MilSurp of the Month, Fall, 2014, The Great War

[majspud]

In honor of the Centennial of Great War, this fall's MilSurp honors all the weapons, accoutrements, and curios of WWI. If it has to do with WWI, post it here!

Rules:

1. ANY MilSurp/C&R/period Curio or Relic, accouterments, personal items, etc. of WWI.
2. Limit of FOUR entries per person.
3. Up to FOUR pictures per entry with brief information; cost, significance, etc.
4. If multiple entries, please put in title (go advanced) "Entry #2", etc.
5. Entries close Thanksgiving Day
6. Chit chat/comments/reps allowed - this is supposed to be fun - we all like to show off

Entry#

1. JuergenG: Erfurt 1916/1920 double date Kar.98; RVF marked

2. majapud#1: War Bond Prize; matched 1892 Spandau Gew88/S.

3. 45collector: 1915 DWM P.08 S/N XX55

4. JuergenG#2: matched 1916 DWM Artillery Luger rig

5. martin08: Austrian captured and re-issued Russian Mosin Nagant M91

6. Sweeney#1: matched 1917 Amberg Gew98 with bayonet

7. Sweeney#2: All correct 8/18 M17 Eddystone

8. Sweeney#3: 11/18 M03 Springfield

9. xcom: 1907 Enfiled MkIII SMLE , unit marked to the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

10. dhuze: 1918 Colt M1911

11. xcom#2: American WW1 Helmet. 2nd Division, 17th Field Artillery, 3rd Battalion

12. martin08#2: M1915 German Infantry Picklehaube leather helmet

13. martin08#3:1918 Erfurt Luger bringback.

14. Fattman: 1918 luger P08 eurfurt

15. majspud#2: small WW1 currency collection

16. Maninblue1861: 7/18 original M17 Eddtstone

17. Maninblue1861#2: 7/18 M03 Springfield

18. majspud#3: matched RSAF 1916 Enfield SMLE

19. 30Mauser: 1917 C96 Mauser broom-handle bring back

20. JuergenG#2: DWM 1916 Lange Pistole 08 a.k.a. Artillery Luger all matching w/ original holster, cleaning rod and tool.

21. majspud#4: 1884 M1870/87/1915 Italian Vetterli fucil

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[JuergenG]

Erfurt 1916/1920 double date Kar.98

OK, I'll play:
A rifle which has served several masters during her career; the German Imperial Army, the Reichswehr and the Reichsfinanzverwaltung (R.F.V.). Built at the Erfurt arsenal in 1916.

 

[majspud]

Thanks to Juergen for starting it off!

My 1st entry: Bond Drive Prize; 1892 Spandau Gew88/S.

By 1915 the Germans, as well as the other powers, realized that this would be a long war and there were not enough Gew98s to go around. They found a way to make an economical conversion of the Gew88 to fire the 7.92x57mm ‘S’ cartridge. The rear sight markings were ground off and changed to match the ballistics of the ‘S’ cartridge's spitzer bullet. The magazine bottom was covered with a spring backed disc which kept dirt out of the magazine and allowed the Mannlicher en-bloc clip to be ejected out of the top of the action. The Crown/S cartouche on the stock was added to identify these modifications beyond the simple bore and throat enlargement of the simpler, earlier, ‘S’ conversion (on the receiver) which enabled the Gew88 to chamber and fire the "S" cartridge only on an emergency basis. The Germans converted at least 202,714 Gew88’s to the /S modification between 1915 and the end of 1916.

As was practice, this piece was most likely given as a 'prize' to a U.S. citizen who bought a certain amount of War Bonds; the firing pins were clipped and the bolt head removed to make the weapon safe. All matching save replacement bolt head and firing pin (have the clipped original), and this rifle is unit marked K.F.R.7.162; the Kaiser Franz Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr.2, waffe #162. Expected stock dings, the finish mostly still blue, but all there and matched down to the screws with an original sling.

The bayonet is an original 'Ersatz' (replacement) type, modified to fit the Gew88. It sports it's original coat of green paint, although the maker marks have been ground off, a Crown over 10 is still partly visible (1910).

