What is the German 1920 Double Date Stamp?

Published on June 3, 2017
Duration: 10:23

This guide explains the significance of the German 1920 double date stamp found on firearms like the Luger and Karabiner 98. Expert Ian McCollum details how this stamp was a property mark indicating legal military ownership after WWI, in compliance with the Treaty of Versailles, rather than a manufacturing date. The video covers the historical context of German disarmament and subsequent rearmament, highlighting common firearms that bear this important historical marking.

Quick Summary

The '1920' stamp on German firearms is a property mark, not a manufacturing date. It signifies legal military ownership under post-WWI Treaty of Versailles regulations, distinguishing retained arms from those confiscated or destroyed. Commonly found on Lugers and Kar98s, it represents a critical period of German disarmament and controlled rearmament.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction to 1920 Double Date Stamp
  2. 00:30Explaining the Double Date
  3. 01:04Post-WWI German Gun Control
  4. 02:00Allied Oversight and Disarmament
  5. 03:00German Disarmament Law of 1920
  6. 03:47Scale of Disarmament
  7. 04:05Evasion and Stockpiling
  8. 04:56Military Property Stamp (1920)
  9. 06:10Purpose of the 1920 Stamp
  10. 07:13Common Firearms with 1920 Stamp
  11. 08:00Historical Significance & Refurbishment
  12. 09:00Later Production with 1920 Stamp

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the '1920' stamp on German firearms signify?

The '1920' stamp on German firearms, often seen alongside an original manufacture date, is a property mark. It indicates that the firearm was legally owned by the German military (Reichswehr) during the post-World War I era, in compliance with the Treaty of Versailles restrictions.

Why were firearms stamped with '1920' after World War I?

Following WWI, the Treaty of Versailles imposed strict limits on German armaments. The '1920' stamp was applied to firearms retained by the military to distinguish them as legal government property, differentiating them from the vast numbers of weapons that were supposed to be confiscated or destroyed.

Which firearms commonly feature the German '1920' double date stamp?

The '1920' double date stamp is most frequently observed on Luger pistols and Karabiner 98 bolt-action rifles. It can also be found on other German firearms from the period, such as MP18 submachine guns and occasionally C96 Mausers or Gewehr 98 rifles.

What was the historical context behind the German '1920' stamp?

The stamp relates to Germany's post-WWI disarmament under the Treaty of Versailles. Millions of firearms were to be surrendered, and the '1920' mark signified that a weapon was part of the limited arsenal legally kept by the Reichswehr.

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