Mauser svwMB marked rifles
The svwMB rifles produced by Mauser Orbendorf are a hotly contested item- some collectors believe that the code was only used on post-war French production, while some believe that the code is a late war change from svw45. It is impossible not to take sides on this issue- I personally believe this code is of German origin, and examples exist that support this side of the issue. Some contend the "German issue" rifles were produced by the French to hide the rearmament of anti-Communist forces with these rifles- hardly a valid argument, for that to be true, the French would have only marked them this way for the first month. For arguments sake, any svwMB with Nazi firing proof, serial numbered in the b range or early c range, light gray phosphate finish, and serial numbering consistent with the German production, I consider to be German production. Many rifles numbered were not completed by the Germans before capitulation, and semifinished rifles were captured and finished.
The number of matching original svwMB guns is small, and serial ranges are full of French production- actual German issue is quite small. The svwMB was produced up to perhaps the K range, and the serial ranges below contain possible "German" produced rifles
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Serial Range:56XXb-20XXXb
0001c-15XXXc
Approximate number produced: 30,000 (very small percentage are German)
Metal Finish: Blued, Phosphate, or Mix
Stock Finish: Most unstained, rough, Eagle 135 marked
Stock Type: Full Kriegsmodell- no takedown washer, bayonet lug deleted, screwed in bands- some guns reported with standard configuration stocks, i.e. with takedown washer, bayonet mount, and band spring arrangement using subcontracted "*C" or "Wa37" stocks
Wood Type: some solid, most laminated
Triggergaurd: svw marked phosphate, no serial number
Floorplate: Most byf marked, blued or phosphate
Follower: "135 waffenamt" marked, blued or phosphated
Front and Rear Bands: Bands were blued, or will be silver grey-green phosphate finished, no waffenamts or serial, held by screws (no band spring)- a few guns have band springs
Numbered Parts:Full serial number w/suffix on left receiver, last 4 digits with suffix on bolt root, last 4 digits on bolt shroud, last 2 digits on cocking piece, Safety unnumbered
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