 

[45collector]

1915 DWM P.08 S/N XX55
All matching except the mag, which is period correct.
Original finish. Straw finish on those parts (take down latch, trigger, mag catch, safety and ejector) is mostly gone, except the part of the magazine catch that's protected by the right grip. It retains the golden color like the day it left the factory almost 100 years ago.
Bore is very lightly pitted but rifling is good.
I've never fired it and I may never, considering what beautiful shape it's in for a WWI P.08.
I have detail stripped it, and everything is correct, original, and matching. It has the million dollar chip, of course.

 

[majspud]

I know there is a TON of WWI stuff out there in NES land. How about 1 post per day? Let's make this a big post.

T

 

[JuergenG]

DWM1916 Lange Pistole 08 a.k.a. Artillery Luger. All matching with original holster, cleaning rod and tool.
She has the fine adjustable rear and front sight, whereas they did away with the adj. front sight somewhen
in 1917. I have a specimen of the latter, too.

 

[martin08]

I'll add the Austrian captured and re-issued Russian Mosin Nagant M91, as seen in the following thread.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/252610-WWI-Austrian-Capture-Mosin-Nagant-Model-1891

 

[Sweeney]

I'll toss in a 1917 Amberg Gew 98, all matching numbers with a 1915 'butcher blade'.



an all correct Eddystone M1917 manufactured August of 1918



and a Springfield 1903 with 11-18 on the barrel soooo... It's sporting my home made USMC front sight cover and Bill Bentz USMC sights. Refurbished at Springfield Armory.

 

[majspud]

We're on a roll! Keep 'em coming.

T

 

[martin08]

Produced in the final months of the Great War, but never sent overseas.

Model 1917 Eddystone in unissued condition. Accompanied by an M1905 Remington bayonet (1917 dated) and GK scabbard.

 

[Stryker]

Beautiful stuff gents! Thanks for sharing.

 

[xcom]

Here's mine, Enfiled MkIII SMLE dated 1907. The sights, volley sights, barrel, muzzle and receiver all have matching numbers and mag cut off. The bolt looks to have a different number so it may be a replacement. It has ". 08" which I believe means it was accepted into service in 1908 by the British Army.

The disc is as follows:

Jan 1915
8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
rack/weapon number 715

The 8th Bn was a wartime raised (Service Battalion) I think from the Newcastle area and I believe one of the battalions that served at Gallipoli in 1915. If so, and assuming the disc was not switched, she could have been sent right to Gallipoli with the 8th.

8th (Service) Battalion
The 8th (Service) Battalion was formed at Newcastle on 19 August 1914. as part of Kitchener's First New Army – K1 – and was assigned to the 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division at Grantham. In July 1915 it departed for the Mediterranean and landed at Gallipoli on 7 August. In January 1916 it moved to Egypt where it formed part of the Suez Canal Defences, and in July to France where it spent the rest of the war (still in 34th Brigade, 11th Division). It was disbanded on 27 June 1919 at Newcastle. It fought in the following battles:
Battles of Suvla including the Landing at Suvla Bay and the Battle of Scimitar Hill
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Messines (1917)
Third Battle of Ypres
Battle of Arras (1918)
Battles of the Hindenburg Line
Final Advance in Picardy

 

[dhuze]

I have a 1918 mfg Colt 1911. I have all the non-USGI parts except for the sights. The sights on this were on it when I bought it.

 

[xcom]

Figure I would keep this alive with a non-firearm post (although I think I posted it on the forum before).

Here is my WW1 Helmet. 2nd Division, 17th Field Artillery, 3rd Battalion insignia painted on it. Helmet is all original and the leather and material is all in good shape.

 

[martin08]

Awesome idea with the helmet!

Here's mine, an M1915 German Infantry Picklehaube leather helmet. Pictured with a 1918 Erfurt Luger bringback.

 

[Fattman]

1918 luger P08 eurfurt

Its 2 firearms top half and bottom half including matching mag. Don't know a ton about it yet but had to have it.

Paid $950 at auction and does not appear re-blued its worn in the right places. barrel is awesome. I did replace the firing pin original was broken. Original numbered grips.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[xcom]

Awesome idea with the helmet!

Here's mine, an M1915 German Infantry Picklehaube leather helmet. Pictured with a 1918 Erfurt Luger bringback.

Nice! I read someplace that the spike was intended to deflect saber swipes. Obviously in the first year of the war they realized that it was just extra metal...

 

[SpankyMA1971]

These are some awesome firearms so far!

