no other reason, they are pretty cheap! Of all the reworks I have seen, the easties seem to have been the most careful and least destructive of original markings. Mine was, for the most part, left alone. It even has the original stock numbered by Walther in the proper place. The action was reblued and the entire bolt was electropenciled to match. All bolt parts now have two numbers; the original (they all matched as a unit) and the new number. The orginal numbers on the bolt carrier were ground off so well it looks original and it was restamped. The only way you can tell it was ground is by the absense of the waffenamt. For some reason, the serial was stamped in the stock again underneath the buttplate. That is weird as it is hidden unless you remove the buttplate. Also, the buttplate was originally not numbered but the easties numbered it. However, it does not match my rifle and it was subsequently "x"ed out. Was it rebuilt more than once or was the plate screwed up and replaced?? Who knows. The bolt cover has the original number (matching) but they then reelectropenciled it after the reblue. The waffenamt on the side of the stock was overstamped with the numbered starburst so that now, only the tips of the eagle's wings and the "359" are visible. The other two eagles on the stock were left alone. The stock was not sanded either as all markings are crisp. The front band and magazine were electropenciled and the triggerguard was stamped with the serial. The starburst was stamped very lightly both in front of and behind the original serial and model designation on the receiver. Also on the receiver is the "x" presumed to be placed on all russian capture weapons. But it is obvious that the russians never refinished it in their heavyhanded way. I believe that all reworking was done by the easties and that, other than the bolt, which matches itself, it is an entirely matching rifle. They don't seem to have ripped everything apart into a million pieces like the Russians did. It has a WWII marked barrel on it as well. Long winded I know. I hope this helps. I have a vopo luger and p38 as well. The only markings added to the p38 were the "x"ing of the frame serial and the new number stamped on the other side. Also, the firing pin was replaced and it was reblued. No other marks were added or removed. My luger has no marks either other than restamping the serials. They don't seem to have been very consistent with thier reworks! No, I don't have that book but, now that I know it is out there, I will. I'm finished now. Anything else you want to know....just ask.

[Schupo]

Thanks Wilhelm. Interesting information on your K43 markings. The Kar98 that I mention also has a new matching serial number applied to the stock and the buttplate like yours. All the original stamps and numbers remain on my carbine except for the firing proofs which have been dimpled and the new Nitro proofs placed next to them showing the test firing. The bolt is also Nitro proofed but this was overstamped the original eagle on the top of the bolt handle. No Russian "X" on mine and I suspect they never had their hands on it. The magazine well next to the floorplate has two Xed out serial numbers with the new matching one stamped next to them, so two refurbishings for this one too.

[Wilhelm]

I wish someone would write an authoritative book on this stuff.....it's pretty interesting. Thanks for sharing Schupo!

[A.Mifsin]

Maybe even some sketching of the markings will help to get an idea what the markings of the DDR looks like to start with.
Thank you.
Alf