SS/SSR

[Richard Walter]

This is a very rare matching Waffen SS short side rail sniper converted in 1937. All early SS rifles were converted WW1 Gew 98’s made to K98k specifications. Original maker roll marks were “scrubbed” from the receiver. It is one of only a handful of matching rigs known. Equipt with Ajack 4 x optics . This is now featured in Karem and Steves Karabiner 98K vol 3.

 

[sandwarrior]

Richard Walter,

I had read at some point, I do not remember where, that sometime right before WWII actually broke out that there were SS Mausers made in 7x57? This doesn't make any sense to me as either a police or military sniper. But, could these have been made in military style hunting rifles? Or, is this someone's imagination getting away from them (and I'm propagating the ignorance?)

 

[Richard Walter]

Richard Walter,

I had read at some point, I do not remember where, that sometime right before WWII actually broke out that there were SS Mausers made in 7x57? This doesn't make any sense to me as either a police or military sniper. But, could these have been made in military style hunting rifles? Or, is this someone's imagination getting away from them (and I'm propagating the ignorance?)

The SS were armed with Gew98, .8mm Mausers left over from WW1 through much of the war. It was not until ‘42-‘43 period they secured “New Production” rifles siphoned off regular Army production. While it is known they fielded anything they could get there hands on, the 7mm was logistically an unsound choice. The Wehrmacht standard rifle cartridge was 7.92. I have never seen a 7mm, SS marked rifle.

 

[sandwarrior]

The SS were armed with Gew98, .8mm Mausers left over from WW1 through much of the war. It was not until ‘42-‘43 period they secured “New Production” rifles siphoned off regular Army production. While it is known they fielded anything they could get there hands on, the 7mm was logistically an unsound choice. The Wehrmacht standard rifle cartridge was 7.92. I have never seen a 7mm, SS marked rifle.

Interesting. I thought they would have been the priority.

It made no sense to me either. It would not match up logistically in any army to have two rounds so close, but different. One of those "out of the blue" questions or statements I had no answer for. All I knew was 7.92 as well.

 

[ZG47A]

I understand that there was some work done with the 7x64 during the war but due to logistic concerns it was never adopted as a a sniper chambering. This could be the source of confusion.

 

[Richard Walter]

The SS , as a force who answered only to Hitler, were quite unpopular with the traditional German military. That was until later in the war when the tenacity with which they fought was realized . In most cases the German armies were outnumbered by as much as 5 to 1 on the Eastern front. The SS were savage and skilled warriors who almost always fought to the last man. The army groups began requesting these units. They were guilty of great atrocities but war is hell anyway.