Non German weapons used by Germans in WWII

[rayg]

The Germans used weapons captured from the various countries they conquered to supplement their own weapons supply.
I just obtained a prewar French Mas 36 and stamped in small letters just under the serial number in the stock is a small stamp, LK5.
The theory is that this is either a German capture & check mark or possibly a German unit assignment stamp. However there are apparently no German documents known so far to prove this theory.
A number of rifles from various countries which the germans fought or took over have been observed having a similar stamp there, either having a LK5 stamp, or other numbers after the LK. The French ones know with that stamp, all have the LK5. There is even a British Enfield having this stamp.

In an attempt to find more guns having this stamp to help add weight to the theory, could folks with prewar or WWII period guns other then German made ones, look to see if that stamp is present on their gun. The stamp is quite small and could be missed easy. It is usually located on the butt stock near the butt plate. Thanks for any help. Ray

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[conductor]

I haven't seen any British (or other allied countries') weapons with a stamp like this. But I have seen a film clip of German Volksturm units marching off to war carrying No.4 Enfields.

[DaveHH]

on the internet. These show plenty of Germans with Tokarev STV 40s, PPSH submachine guns and Soviet DP 27s . Usually they are stacked up near a trench ready for use if something pops over the horizon (like a squad of Russians on a T34). The 98K is a fine weapon, but after 5 shots, you will have a problem.

[Ramboueille]

on the internet. These show plenty of Germans with Tokarev STV 40s, PPSH submachine guns and Soviet DP 27s . Usually they are stacked up near a trench ready for use if something pops over the horizon (like a squad of Russians on a T34). The 98K is a fine weapon, but after 5 shots, you will have a problem.

Or a German soldier carrying a Thompson.

[Jim K]

A good friend, now unfortunately gone, fought in the Polish underground. At one point a German motorcycle courier had a losing encounter with piano wire* and they found that he was carrying a Thompson SMG with a couple of stick magazines. The only ammo he had was in the magazines. The Polish guys fired them just to see what the gun was like, then threw the gun in a lake, since it was unlikely any more ammo would come along. He much preferred the PPSh SMG, which he considered the best SMG that he knew about.

*Tip: String the piano wire at an angle so it won't reflect in the headlight.

Jim

[JB White]

Here I always thought the wire was strung on an angle so the victim would slice along the wire before the wire had a chance to possibly break.
Light reflection makes good sense.

[Critch]

I know I've seen a short film clip and some stills made from it of a Waffen SS soldier running along a ditch with an M1 Carbine. I've read that they were quite popular with the Germans.

[Al Diehl]

If you watch the "History" channel long enough you will see (because the mix and re-mix old B&W footage to kida', sorta', a little bit, match the narration) a german soldier who is kind of working his way down a ditch (On D-Day???) in possession of a No4 Mk1T sniper rifle. Really cool.

[Terry N.]

I have seen photos of a WWII German Stalaag where one of the guards was carrying a No 1 Mk 3 SMLE. Another guard was carrying either a P14 or M1917 Enfield.

[edlmann]

I have seen photos of a WWII German Stalaag where one of the guards was carrying a No 1 Mk 3 SMLE. Another guard was carrying either a P14 or M1917 Enfield.

Sgt. Schultz carried a Krag!