DSM 34 by Geco “Deutches Sportmodell … (F 1076) Reserved

Interesting and Rare DSM 34 by Geco

This little trainer is the “Nazi-fied” later trainer, built to comply with the weapons training program which saw other makers submit their versions of the innocuous “German Sporting Model.”  Its not a perfect example but more of a survivor with its own hidden history.  Chambered as 5.4mm with pre-war German BUG proof makers.  Single shot, bolt action with a Mauser-type flag safety at rear of bolt.  This is the rifle, along with its compatriots, that trained the up and coming Nazi Wermacht underneath the noses of the Versailles Convention.  A rifle listed as a “Sport Model” but a dead ringer for the full scale K98 that was lurking in the wings of the pre-war German armament industry.

Designed and built to replicate the K98 it mirrors many of the full bore version.  The stock shape and build.  The barrel and action, even the sights, the strip-down disc and the sling arrangements are all the the same.  Once trained on such rifles it was easy to make the transition to the Wehrmacht’s full size weapon.  All the principals of proper shooting were imparted to the young and the uninitiated on these solid little trainers – and they all applied to the K98 Infantry rifle.  The main difference being the battle rifle was clip fed and had a five-shot internal magazine.

Geco were one of the lesser producers in quantity, which makes this rifle a bit more special.  Overall the rifle measures  a nominal 43.1/2″ in length.  It has a round blued barrel of 25.3/4″  and a trigger Pull of 13″ to centre.  Semi-pistol grip solid walnut stock with handguard over barrel.  Unfortunately, who ever brought this little rifle home has felt it necessary to “duffle cut” the stock.  A practice developed by soldiers not wanting to declare or show the war trophies they brought home. Consequently just behind the barrel band is a very neat joint, attaching what appears to be the front end of a regular K98 to the balance of the stock.  Also as a result it is fitted with a regular K98 front band and bayonet fitting – something that was purposely omitted from the original “Sport Model” as too much to pass under the noses of the weapons inspectors. Reason being you don’t normally fit a bayonet to a Sporting Rifle!  So in that respect it is not quite correct, but the job has been done well and the timber match is good.  Based on the rarity of the Geco as such, this is an acceptable stop gap.  If the new owner ever stumbles across a Geco fore end cap then he (or she) may act as they see fit.

Standard K-type rear sights graduated from 20 to 200 meters.  Front sight mounted on a block with rear facing anti-glare hatching.  Blued bolt non-matching with Mauser flag safety.  Bolt stop / release to rear LHS of action.  Highly blued trigger guard and smooth trigger.  Bolt strip-down disc and transverse strap slot in butt-stock.  Contoured thick steel butt-plate.   Superb period leather sling – supple and usable with wonderful stitching.  Excellent bore and mechanically fine.  A good and fairly rare Geco DSM-34.

FAC required – Stock No’ F 1076

£ 750.   (Reserved)

Comments Off on DSM 34 by Geco “Deutches Sportmodell … (F 1076) Reserved