german marked SMLE (real or fake?)

[enfield303t]

The "chance" that this gun was faked with stamps available on e-bay for a couple of years are "slim" and "fat". I talked to superbee about this Enfield and it was in the private collection of a honest/knowledgeable collector since 1991. I still would bet "dollars to donuts" that it is legit and would love to own it.

[TwoHawks]

Hello Peter,

Unless I am severely mistaken, the BREN LMG is a British version of a Czech LMG that was issued to German units during WWII.

[Badger]

Hi folks…

The beauty of the Internet is the ability to interact with a whole wide range of collectors of differing genres of old milsurps and their specific experience. Having said that, while researching and gathering information, controversial items often create threads with a wide range of differing intellectual opinions.

On our forums, we encourage everyone everyone to express their own thoughts and opinions, however, we request that courtesy and politeness in doing so should be paramount in all poster's minds when doing so.

Please behave and interact with each other as if we were all sitting around a live collector's meeting in a real life face-to-face situation and therefore, governing your emotions and behavior accordingly.

In simple terms, please do not make it personal and force us to close the thread and shut down an otherwise very interesting discussion, which could provide benefit to all of the other members participating.

Thanks to everyone for maintaining civility and politeness in all discussions on our site.

Regards,
Doug (Badger)

[bearhunter]

Badger, I hope you will let me paste this just one time.





Fremden Gerät: Captured Small Arms



During the war, the German army captured huge amounts of weapons from their enemies. Most types were tested by the "Heereswaffenamt". After testing, each type was given a number, followed by the first letter of the country of origin.



This list, compiled by Erik Ettrup, shows the status of most captured weapons up to 1943 (Note that not all weapons entered service in the Wehrmacht).



Belgium

Gewehr 220(b) Ex "Fusil Mauser FN Modele 1924" - Calibre 7mm

Gewehr 261(b) Ex "Fusil 1889" - Calibre 7,65mm

Gewehr 262(b) Ex "Fusil 35" - Calibre 7,65mm

Gewehr 263(b) Ex "Fusil 36"- Calibre 7,65mm

Zielfernrohrgewehr 264(b) Ex "Fusil 35" (Sniper version) - Calibre 7,65mm

Gewehr 284(b) Ex " ? " (This weapon was made only for export. It was never used in the Belgian army) - Calibre 7,9mm

Karabiner 420(b) Ex "Carabine Mauser FN Modele 1924" (This weapon was made only for export. It was never used in the Belgian army) - Calibre 7mm

Karabiner 451(b) Ex "Carabine 1889" - Calibre 7,65mm

Karabiner 452(b) Ex "Carabine Mauser 98" - Calibre 7,65mm

Karabiner 453(b) Ex "Carabine 1916" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 620(b) Ex "Pistolet 1900" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 621(b) Ex "Pistolet 1910" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 622(b) Ex "Pistolet Colt" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 626(b) Ex "Pistolet Browning" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 640(b) Ex "Pistolet Browning G.P" - Calibre 9mm

Pistole 641(b) Ex "Pistolet Browning" (Police model) - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 740(b) Ex "Mitralette 34 Schmeisser-Byard" - Calibre 9mm



Denmark

Gewehr 311(d) Ex "Gevær M1889" - Calibre 8mm

Scharfschütsen-Gewehr 312(d) Ex "Finskydningsgevær M28" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 506(d) Ex "Karabin M89" - Calibre 8mm

Pistole 626 (d) Ex "Browning" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 644(d) Ex "Bergmann M1910/21" - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 741(d) Ex "Bergmann 34-1" - Calibre 9mm



France

Gewehr 241(f) Ex "Fusil 07/15 M 34" - Calibre 7,5mm

Gewehr 242(f) Ex "Fusil 1936" - Calibre 7,5mm

Gewehr 301(f) Ex "Fusil 86/93" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 302(f) Ex "Fusil 07/15" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 303(f) Ex "Fusil 1886 R35" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 304(f) Ex "Fusil 1916" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 305(f) Ex "Fusil Mle 1907" - Calibre 8mm

Selbstlade-Gewehr 310(f) Ex "Fusil Automatique 1918" (Semi-automatic) - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 361(f) Ex "Fusil Gras 1874" - Calibre 11mm

Karabiner 551(f) Ex "Mousqueton 1890" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 552(f) Ex "Mousqueton 1892" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 553(f) Ex "Mousqueton 1916" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 561(f) Ex "Mousqueton Gras 1874" - Calibre 11mm

Pistole 623(f) Ex "Pistolet automatique type Star" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 624(f) Ex "Pistolet automatique type Ruby" - Calibre 7,65mm

