Deutch Werke ?

[John303]

Did Deutch Werke produce a shotgun on the 98 Mauser action similar to a Geha?
An Email acquaintance of mine has one with the DW logo in a medallion in the stock. I have never observed one before and suspect it's a medallion switch by some previous owner. --- John

[Axel E]

You have to understand the immediate post-WW1 history of Germany and it's arms industry. After the armistice November 1918 the Königlichen Gewehrfabriken = Royal Small Arms Factories in Amberg, Erfurt, Danzig and Spandau tried to convert to production of civilian sporting arms to save as many jobs as possible. As there were no Kings of Prussia or Bavaria any more the "Königliche" part of the factory names was immediately dropped. You sometimes encounter sporting rifles marked "Gewehrfabrik Danzig", "Gewehrfabrik Amberg", or "Gewehrfabrik Spandau", both on M98 Mauser actions as leftovers from the military production, but also some single-shot .22lr rifles so marked are known. The Gewehrfabrik Erfurt was renamed "Reichswerke Erfurt" in 1919, their Mauser actione d sporters marked RwE on the left receiver wall. Apparently RwE made shotguns on modified M98 actions too, under licence or to order of Gebrüder Rempt,Suhl = REMO.Here is a photo of an early, serial #45 REMO II 16g shotgun made by RwE.

After the Versailles so-called "peace treaty" was signed at gunpoint in 1921, the allied disarmament commissions ordered the government-owned factories to be dismantled. To avoid destruction part of the Reichswerke Erfurt was transferred into private hands and the name changed again to "Deutsche Werke Erfurt AG (= plc)". Until 1924 they managed to escape destruction making Ortgies pocket pistols. Most likely Deutsche Werke also took over remaining stocks of RwE made guns and parts, remarked them and sold them under their own name. In 1924 the allied commissions stopped this activity for good and closed down Deutsche Werke too.
Photos of the gun would be welcome, just to see if it is a REMO or GEHA type. The main difference here is in the magazine arrangement, see "Waidmannsheil Nr. 47, pages 38 to 44.

[John303]

Thank you Axel, I feel confident it is the Geha type (have photos) and not a Remo 98. I happen to have each + a Remo Popular.
The only difference between the Geha and Deutsche Werke is the stock medallion in the same place, same size etc.
--- John

[Axel E]

Have a close look at the magazine design. The stocks, usually a sporterized military one on Gehas and a pure sporter style on Remos is not a certain distinguishing feature, as I have seen a Remo action with an ex-military stock and some Gehas with new-made sporter stock. The Remo, Rempt patent design has a lever work that blocks the follower in the "down" position and is released when the bolt is pulled back, see photo above.
The Geha, Hengelhaupt patent, design has a cartridge stop plate screwed to the underside of the receiver. This blocks the cartridge in the magazine until swung to the side by the retracted bolt.

BTW it is not impossible that Deutsche Werke Erfurt put together Gehas for the Hengelhaupts too. At least Rw.E. and DW had the M98 action parts left over from WW1 military production.

[John303]

Axel I have both types of actions, the Remo in a sporter stock side panels and all. The Geha is in an ex military stock.
Will get the owner to have another look but I believe his DW has the "shield" mounted by two screws.
--- John

[John303]

The owner of the DW and I have come to terms, I should have the gun in about 2 weeks. I'll do an autopsy then.
There was a gentleman doing a write up on these guns that I would like to contact. Hopefully he / someone will
let me know his contact Email addy after reading this. --- John

[John303]

I have received to gun and have taken it apart for its 100 year cleaning. Except for the DW logo medallions in the stock it looks like the typical Geha.
Question is - would DW put their mark on the action / barrel? Anything I can look for ? If not, the medallions are the only difference. --- John