A pretty simple little bit of kit, these are a pair of green Italian made leather ammunition pouches for the Carcano infantry carbine. These date from pre-1943.
Archive for WW2
Italian Carcano Ammunition Pouches
Posted in Ammo & Magazine Pouches with tags Ammunition, Italy (Fascist), WW2 on October 18, 2020 by The Dude2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling Magazine
Posted in Magazines with tags Flak, Germany (Third Reich), Heer, Magazines, WW2 on August 5, 2020 by The Dude
This is the 10 round magazine for the 20mm Flak 30/38 anti-aircraft gun. These were blued steel and supplied in cases of two. This example is stamped cjs for the manufacturer Kallenbach, Meyer & Franke Metallwarenfabrik in Luckenwalde. It is dated 1943. Amusingly Canadian regulations require all magazines for “rifles” to be pinned for 5 rounds as this helpfully has been. For scale I have put one of the mags for my K43 rifle in the photo.
2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling HE round
Posted in Ammunition with tags Ammunition, Flak, Germany (Third Reich), Heer, WW2 on August 5, 2020 by The DudeA fairly straightforward item here. I got this from Andrew so that I would have one round for the magazine I bought from him. This is an HE 20mm round for the 2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling. It has the asr code for “HAK” Hanseatisches Kettenwerk in Hamburg-Langenhorn as well as the WaA271 inspection stamp for that factory.
Italian Breda M37 HMG
Posted in Firearms with tags Italy (Fascist), Machine Guns, WW2 on May 10, 2020 by The Dude
This heavy machine gun appeared out of nowhere this last month. It’s manufactured by Breda in 1939. It all matches however the barrel has a 1938 roll date so I am assuming they dated the major parts upon manufacture and then assembled them later. It’s a dewat obviously but a nice one, with a moving bolt and a topcover that lifts to reveal the guts of the gun. A great back drop to my Carcanos!
Italian M91/38 Carcano Cavalry Carbine
Posted in Firearms with tags Carcano, Italy (Fascist), Rifles, WW2 on March 14, 2020 by The DudeJust when I thought I was done with Carcano’s I get a call from Sean, who has scavenged up this interesting little variant, the M91/38 Cavalry Carbine (Moschetto Modello Cavalleria).
Chambered in 6.5×52, and equipped with a permanently affixed long spike bayonet, it was intended for the use of horse cavalry units and fitted into a leather saddle scabbard.
Interestingly the setup with the bayonet is almost identical to the Japanese Type 44 Cavalry carbine. I expect that designers kept an eye on what each other were producing and stole ideas that appealed to them. The gun is manufactured by Terni. Interesting that the barrel is proofed 36-XIV, meaning it was manufactured in 1936, the 14th year of Mussolini’s rule.
Japanese Type 4 Ceramic Grenade
Posted in Grenades with tags Empire of Japan, Grenades, WW2 on March 2, 2020 by The Dude
The late war and rather desperate innovation of the Type 4 hand grenade. These grenades were invented in late 1944 in response to Japan’s collapsing raw material supplies. The US submarine and air blockade had run the Japs out of steel at this point. The weapon is pretty simple, a ceramic or porcelain vase shape, with a crimped 5 second detonator made from a blasting cap. These were handed out to all the home defence organizations as well as to troops out in the inner chain of islands like Iwo Jima and Saipan. The style varies a lot because it was left to the individual pottery to decide.
An M91/28 Carcano Reissued by the Jerries
Posted in Firearms with tags Germany (Third Reich), Italy (Fascist), WW2 on February 23, 2020 by The DudeMy friend Andrew bought this rifle only a couple of months ago. I wondered if he was drunk, since he doesn’t collect rifles that aren’t a K98. I knew, if I was patient, I’d end up owning it. And here you go! This Carcano M91/28 (Moschetto Modello Mod. 91/28) in 6.5×52 shows stock markings indicated that it was issued to the Italian Navy. Markings on the stock and receiver, including the dirty bird, plus the blued bolt, indicate it was captured by the Germans, inspected and reissued. This completes my Carcano group as I have a 91/41 Carcano here and a 91/38 here.
Man it’s great having a picker like Andrew :)
A Czech VZ-23 in German use
Posted in Firearms with tags Czechoslovakia, Germany (Third Reich), WW2 on February 23, 2020 by The Dude
Here is an pretty rare rifle, the Czech VZ-23 Mauser, produced by Brno. The rifle was manufactured using a German Karabiner 98AZ base, resulting in a 550mm long barrel. The newly independent Czech arms industry only made these for a short period before moving on to the improved VZ-24. Signs of German reuse in WW2 include a stamping on the receiver under the wood-line and the blued bolt.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Allemagne, Liberation and Engage Voluntaire Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on December 7, 2019 by The Dude
This is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bars are “Allemagne” for all regular forces involved in the German campaign of 1944-1945, the “Liberation” bar for the French Campaign of 1944 and the “Engage Voluntaire” bar to indicate a voluntary enlistment.