Pistole 625(f) Ex "Pistolet automatique 1935A" - Calibre 7,65mm

Revolver 634(f) Ex "Revolver Eisbar" - Calibre 8mm

Revolver 635(f) Ex "Revolver" - Calibre 8mm

Revolver 636(f) Ex "Revolver" - Calibre 8mm

Revolver 637(f) Ex "Revolver 1892" - Calibre 8mm

Pistole 642(f) Ex "Pistolet automatique type Astra Mod 1924" - Calibre 9mm

Pistole 647(f) Ex "Pistolet automatique type Colt" - Calibre 38

Revolver 654(f) Ex "Revolver 1873 et 1874" - Calibre 11mm

Maschinenpistole 721(f) Ex "Pistolet mitralleur type E.T.V.s" - Calibre 7,65mm

Maschinenpistole 722(f) Ex "Pistolet mitralleur type SE-MAS 1935F" - Calibre 7,65mm

Maschinenpistole 740(f) Ex "Pistolet mitralleur type Vollmer-Erma" - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 761(f) Ex "Pistolet mitralleur type Thompson 21" - Calibre 45



Greece

Gewehr 215(g) Ex "Mannlicher-Schönauer 03.14" - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 285(g) Ex " Mauser M1930" - Calibre 7,92mm

Gewehr 301(g) Ex "Lebel Mle 1886/93" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 302(g) Ex "Lebel Mle 1907/15" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 305(g) Ex "Lebel Mle 1907" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 306(g) Ex "Mannlicher 95" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 306(g) Ex "Gras 74" - Calibre 11mm

Karabiner 417(g) Ex "Mannlicher-Schönauer M1903" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 417/2(g) Ex "Mannlicher-Schönauer M1903/14" (for use with bayonet) - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 494(g) Ex "Mannlicher Mod 95/24" - Calibre 7,92mm

Karabiner 502(g) Ex "Lebel 92" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 505(g) Ex "Mannlicher M95" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 561(g) Ex "Gras Mle 1874" - Calibre 11mm

Revolver 612(g) Ex "Nagant 95" - Calibre 7,62mm

Revolver 613(g) Ex "Nagant 1912" - Calibre 7,62mm

Revolver 648(g) Ex "Colt" - Calibre 38

Revolver 649(g) Ex "Smith & Wesson" - Calibre 38



Holland

Kleinkalibergewehr 201(h) Ex "Geweer tot kamerschietoefeningen" (small calibre rifle) - Calibre 5,5mm

Gewehr 211(h) Ex " Geweer M95" - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 212(h) Ex "Geweer M95" (With "winchester type loading") - Calibre 6,5mm

Kleinkaliberkarabiner 401(h) Ex "Karabijn tot kamerschietoefeningen" (Small calibre carabine) - Calibre 5,5mm

Karabiner 411(h) Ex "Karabijn No1" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 412(h) Ex "Karabijn No1 O.M" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 413(h) Ex "Karabijn No3 en 3 O.M" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 414(h) Ex "Karabijn 1 en 1 O.M" - Calibre 6,5mm

Pistole 626(h) Ex "Pistool M25 No1" - Calibre 7,65mm

pistole 641(h) Ex "Pistoole M25 No2" - Calibre 9mm

Revolver 643(h) Ex "Revolver M1912" - Calibre 9,1mm

Panzerabwehrbüsche 785(h) Ex "Geweer tp-S 18-1100" (Anti tank rifle) - Calibre 20mm



Italy

Gewehr 209(i) Ex "Fucile mod 38" - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 210(i) Ex "Fucile Mod 41" - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 214(i) Ex "Fucile Mod 91" - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 231(i) Ex "Fucile Mod 38 7,35cal" - Calibre 7,35mm

Gewehr 306(i) Ex " Fucile Mannlicher 95" - Calibre 8mm

Ausbildungs-karabiner 407(i) Ex "Moschetto-Balilla" (training carabine) - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 408(i) Ex "Moschetto Mod 38 Cal 6,5" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 409(i) Ex "Moschetto Mod 91" (With foldable bayonet) - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 410(i) Ex "Moschetto Mod 91 TS" (Without foldable bayonet) - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 416(i) Ex "Moschetto Mod 91/24" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 430(i) Ex "Moschetto Mod 38 Cal 7,35" - Calibre 7,35mm

