I'm watching the 1915 film "On the Firing Line with the Germans" and the German troops are clearly using a lot of mosin nagants and the occasional SMLE in training. How common was the use of captured weapons in the Great War?
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I'm watching the 1915 film "On the Firing Line with the Germans" and the German troops are clearly using a lot of mosin nagants and the occasional SMLE in training. How common was the use of captured weapons in the Great War?
Very common. Entire units on a large scale were equipped with captured weapons. They had the weapons, they had the ammunition. Not much went to waste. Sometimes they used them as issued. Sometimes they modified them a bit, possibly changing the caliber, sometimes modifying them to accept a different bayonet.
Thanks Aragorn243!
I have been told that the new serial number on this Pattern 1903 bayonet could be from Turkey ? (from a capture)
Did the Turks ever change the caliber of some of the captured Long Lees ?Attachment 85674Attachment 85673Attachment 85675
I've seen it suggested that Germany made some of it's own scabbards for the 1907 bayonet, that had been captured, out of steel during WW1. Does anyone have any pictures of these WW1, German made, steel 1907 scabbards or indeed an actual scabbard, please?
Captured weapons were used in WWII also. Germany incorporated many Czech rifles into regular infantry units as they were so similar to the K98. Weapons like the M95 from Austria were turned over to the Bulgarians who were already using the rifles or issued to rear eschelon troops. Even the French Lebels, Dutch Mannlichers and Danish Krags were pressed into service, generally with rear eschelon troops. In researching the Astra 400 the past few days I learned these were captured in numbers from France and used by the Germans who also then bought a contract for more from Spain. I personally own an 1891 Mosin Nagant that was captured by Austria-Hungary in WWI and at some point found it's way into the Bulgarian military
There is a Lee Enfield variation the Turks converted to 8mm Mauser. Part of the conversion involved welding a bar on the side to prevent flex in the action (a scary thought, showing how potentially unsafe these could be).Quote:
Originally Posted by RCS