Mauser in China: K98k, the last Mauser-China Contract

The Second Sino-Japanese War outbroke on July 7 1937. At this point, China domestic rifle production amounted to 80000 pieces a year. Huge loss of weapons and machinery forced China to acquire extra small arms from Europe. Within 6 months after outbreak of the war more than 150000 rifles having been ordered from FN and ZB.

1938 Chinese K98k Contract

Although China did not award first order to Mauser until February 1938, Chinese government requested German government to provide 100000 rifles right after Japanese full scale invasion in July 1937. In early 1938, the quantity further increased to 300000 rifles which request had never being fulfilled. German government’s reluctant to provide rifles to China compelling Nationalist government to seek a commercial contract.

Chinese official Tan Boyu (商務專員處專員譚伯羽), the Representative of Chinese Commercial Office in Berlin, was deputed by Central Military Committee of Nationalist Government to negotiate a rifle contract with Mauser Company. The optimistic Committee planned to acquire 100000 rifles from Mauser in the year of 1938.

China expected to buy 100,000 Mauser K98k in 1938. Above is the expected delivery times exerted from Nationalists Government Defense Ministry telegraph

The first Chinese contract consisting of 50000 K98k rifles, which China paid 5.25 pounds apiece, was awarded to Mauser in February 1938. In February 1938 exchange rate that is 65RM apiece. The production was supposed to be commenced shortly afterwards. In April, Tan Boyu initiated an agreement with Mauser Company for the second contract of 50000 rifles. The deteriorating situation of diplomacy between Germany and China, however, diminished the possibility of further supplying firearms to China.

On May 3, Tan received Mauser Company’s delegate who brought Tan ominous news in Chinese embassy. Mauser Company officially informed Chinese official that the delivery of 5000 rifles scheduled in May has to be postponed due to the embargo. Considering the situation, it’s unlikely for Mauser Company to take the offer of the second contract of 50000 rifles. Tan telegraphed Chiang Kai Shek on May 4. He suggested the Generalissimo to discontinue the ongoing negotiation with Mauser Company. His suggest was approved on July 1.

Chinese Nationalist government record of 1938 contract. 

Chinese Commercial Representative Office in Berlin

The office attached to Chinese Embassy mainly conducted military armaments trades in Europe on behalf of Nationalist Government. Tan Boya was the head of the office since 1933. The office handled many Nationalists Government armaments orders including Mauser pistols, rifles.

Germany-China-Japan relationship and the embargo on China

On April 28 Herman Goring ordered to cease transport of armaments ordered by Chinese government. On May 3, NAZI government declared formal embargo on China which prohibited German companies from shipping weapons to China. Conflicting interests over China-Japan relationship between Reich Ministry of War and Foreign Office weaken implementation of the embargo. The military relied on Chinese armament trade in exchange for crucial raw materials while Foreign office headed by Joachim von Ribbentrop wish to secure a better treaty over privileges in northern China with Japan. Therefore, armaments continued covertly flowing to China after the embargo.

Delivery of 1938 Chinese contract K98k

HAPRO was responsible for majority armaments deals between China and Germany. However this organization, which handled many heavy weapons, such as artillery, torpedo boat and ammunition, did not directly get involved into Chinese small arms deals.  Chinese K98k rifle contracts were processed by Handelsgesellschaft fuer Import und Export, Berman. (IMEX).

Mauser delivered first batch of 5000 rifles in March 1938, followed by 13000 in April, 12000 in May, 5000 in June and 12000 in July. Chinese rifles were shipped to Hongkong from Hamburg. In June 1938 Germany shipping company was prohibited from selling and shipping weapons to China. Nevertheless, Germany allowed to diverted the shipments to Finnish shipping company, Messrs. DAHLBERG and HILBERT, Q.Y Helsinki, whose agency in Hamburg exactly being IMEX. Outwardly, Mauser company would claim the shipments are of Finnish Government’s orders.

On July 5, Chinese official confirmed the first 30000 rifles were accepted. Three days later, on July 8, Tan reported that ship Hansrickmers had left Hamburg carrying 5000 rifles which were of the delivery of May. On July 11, Chinese official Sheng Shengyi reported the last 15000 rifles would be shipped on Aug 1. The Weekly Report of Weapons Importation compiled by Central Military Committee reveals that all 1938 Chinese K98k were delivered to China in intact.

