German designation referring to captured US M1 Carbines. Rough translation: Self Loading Carbine, Model 455 (American). There were Wehrmacht designations for an incredibly diverse array of captured weapons. The "( _)" identified the country of origin.
Yes, Alan, I know. I just ran across this little tidbit a short while ago and posted it as sort of a quiz. I can't see the Wehrmacht creating a waffenamt designation for just the odd carbine picked up in the field so there must have been a fairly large number is German hands.I wonder if they actually brought them to a central location and then issued them with captured ammo. If so did they stamp a waffenamt number on them like they did with other captured weapons? (Eagle/455(a) I suppose). A carbine with a WA mark on it would be a real find!
Some interesting reading here: http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?11369-US-M1-carbine-with-German-WWII-Waffenamt-proofmark&
Wow! I know the e/135 is a mauser proof so that's where they probably took them to be proofed. The Germans must also have captured a fair amount of ammo in order to make it worthwhile. I wonder what happened to those carbines....? Oh yes, thanks for sharing that site!