Karabiner 505(i) Ex "Moschetto Mannlicher 95" - Calibre 8mm

Pistole 670(i) Ex "Pistola Mod 1910" - Calibre 9mm

Pistole 671(i) Ex "Pistola Mod 34" - Calibre 9mm

Revolver 680(i) Ex "M89" - Calibre 10,35mm

Maschinenpistole 739(i) Ex "Moschetto automatico Beretta 38A" - Calibre 9mm

Panzerabwehrbüsche 770(i) Ex "Fucile anitearro 7,9mm" (Anti-tank rifle) (Originally Polish. Recaptured from Italy) - Calibre 7,92mm

Panzerabwehrbüsche 785(i) Ex "Fucile anitearro 20mm S" (Anti-tank rifle) (Ex German Rheinmetall) - Calibre 20mm



Norway

Gewehr 211(n) Ex " Krag-Jørgensen M/1891" - Calibre 6,5mm

Zielfernrohr-gewehr 212(n) Ex " Krag-Jørgensen M/1891 med mål teleskop" (Sniper version) - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 213(n) Ex "Krag-Jørgensen M/1930" - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 351(n) Ex "Jarrmann M/1887" - Calibre 10,15mm

Karabiner 411(n) Ex "Krag-Jørgensen Kavalerikarabin M/1881" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 412(n) Ex "Krag-Jørgensen Kavalerikarabin M/1895" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 413(n) Ex "Krag-Jørgensen Ingeniørkarabin M/1904" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 414(n) Ex "Krag-Jørgensen Artillerikarabin M/1907" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 415(n) Ex "Krag-Jørgensen Karabin M/1912" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 504(n) Ex "Lund Karabin" - Calibre 8mm

Revolver 610(n) Ex "Nagant M/93" - Calibre 7,5mm

Pistole 657(n) Ex "Automatisk pistol M/1914" - Calibre 45



Poland

Gewehr 298(p) Ex "Poln M29" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 299(p) Ex "Poln 98" - Calibre 7,9mm

Karabiner 493(p) Ex "Karabinek 1898" - Calibre 7,9mm

Karabiner 497(p) Ex "Karabinek 91/98/25" (Mossin-Nagant91) - Calibre 7,9mm

Revolver 612(p) Ex "Rewolwer Nagan" - Calibre 7,62mm

Pistole 645(p) Ex "Pistolet Vis Vz-35" - Calibre 9mm

Panzerabwehrbüsche 770(p) Ex "Karabin 35" (Anti-tank rifle) - Calibre 7,8mm



Soviet Union

Kleinkalibergewehr 205(r) Ex "TOS No8" (Small calibre rifle) - Calibre 5,6mm

Kleinkalibergewehr 206(r) Ex "TOS No9" (Small calibre rifle) - Calibre 5,6mm

Gewehr 252(r) Ex "Wintowka obr 1891" - Calibre 7,62mm

Gewehr 253(r) Ex "Dragoner 91" - Calibre 7,62mm

Gewehr 254(r) Ex "Wintowka obr 1891/1930" - Calibre 7,62mm

Gewehr 255(r) Ex" Wintowka obr 1895" (Winchester rifle) - Calibre 7,62mm

Zielfernrohr-Gewehr 256(r) Ex "91/30" (Sniper version of 254(r) - Calibre 7,62mm

Selbstladegewehr 257(r) Ex "36" (Semi-automatic rifle) - Calibre 7,62mm

Selbstladegewehr 258(r) Ex "38" (Semi-automatic rifle) - Calibre 7,62mm

Selbstladegewehr 259(r) Ex "40" (Semi-automatic rifle) - Calibre 7,62mm

Selbstladegewehr 259/2(r) Ex "40" (Semi-automatic rifle, short version) - Calibre 7,62mm

Selbstlade-Zielfernrohrgewehr 260(r) Ex "40Zf" (Semi-automatic sniper rifle) - Calibre 7,62mm

Gewehr 280(r) Ex "Ross M10" - Calibre 7,7mm

Gewehr 282(r) Ex "Ross-Enfield 14" - Calibre 7,7mm

Gewehr 291(r) Ex "24L" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 291(r) Ex "24L" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 298(r) Ex M29(p) (Ex captured Polish weapon) - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 299(r) Ex 98(p) (German K98 captured by Russia in Poland) - Calibre 7,92mm

Karabiner 453(r) Ex "Karabin obr 1910" - Calibre 7,62mm

Karabiner 454(r) Ex "Karabin obr 1924/1927" - Calibre 7,62mm

Karabiner 493(r) Ex "Karabin Obr 1898(p)" (Ex captured Polish rifle) - Calibre 7,9mm