A Birchall Killed In Norway
Posted in Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Norway, Operation Archery, RAF, United Kingdom, WW2 on December 7, 2019 by The Dude
This modest little group belonged to John James Burchall-Ward, 997361, 114 Squadron. John was a Sergeant-Observer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was killed in action on the 27th December 1941 when the Blenheim he was helping to crew was shot down into the sea at the island of Vaagso in Norway during Operation Archery. He is buried in the Møllendal Church Cemetery in Bergen.
German WW2 Luger P-08
Posted in Firearms with tags Germany (Third Reich), Heer, Luger, Pistols, WW2 on August 4, 2019 by The DudeThe Luger pistol is a prohibited firearm up here north of the border, due to its barrel length of 100mm. Because I came to Canada so late I was unable to be grandfathered into the pistol license required to own one. As a substitute I own a WW1 & WW2 “cock and click” dewat as well as the long barrelled LP-08 Artillery Luger. But I always wanted the real deal. So I went the long route of sourcing a 105mm barrel from the US and then locating a Luger up here to get re-barrelled and reclassified as restricted.
This is it, a 1937 Mauser made S/42 marked Luger P-08. It came with a spare magazine, a takedown tool marked WaA63 (correct for Mauser) and a period holster from 1937.
British SMLE Enfield No1 Mk3*
Posted in Firearms with tags Australia, Enfield, Pacific Campaign, Rifles, United Kingdom, WW2 on July 20, 2019 by The Dude
I have always had a wee hard-on for the Enfield No1 Mk3. It was the first rifle I owned as a child and I have always wanted to own one again. A friend of mine is a nut for Enfields and owns far too many. I asked him to sell me a no-issues wartime rifle to go with the No4 & No5 I already had. He came up with this one. Battle issued, made in 1941/42 by Lithgow in Australia. Sighted for high velocity MkVII ammun ition, this rifle went into New Guinea with the Australian Forces. It was returned to Lithgow in June 1945.
Arisaka Rear & Side Ammunition Pouches
Posted in Ammo & Magazine Pouches with tags Ammunition, Arisaka, Empire of Japan, WW2 on July 20, 2019 by The DudeA fair while back I found a single front ammunition pouch for the Arisaka battle rifle. The standard issue was two front pouches and one rear one. The front pouches held 30 rounds and the rear one 60, for a full load of 120 rounds.
The rear pouch also houses a small oil bottle. Both of these came stinking of mothballs. I sat them outside for a couple of months and then soaked them in vinegar & water overnight. They still stink but not so much as to drive me out of my own house.
Australian Pattern 1907 Enfield Bayonet
Posted in Bayonets with tags Australia, Bayonets, Enfield, United Kingdom, WW2 on July 20, 2019 by The DudeTwo things are driving me nuts lately. One, the lack of German guns falling into my lap. Two, my need to complete sets. I had a No4 Mk 1* Enfield and a No5 Mk 1. So since no Jerry guns were showing up I decided to get a No1 Mk3 SMLE Enfield. I like to put bayonet with rifle so here is a Lithgow made P1907 Enfield bayonet. MA stamped for Lithgow Small Arms Factory. The broad arrow for military acceptance. An X for a hardness test mark and a couple of inspector stamps.
Walther SLD Flaregun Selector Switch
Posted in Flares and Flareguns with tags Flareguns, Germany (Third Reich), Kriegsmarine, UBoat, Walther, WW2 on July 20, 2019 by The DudeA few posts ago I found a Walther SLD U-Boat flare gun in an auction out east. No-one much bid on it as it was missing the selector switch for the L-R barrel select. Of course I am an idiot who didn’t understand just how unobtainium these things are. Needless to say it’s take me six months and the kindness of Martin from Austria to supply this missing bit.
Italian Beretta Model 38A
Posted in Firearms with tags Beretta, Italy (Fascist), SMG's, Submachineguns, WW2 on March 16, 2019 by The DudeThis is my Beretta MAB-38A SMG, in 9mm Luger. Much like the MP34ö in production quality, this was a well regarded weapon, used by many foreign armies including the Germans and manufactured into the 50’s. This particular example is pre-war and comes with the long 40 round magazine. Funny story was that I bought the magazine from a bloke in Bulgaria, but represented as an MP38 magazine. When it arrived it was plainly not that but I didn’t send it back as I thought it likely that one day I’d have the MAB-38. Here it is! It’s an interesting weapon, notably having two triggers. The forward one fires in semi-auto, while the rear one is full automatic.
Japanese Type 2 Paratrooper Rifle
Posted in Firearms with tags Arisaka, Empire of Japan, Paratroops, Rifles, WW2 on March 16, 2019 by The DudeThis is a pretty great find for me. This rifle came from the US and is a Type 2 TERA (Teishin Rakkasan Shyoujyu) rifle. This rifle was based on the Type 99 infantry rifle but designed to be able to be broken down into two parts for stowing prior to the Paratrooper drop. These rifles are almost never found with an unground Chrysanthemum and often the front and rear sections are mismatched. In this case the rifle is all matching. Interesting because it retains the anti-aircraft sights of the Type 99.