 

[majspud]

Here's a small collection of WW1 currency. Note the bilingual set up of the Austrian note in German and Hungarian on account of the Empire's polyglot makeup.

Germany: 1914 1-Mark
Austria: 1915 10-Kroner
French military currency: 1917 1-and 2-Francs
Russia: 1917 20-Rubles
Italy: 1918 1-Lire

 

[majspud]

Back from the dead (page 2)

T

 

[Maninblue1861]

Entry #1 All original 7-18 Eddystone m1917 Enfield. Every part original Eddystone marked including barrel with 7-18 date. MZ 1 TE 2.5




Entry #2 A 7-18 m1903 Springfield. Was found in box 100% striped down to complete parts kit. Barrel is a 1942 SA replacement. Looks to have had a unertl scope block mounted on barrel at some time. Nice to revive one old soldier.

 

[Maninblue1861]

Better pics of entry 2

 

[The5thDentist]

Awesome stuff.

 

[majspud]

majspud #3 matched RSAF 1916 Enfield SMLE

1916 RSAF Enfield, totally matched with original barrel in VG+. Includes original WW1 sling, 1917 bayonet, 1916 action cover, 1916 sling, and oiler. Rifle has the early features of an adjustable windage rear sight and round cocking piece. Hopefully it will get along with my matched 1916 Danzig Gew98.

T

 

[30Mauser]

Entry #1 - 1917 Mauser C96 "Broomhandle"

I hate to repost, but given the few, yet reasonably quality, guns in my milsurp collection, here is my eponym,

Mauser C96 "Broomhandle". All numbers matching, including the holster/stock. It is stamped with the proof of Kaiser Wilhelm, as well as a proof showing it received into the Viennese armory in 1917.

It was captured by my maternal grandfather, then-MAJ R. Potter Campbell Jr. (13th AD) in the spring of 1945 from a surrendering officer in charge of a team of Hitlerjugend who were manning a howitzer.

The leather harness is a modern reproduction.

 

[JuergenG]

DWM 1916 Lange Pistole 08 a.k.a. Artillery Luger all matching w/ original holster, cleaning rod and tool.
The 1916 still has the fine adjustable fron sight, whereas they did away with this in the first half of 1917,
leaving the fine adjustable rear sight.





Sight adjustment tool, acquired through GB. Likely a repro.

 

[majspud]

We've hit 20 posts. Holding out for 50.

T

 

[majspud]

Two weeks, nada. Back from the dead. Three weeks left - let's hit 50 entries!

T

 

[majspud]

OK, my last shot, ending where I began with the reissue of older arms to fill the increased need of an expanding conflict.

1884 M1870/87/1915 Italian Vetterli fucil. Originally manufactured as a single shot black powder rifle and chambered in 10.4x47R by Brescia, serial number NP 3926. These rifles were converted first to a Vitali four round box magazine fed with a Mannlicher style clip from 1887-1896, still in 10.4x47R, until superseded by the M91 Carcano. Starting in 1915 they were converted again with a barrel liner and new magazine to the now standard 6.5x52mm Carcano cartridge as an emergency measure due to Italy’s chronic arms shortage in WWI (and WWII). These conversions were intended for home guard, police forces, and new regiments that were not expected to see combat – as the black powder designed Vetterli action was deemed not up to prolonged firing with the higher pressures of the modern smokeless powder Carcano cartridge. Stock marked ‘S. Polotti over E. FIGLI’ (S. Polotti and sons) and renumbered to match on the right side, and a hexagonal stamp with ROMA and 1916 as the date of the conversion on the right side. Bore is bright and sharp. Overall condition is exceptional with good wood and clear cartouches and stampings. Sling is an original, similar, M89/11 Swiss style.

T

 

[30Mauser]

Entry #2 - 1924 Colt M1911 "Transition" Model

1924 Colt M1911 "Transition" Model. Picked this up from an well-known collector's estate consignment last month.

Delivered to the Springfield Armory on February 7th, 1924 in the second 1000-piece shipment from Colt.

Only 10,000 of these were made that year (earlier runs stopped in 1919 and next batch was 1937), and while they included all of the requested modifications for the M1911A1 model, that designation wasn't formalized by the military until 1926, hence the moniker "Transition" Model.

All components, including barrel and magazine, are correct for that year, and the holster included in the sale is from 1918.