The trade badge of the WaffenmeisterThe maintenance of the weapons of the German Army was an important job. The Waffenmeister's along with his armourer had to frequently check weapons and equipment for wear, repair any faults and keep them clean and in good working order.
Alongside maintenance, the Waffenmeister was also tasked with jobs such as adapting captured Russian weapons to take German ammunition magazines and producing a variety of parts such winter triggers.
He would usually be found in a workshop, where he could perform most of the repairs required of him. If the weapon required a complete overhaul it would be forwarded onto a 'Heeres Zeug Amt' depot.
The main aim however was to fix as much as possible as close to the front as possible - if two weapons were damaged they would swap parts to make one working gun.
With an MG 34 already stripped and awaiting parts, the armourer get to work stripping
a faulty K98.
Top: Cleaning the firing mechanism of a K98, a belt loading machine and the 'P-tin' (Petroleumskasten) which contained two 1.25 litre oil cans.
Just serviced by the Waffenmeiser - the P-38 pistol, the MP40 and the MP44. Bottom an MG34 is stripped ready for cleaning.
Top: The armourers toolkit.
Bottom left: Ensuring that all parts are free of dirt, rust and are well oiled. Bottom right: Ammunition waiting to be belted up
Top: Cleaning kit for the MP44
Bottom: Tools for working on the MG's. A lighter selection of these would also be carried by gunners for repairs in the field.
Copyright© of Grossdeutschland 2008.