There are many posts on this forum and others about the ethics and process of repairing 'duffle cuts' on war souvenir rifles. I'm interested to know what the 'primary evidence' for the duffle cut habit is, and whether it occurred in both world wars or just in WWII?

I've heard many unsubstantiated stories of GI's choosing rifles from stockpiles of captured weapons as it's often asserted that this is one of the reasons why bolts are so often mis-matched to mauser rifles.

Does this mean that the collection of souvenir arms was officially tolerated by the US in either war? Do cut Gewehr 98's orginate from WWI or II capture? Is the duffle cut unique to US forces?

Steyr's are also seen with duffle cuts. How might US forcees have come into contact with Austro-Hungarianicon weapons?

thoughts and facts?
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