Revolver 612(r) Ex "Revoljver obr Nagant 1895" - Calibre 7,62mm

Pistole 615(r) Ex " Tokarev 1930" - Calibre 7,62mm

Maschinenpistole 715(r) Ex "PPD-40" - Calibre 7,62mm

Maschinenpistole 716(r) Ex "PPD-34/38" - Calibre 7,62mm

Maschinenpistole 717(r) Ex "PPSh-41" - Calibre 7,62mm

Maschinenpistole 718(r) Ex "M42" - Calibre 7,62mm

Maschinenpistole 760(r) Ex "Thompson 28" - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 760/2(r) Ex "Thompson 28" (Without forn hand-grip) - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 761(r) Ex "Thompson 21" - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 762(r) Ex "Reising" - Calibre 45

Panzerabwehrbüsche 755(r)(Einzellader) Ex "?" (Anti-tank rifle) - Calibre 12,7mm

Panzerabwehrbüsche 776(r)(Mehrlader) Ex "?" (Anti-tank rifle) - Calibre 12,7mm

Panzerabwehrbüsche 783(r) Ex "PTRD Degtjarew M41" (Anti-tank rifle) - Calibre 14,5mm

Selbstlade-Panzerabwehrbüsche 784(r) Ex "PTRS Simonow M41" (Semi-automatic Anti-tank rifle) - Calibre 14,5mm



United Kingdom

Gewehr 248(e) Ex "Rifle Winchester 30/30" - Calibre .300

Gewehr 249(e) Ex "Rifle Springfield" - Calibre .300

Gewehr 250(e) Ex "Enfield Mod.1917" - Calibre .300

Gewehr 280(e) Ex "Ross .303" - Calibre .303

Gewehr 281(e) Ex "No1 MK III" - Calibre .303

Gewehr 281/2 mit Gewehrgranatgerät(e) Ex "No1 MK III" (With rifle-grenade launcher)

Gewehr 282(e) Ex "No3 MK I" - Calibre .303

Gewehr 282/3(e) Ex "No3 MK I F" (W/diopter) - Calibre .303

Gewehr 283(e) Ex "No4 MK I" - Calibre .303

Zielfernrohr-Gewehr 283/2(e) "Ex No4 MK I" (Sniper version) - Calibre .303

Revolver 646(e) Ex "No2 MK I Webley" - Calibre 38

Revolver 655(e) Ex "No1 MK VI Webley" - Calibre .455

Maschinenpistole 748(e) Ex "Sten MK I" - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 749(e) Ex "Sten MK II" - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 750(e) Ex "Sten MK III" - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 751(e) Ex "Sten" (W/ silencer) - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 752(e) Ex "Owen" (Australian?) - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 760(e) Ex "Thompson 28" - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 760/2(e) Ex "Thompson 28" (Without front hand-grip) - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 761(e) Ex "Thompson 21" - Calibre 45

Panzerabwehrbüchse 782(e) Ex "R.B MK I" (Anti-tank rifle) - Calibre 13,9mm

Panzerabwehrwaffe 789(e) Ex "Projector Infantry Anti-tank MK I"



USA

Gewehr 249(a) Ex "Springfield Cal.30 Mod 1903" - Calibre 30

Gewehr 250(a) Ex " Ross Cal.30 Mod 1917" - Calibre 30

Selbstladegewehr 251(a) Ex "M1 Garand" (Semi-automatic rifle) - Calibre 30

Selbstladegewehr 455(a) Ex " U.S Carabin M1" - Calibre 30

Pistole 660(a) Ex " Colt Mod 1911" - Calibre 45

Revolver 661(a) Ex " Colt Mod 1917" - Calibre 45

Revolver 662(a) Ex "Smith & Wesson Mod 1917" - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 760(a) Ex "Thompson 28" - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 760/2(a) Ex "Thompson 28" (Without front hand-grip) - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 761(a) Ex "Thompson 21" - Calibre 45

Maschinenpistole 762(a) Ex "Riesing" - Calibre 45



Yugoslavia

Gewehr 214(j) Ex "Puska M91i" - Calibre 6,5mm

Gewehr 221(j) Ex "Puska M10c" - Calibre 7mm

Gewehr 222(j) Ex "Puska M99" - Calibre 7mm

Gewehr 223(j) Ex "Puska M80/7c" - Calibre 7mm

Gewehr 252(j) Ex "Puska M91r" - Calibre 7,62mm

Gewehr 288(j) Ex "Sokol-Puska 7,9mm" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 289(j) Ex "Komitern-Puska 7,9mm" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 290(j) Ex "Puska Brünn Vz24" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 291(j) Ex "Puska M24"(see note below) - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 291/2(j) Ex Puska M24B"(see note below) - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 291/3(j) Ex "Puska M10" (291,291/2 and 291/3 were the same wapon, but different countries of origin made it impossible to switch the parts from each manufacturer) - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 291/4(j) Ex "Puska M99C07" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 292 (j) Ex "Puska M88" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 293(j) Ex "Puska M98" (Same as Geman K98 Mauser) - Calibre 7,92mm

