New member needs help identifying Gustav Genschow small caliber gun

[Steve Whitley]

I did not state or imply anything prior to April 1934, did I? None of these could have been delivered prior to April 1934 by the licensing agreement for making or marketing them. Where did I say anything otherwise, with which you "disagree"?

Steve

[Steve Whitley]

The only thing I can find that may have thrown you askew is my statement that the lack of the nitro mark gives evidence of this being supplied to Geco by one of the Suhl firms. That, I assure you, can be taken as fact. The only other possible source of the gun would be from Mauser, which would show proofing from there.

Steve

[ellenbr]

I'm curious what part Diem played?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

[Steve Whitley]

Heinrich Diem is one of three firms which probably contributed no parts or components to this little consortium in Zella-Mehlis, but rather joined for the benefit of being able to obtain a few barreled actions (or whatever components they did not wish to make on their own) for the DSMs in order to produce a few of this "politically correct" rifle. Also, it would have allowed them to do so under the LICENSE of the consortium's contract with Mauser for manufacturing rights, thus saving the RM 200 fee for those rights. They likely only turned out 100 or less of this model, but it was good politics to offer the "official" training and sport-shooting .22 in catalogs or advertising, and have a few with their own trademark on the receiver top. Only two known examples of Diem-marked DSMs have been recorded. Other firms which appear to have taken advantage of the consortium licensing this way were Bolte und Anschutz, and Franz Schmidt (brother to Herbert) in Zella-Mehlis.

Steve

[ellenbr]

Thanks for the effort. The bulk of the Diem mechanics could be found in Benshausen. Is there any info to suggest that Ziegenhahn was part of the little consortium? In any references does the name Diem appear as Diemb?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

[Steve Whitley]

No, the Ziegenhahn (Zi-Di) connection does not seem to apply in this particular project. And there is no "b" on the Diem logo. Will post an image here shortly if I can find one readily available. I am packing paper and digital files for forthcoming trip to nail this book effort.

Steve

[Steve Whitley]

Here is the Diem logo, as it appears on DSM receivers. Pardon the image quality, as it is a copy of a copy from the proof for the book.

Steve

Diem.jpg