Peened screws on Mint 1917 rifle.

[Surpmil]

Staking was a common British practice and probably widespread in the British Commonwealth as a result.

In North America we would call staking "center-punching".

Peening in the context of fastenings would refer to the use of a hammer to "mushroom" the end of a bolt or screw or pin etc.; the word has other usages of course.

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[Promo]

Staking was a common British practice and probably widespread in the British Commonwealth as a result.

Now I understand why there is no German word for it. On German rifles they used securing screws or pins. So they didn't need a word for it (fun fact: the Czech did this on the G.33/40 rifle. I wonder if there is a Czech word for this?).

[RC20]

In North America we would call staking "center-punching".

No, center punching is putting a dimple in a specific place for drilling.

[Surpmil]

No, center punching is putting a dimple in a specific place for drilling.

So you would take issue with the use of the word "center" as the punch is not marking a center for drilling?

You could so, but then you are left only with "punching" which around here at least refers to punching holes in some material.

So the use of "center" in "center-punching" is to indicate that one is using a "center-punch" (one with a sharp-pointed conical tip) to make an indentation similar to that done when laying out for drilling or machining/cutting.

Now I understand why there is no German word for it. On German rifles they used securing screws or pins. So they didn't need a word for it (fun fact: the Czech did this on the G.33/40 rifle. I wonder if there is a Czech word for this?).

We all admire good workmanship, or should do, however it can be taken a bit too far at times, especially when there is a war on!

I can't remember where now, but I read some reference to Czech gunsmiths and machinists working under German occupation. The writer remarked that even though they hated that control and all it represented, they simply could not help doing masterful work.