Mauser Trainer used by The S.A. pre WWII………….(f 680)

A highly rare and important training rifle used by the infamous S.A.

Pre-War German training rifle oozing with history.  This one has the ownership mark of the much feared pre-war organisation, the S.A.  This was the group of bodyguards that generally rallied around Hitler at meetings.  They dressed in various military garbs, most famously, the brown shirts with swastika armbands.  S.A. literally translates as “Storm Division”  – a grand title for a bunch of thugs.  The S.A. eventually morphed into the S.S. whom figured across the board in WWII.  Hitler turned on the S.A  on the famous Night of the Long Knives as it became known, and most of the ranks were absorbed in to the later organisation.  However, this rifle is a piece of history and a reminder that it did all happen, and why we must be prepared to never let is happen again.

The rifle as presented, in in absolutely original, untouched condition.  All parts are original to the rifle and show an even degree of patina and surface wear.  It very much has the feeling of a G98 in the quality of build and type of timber used in production of the stock – a European Walnut.  The finish over both the stock and the handguard is a semi-matt with slightly more shine to areas of most commonly in contact with the user.

The rifle measures 43.5/8″ in overall length.  The round barrel is approximately 27″ long and the length of Pull is 13″ to center.  When it was brought into service all the metal components were blued; evidently this has become worn with the passage of time and the life it has been subjected to.. The most worn areas are the bridge of the receiver and the butt-plate.  As with other rifles seen of this type, the butt-plate is from a considerably thick piece of steel, but this has served its purpose well and protected the butt-stock efficiently.  Curved steel trigger guard.  Two barrel bands and a false cleaning rod.  Stock and hand-guard in fine condition showing no repairs.  The butt has the same arrangement as the larger rifles for a side mounted leather sling.  The single most important piece of evidence visible to the eye on this rifle is the stock cartouche: The stamp of the S.A. Nordmark Group.  Centrally there is the artistic working of the S.A letters and around the roundel the detail which reads “S A d. N.S.D.A.P. / Gr. Nordmark”.

Standard Mauser type bolt action set-up with no provision for a magazine, just the solid base for single shot loading.  Simple bolt with curved arm and flag safety.  Standard K98 rear sights but graduated from 20 to 200 meters.  Ordinary side mounted bolt release to rear LHS of action.  The bride of the receiver is marked, in superb gothic script as follows: “Mod. W625 C”  over a roundel design incorporating the following: “BERLIN SULER WAFFEN UND FAHRZEUGWERKE”  surrounding “BSW” / “Suhl”  To the RHS of the receiver are the commercial BUG proof marks, these are mirrored just forward on the barrel.  To the rear of the action on the LHS of the open bolt guide is a number, the meaning or purpose of which is unknown “3618” it is repeated however, underneath the stock just behind the first barrel band.  On lifting the bolt it is possible to see, on the bolt stub, the last three digits of the serial number “609”.   The top side of the bolt stub carries more proofs.

The exposed portion of the fore-end carries some nice clear stock-makers marks consisting of single letters.  On the portion of the barrel between the rear sights and the receiver the makers name is marked: “FLUSS-STAHL  KRUPT – ESSEN”.   The LHS of the barrel, just above the stock line is marked as follows: “KAL. 22  LONG RIFLE 186609”.  The front sight, an inverted “V,” is mounted on a ramp with cross-hatched rear slope to cut glare.  It is adjustable by tapping the dove-tail across during zeroing.  The action is mechanically fine and fully functioning – ejecting correctly.  The bore has four-grove RH twist rifling which does have some pitting and a little dirt within, but this does NOT seem to detract from the rifles ability to fire ten shots that all touch! (at twenty-five yards)

An unprecedented chance to pick up a rifle from a definitive and troubled period of history – who knows who may have trained on this weapon!

Please ask for Stock No’ F 680

£ 3650.

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