Gewehr 294(j) Ex "Puska M95M 7,9mm" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 295(j) Ex "Puska M9T" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 296(j) Ex "Puska M99T" - Calibre 7,9mm

Gewehr 297(j) Ex "Puska M96T" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 298(j) Ex "Puska M29" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 301(j) Ex "Puska M86" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 302(j) Ex "Puska M7.15F" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 304(j) Ex "Puska M16F" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 306(j) Ex "Puska M95M 8mm" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 307(j) Ex "Puska M93 MR" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 308(j) Ex "Puska M74F" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 309(j) Ex "Puska M91R" - Calibre 8mm

Gewehr 352(j) Ex "Puska M78/80" - Calibre 10,15mm

Gewehr 361(j) Ex "Puska 11mm M71" - Calibre 11mm

Karabiner 416(j) Ex "Karabini M95i" - Calibre 6,5mm

Karabiner 421(j) Ex "Karabini M8C" - Calibre 7mm

Karabiner 491(j) Ex "Karabini M24" (See note below) - Calibre 7,9mm

Karabiner 491/2(j) Ex "Karabini M24B" (See note below) - Calibre 7,9mm

Karabiner 491/3(j) Ex "Karabini M10C" (See note below) - Calibre 7,9mm

Karabiner 491/4(j) Ex "Karabini M99C" (291,291/2 and 291/3 were the same wapon, but different countries of origin made it impossible to switch the parts from each manufacturer) - Calibre 7,9mm

Karabiner 492(j) Ex "Karabini M98" - Calibre 7,92mm

Karabiner 502(j) Ex "Karabini M7/15F" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 503(j) Ex "Karabini M16F" - calibre 8mm

Karabiner 505(j) Ex "Karabini Mannlicher M95M" - Calibre 8mm

Karabiner 561(j) Ex "Karabini Gras M74" - Calibre 11mm

Pistole 641(j) Ex "M10/22 Browning" - Calibre 9mm

Maschinenpistole 760(j) Ex "Thompson 28" - Calibre 45

[villiers]

A few months back, I was in Berlin´s largest gun shop (Frankonia) and a friendly shop assistant told me that he´d been on a tour of the site of the last German fortification at Küstrin on the Oder (Odra) River. In a deserted bunker he had found a pile of old .303 ammunition. He gave me a few rounds and here´s one I took apart. This was where the last ditch defence (that´s how we spell it) of Berlin took place, so it was to be expected that some "odds and sods" of the German equivalent of Fred Karno´s Army were armed with whatever leftovers were on hand. The were marked according to the code in the above mentioned list of "Fremdes Gerät". Enfields were captured in relevant numbers at Dunkirk, Tobruk, elsewhere in North Africa and in Norway. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever why a Wehrmacht marked Enfield should not turn up now and again.

[Alan de Enfield]

So - if the SMLE is not marked 281(e) its definately a fake, but if it is marked 281(e) then it could be the 'real deal'.

[Kev G]

I have not seen the German designation inscribed on any Czech lmg's entered into German service , I think the designation was for reference only ?
The Germans were very thorough in catologing foriegn weapons and issuing manuals in German.




ATB Kevin

[bearhunter]

The only German marks I have ever seen on capture/reissued weapons, were waffenampts and some times a date. Polish Radoms are a good example, as were the M38 Nagants that International out of Montreal and now Century out of St Albans sold off by the thousand. All of the original stamps were intact, with waffenampts added. These rifles were issued to captured Russian prisoners, that agreed to fight for the axis. They didn't have much choice. They could be starved to death or they could be fed, and shot by their own kind. I guess it was just a choice of execution method.
I've owned several rifles with both markings. Some were marked in several places on the rifles, including the stock. Most of these rifles, were bought in the mid seventies to early eighties. Some had been FTR'd and some looked like they just came off the battlefield.

[sprog]

I am not seeing in this discussion an important point raised in the gunboards forum's discussion. That is; "The German Eagle is facing the WRONG way." If this is so surely this would put it in the realms of fakery? Unless it was stamped by a left-handed armourer.

[JBS]

I have no dog in this fight. I do wonder looking at the Large stamp that is backwards, is this stamp actually an embossing punch used to stamp sheet metal items from the back side and produce the correct eagle on the viewing side. Can’t imagine somebody going to all the trouble to fake a stamp to have it be backwards.