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Very nice spange and case !! First case of this kind I have seen. Thanks for posting it ! Kjell

Here is the document.

PK Thanks for your opinion on the subject, and for clearing up the copyright issue. Any chance you could post some scans of the papers? Kjell

A small group which supposedly to have belonged to the same person. Unfortunately the rest are missing. Kjell

The machine gun seems to be a Maxime 1905. Kjell

I know many collectors regards these crosses as spoilt goods. Personally I regard them as an equal part of the history as the unspoilt ones. There are a double personal history behind them, first being awarded for a merit and then denazified by the owner for a purpose. Wear, display or.....? Remember this was done before 1957. They are often no beauty's, like my 2. class where the owner have been quit rough, but I have seen it worse. The 1. class (128 mm) looks nicer. The swastika have been removed professionally and repainted. Another issue about the nicer pieces are; that they could actually have been awarded as denazified. Awards took place well after the war ended. For those who have the Deutches Ordensmuseums volum 3,"Das Eiserne Kreuz 1813-1945 ", have a look at page 210. It showes an award document for an Iron Cross 1. class, awarded 30 Juli 1945, in Tromso and signed by Jodl. It was given for exceptionally bravery during mine clearing. Kjell

Hi Mike That's OK, have also been busy. I agree whit you, the rifle is quit interesting and also regarded as scarce. I will try to find out more about where this could have been issued, if it ever was. The "Stomperud Krag" were also produced in 7,92 . This might indicate the Germans had more plans for it but to let it be issued to the Norwegian NS or second line troops. Rifles similar to this was put together and sold to the public between 1946-51, but none of these were NC marked. Regards, Kjell

The big problem whit these things are; if you don?t have one known authentic piece to compare whit, the next best thing you can do is to study pictures. If it?s 100 % identical to the pictures you can find in the best books available, your conclusion is, this must be an authentic piece. I hope this one is!! Kjell

wig4 Thanks! I got som other pictures to compare whit and was thinking it must be a Deschler. Regards, Kjell

Thanks Biro ! Kjell

Some new information on the Krag. Steyr produced 20 000 rifles in 1896-97 and some in 1898. Yours is one of these. The crown is the Steyr factory mark. The letter underneath it (looks a bit like two letter on top of each other ??) P, for Paaske, the Norwegian chief inspector at Kongsberg Factory of Arms in this period. All rifles were controlled, probably in Austria, before they were accepted. Then in 1944, the Germans started to modify some rifles. This variation is nicknamed "Stomperud Krag". Stomperud is a family name, but I also think it could be a nickname for something short. Whatever, the Germans shortened the long rifles down 15 cm and moved the front band and also the bayonet lug. The rifles got restamped, 1944 for the year they were rebuilt and received the "Waffenamt" stamp. They also got new numbers, ranging between NC 673 and NC 1095. I have not found out what the NC means but they all got this marking but on different places on the receiver. from the picture it also looks like they were fitted whit a Mauser Kar 98 front sight protector.The number of converted rifles is unknown, but are probably the difference between the new serial numbers. Some sources have a higher number, but even so this is not the most common Krag. (Still looking for a stock for you Mike, which now have to be shortened down.) Kjell

6. G 33-40 produced at the BRNO factory.

5. Re chambered in 30-06 and used in Norway. This one by the Coastal Artillery. All Army and Air force Mauser's were re chambered in 30-06. The Navy Used them in 7,92 x 57 IS . The Police used G 33-40, also in the original calibre.

4.This one used to belong to a local resistance fighter.

3.

2.

1. Originally produced for the Portuguese Army but never delivered. Put into German service and thoroughly stamped. I have never seen so many eagles and swastikas stamped stamped on a Mauser before. Even the smallest screw got one. Also my first Army rifle which I got when I was 17-18, and probably the rifle I have shot the most. Note the difference on ears for the front sight.

Different Kar 98 K and a G 33-40

Kar 98 A

Gew 98

Gew 88

IMPERIAL 1. The German 1888 Commission Rifle / Gew 88. Not a true Mauser, but a mix of Mauser and Steyr. This was the first rifle chambered for the 8x57 I/ 7,92 x 57 I / 8 mm Mauser. This one is a 1888/05/14 made in 1890. Re chambered for the S bullet and converted to accept normal stripper clip instead of the normal feeder clip. 2. Gew 98 made in 1917 also S bullet. 3. Kar 98 K made in 1918 also S bullet.