Japanese Type 44 Cavalry Carbine
Posted in Firearms with tags Arisaka, Empire of Japan, Rifles, WW2 on March 16, 2019 by The DudeThis rifle is one of 91,000 manufactured by the Japanese between 1911 and 1942. These were intended to be issued to cavalry troops so they could have a less cumbersome primary weapon with an integral bayonet. Prior to this the cavalry was forced to carry a separate Type 38, a Type 30 bayonet and a Type 32 saber. This rifle has two individual holes in the butt stock compartment to hold the two parts of the cleaning rod, indicating that this is a “first type” variation. Nagoya Arsenal marked, the mum has been ground upon surrender. This rifle was quite often found with Railway or other transportation troops.
Mauser 1940 MP-38 Machine pistol
Posted in Firearms with tags Germany (Third Reich), Heer, Mauser, MP38, MP40, WW2 on November 13, 2018 by The Dude
Patience is what you need in this hobby. And after ten years of looking, my patience is rewarded with an MP-38 Machinenpistole. Just about as nice as can be given that I am in Canada, this is an all matching Erfurter Maschinenfabrik B. Geipel GmbH (ERMA) made example dating from 1940. An old dewat, it is what we call “cock and click” in that the action can be cocked and released with a pull on the trigger. Very hard to find compared to the MP-40 that I have here. All I need to find for this now is a better sling and a slab sided early magazine as the one in it is the later MP38u40 type.
New Zealand 1905 Pattern Mounted Rifles Bandolier
Posted in Ammo & Magazine Pouches with tags Ammunition, New Zealand, WW1, WW2 on November 10, 2018 by The Dude
This item, produced in 1942, is the 1905 pattern 50 round ammunition bandolier, issued to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles regiments. Unique to New Zealand, it was intended to provide additional ammunition in case of extended reconnaissance patrols and was popular because of the ability to sling these over the necks of the horses.
NZMR hero 13/129 Corporal Sinclair Chapman Reid – North Auckland Mounted Rifles. Wearing the lightweight desert uniform. First known rank corporal rose to Lieutenant by wars end. During WWII held the rank of Major. Recipient of the Military Cross. Sinclair Reid had the distinction of being a combatant at both the attack on Chunuk Bair on the 8th August 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign and the attack at Ayun Kara on the 14th November 1917 in Turkish Palestine. These actions were the most deadly engagements experienced by the NZMR during WWI.
MP38 u 40 Magazine
Posted in Magazines with tags Germany (Third Reich), Heer, Magazines, MP38, MP40, WW2 on November 10, 2018 by The DudeRecently I finally found an MP38 after a decade of searching. Only bit missing was the magazine. I will look for the early flat sided one but in the meantime I’ll stick this unmarked 38u40 in it.
Walther SLD Kriegsmarine Flare Pistol
Posted in Flares and Flareguns with tags Flareguns, Germany (Third Reich), Kriegsmarine, UBoat, WW2 on November 10, 2018 by The DudeThese pistols were produced for seagoing vessels in the German Kriegsmarine, where the lack of a steady platform meant that the additional handhold needed to be provided. Early versions were manufactured in stainless steel, later ones in anodized aluminium. This example has the eeu code for the manufacturer Lieferungsgemeinschaft Westthüringer Werkzeug u. Metallwarenfabriken GmbH in Wek Sömmerda, Thuringia. With a production run just over 4000, and many of these ending up on the Atlantic floor, they are super rare. This example is missing its selector switch, which I am working on getting 3d printed.
Japanese Type-30 Bayonet
Posted in Bayonets with tags Bayonets, Empire of Japan, Type 30, WW2 on November 10, 2018 by The Dude
This bayonet came with a Type 99 rifle I recently imported from Texas. The seller said that his father had brought it home from WW2, so it’s been with the rifle for 70 odd years. Stamped with the Kokura Arsenal mark, this is the early pattern with the curved quillon. I have other examples here, here and here. It appears I have too many Arisaka bayonets.
German Hi Power Pistole 640(b)
Posted in Firearms with tags Belgium, Fallschirmjäger, Germany (Third Reich), Handguns, P-35, Pistole 640(b), Waffen SS, WW2 on October 17, 2018 by The DudeAfter the fall of Belgium in 1940, the FN factory was taken over by the Germans and this pistol, the Browning Hi Power P-35, was produced under occupation. This example is WaA marked 140 as is one of the magazines. That magazine also has the serif U mark. This pistol takes 9mm Parabellum ammunition like the Luger and Walther P-38.
German ZF4 Scope and Mount
Posted in Optics with tags G43, Germany (Third Reich), Heer, Optics, Walther, WW2 on September 30, 2018 by The DudeJust brilliant. I recently bought another G43 from a friend and it had come to him with this scope mount and scope on it. At the time he didn’t want to part with it but in the meantime, something else has caught his eye and I get to be the new lucky owner.
The scope is marked for ddx, Voigtländer & Sohn AG, Optisches Gerät of Braunschweig. The Zielfernrohre ZF4 has the green triangle meaning it is greased for a hot climate. The mount itself was manufactured by Walther and is stamped with their WaA359 mark.
