K-98 marking question (HP)

[skeeter4206]

I was checking out this old K-98 mauser on gunbroker and noticed this HP marking on the top. I know that lugers have a HP marking on some representing it was used by the Hesse Police. I was just curious if this marking represents the same thing. If not I was wondering if there was any other firearm that was stamped with the HP marking like the luger. The K-98 didnt look the same style stamping nor did I see a weapon number, so I'm thinking they are not the same. But I just wanted to ask the question as I was curious.

[Schupo]

Skeeter,

The dot marked Kar98 is much too late for the marking to indicate the Hesse Police. These HP property markings were phased out by 1936. Also, the block letters are from a different die stamp than those used by the Hesse Police.

I hope this is helpful.

[skeeter4206]

I was kinda thinking that. What kind of gun is that in the pic above.

[Schupo]

Originally Posted by skeeter4206

I was kinda thinking that. What kind of gun is that in the pic above.

It is a Walther Model 4 pistol.

[skeeter4206]

Where there rifles issued to any police that preobably would have a stamp like the real ones, or were they just issued pistols back then. IT could work as a billy club as well, while walking the street.

[Schupo]

Originally Posted by skeeter4206

Where there rifles issued to any police that preobably would have a stamp like the real ones, or were they just issued pistols back then. IT could work as a billy club as well, while walking the street.

Yes, rifles were issued to both Municipal Police (Schutzpolizei) and Rural Police (Gendarmerie) units. While every regular Schupo on patrol was issued a pistol only 1 in 10 was issued a rifle since they were not needed in great numbers in a city. Every Gendarm was issued a rifle since they had little or no backup out in rural areas.

Police units were typically not issued the Kar.98k like the one you show but were instead issued the Kar.98a. They were police property marked but generally on the butt-stock or -plate.

Here is an example of the Kar.98a that is property marked to the Railway Police. The markings on the stock indicate the Reichs Eisenbahn Verwaltung while the markings on the buttplate indicate the specific railhead.

[skeeter4206]

Thats pretty cool right there. I do appreciate the info on police markings.

[Schupo]

You are welcome. I see that I forgot to post an overall pix of the Kar.98a carbine. Most, but not all, regular police units serving within the Reich were issued this particular model.