Describing the Chinese 1938 contract K98k

The rifle itself is a standard K98k made at Mauser Obendorf. The crest was replaced with Mauser logo instead of factory code and year. On February 23 1938, Tan Boyu held a meeting with General George Thomas at Chinese embassy in Berlin. In the middle of conversation, General Thomas picked up a phone call from Reich Ministry of War. As Tan’s report to Chiang Kai Shek, someone called Thomas to inform Chinese that their rifles cannot have stamp of year.

Chinese contract rifle has unique proof and acceptance markings. Wehrmacht proof and acceptance markings are replaced by Nationalists sun burst symbols.

Chinese 1938 rifles are serialized from C1 to C50000. Actual production number is slightly over 50000, no sn above 50000 has been observed.  

1939 Chinese K98k Contract

In late 1938, Japan refusing concession Most Favored Nation status in North China to Germany dissolved the effort of achieving an treaty with NAZI government. This setback of Germany-Japan relationship allowed China continuing to order armaments from Germany. 

In November 1938, Nationalist Government desperately need rifles and desired to procure as many as 100,000 rifles. German trade company Siemssen & Co suggested Chinese official that they can use a trade company to purchase weapons for China. 

Chinese Central Bank was deputed to conduct the transaction with trade company and foreign manufactures. Kung Ling-kan, Minister H.H Kung’s elderly son, was China Central Bank’s representative in Hongkong who directly reported to H.H Kung about progress of ordering weapons for Nationalist government. 

The representative enquired potential order from four manufactures and trading companies, including Boixo Frères, FN, ZB and Siemssen & Co. He reported results to H.H Kung on November 10, 1938.

Boixo Frères offers “off the shelf” Model 24 for CIF 4 pounds 18 schillings apiece which can be paid by barter. FN offers Model 24 for CIF 4 pounds 16 schillings apiece which can be paid by barter, say, in exchange of tin ore. Delivery starts in January 1939 for 8000 rifles per month and concludes the deal within 12 months. ZB offers Model 24 for FOB 4 pounds 19 schillings which has to be paid by cash. ZB can deliver 70,000 in stock rifles immediately   and the rest 30,000 would be delivered by end of December. Siemssen & Co. offers “Model 1937” German military rifle which can be delivered within shirt term. 

Kung Ling-kan reported that he might be able to achieve a deal with Siemssen & Co for 5 pounds apeice given Tan Boyu’s first K98k contract was 5.25 pounds apiece. HAPRO would handle the payment. 

On December 4, H.H Kung issued his instruction that the representative need to figure out exact price of both Siemssen & Co and ZB’s offer. H.H Kung’s source informed him that ZB was currently selling rifles in a lower price. 

On December 29, Kung Ling-kan reported that the price of ZB’s offer is 4 pounds 10 schillings and Siemssen & Co agreed to provide 100000 rifles for CIF 5 pounds apiece bounding to Yangon. 

On January 11 1939, Chinese Central Bank representative in Hongkong received instruction from H.H Kung that ZB and Siamese & Co’s offers are being excluded in the consideration because of their uncompetitive price. On January 14, Kung Ling-kan reported that FN had decreased its price followed by Siamese & Co lowering price to 4 pounds 4 schillings apiece if China would buy 50000 rifles. Siamese & Co agreed to complete the delivery within five months by delivering 10000 rifles each month. 

Meanwhile, Kung Ling-kan suggested the down payment could be funded by reallocating 300,000 US dollars of the unrealized cooperation of Chinese-German Airplane Plant. Before the war, Germany promised Nationalist government to build an airplane manufacturing plant in China. Suddenly Siamese & Co had the lead in this bid. On January 19, Minister of Finance therefore granted Kung Ling-kan to sing the agreement with Siemssen & Co.

Though the contract was secured, but there still were obstacles ahead. On February 13, Siamese & Co informed Tan Boyu that Chinese inspectors were probated from inspecting the rifles at scene due to NAZI government’s embargo. The rifles would be inspected by German military officials and delivered in April and May 1939. Three days later, Tan received a telegraph from Kung Ling-kan in which Kung agreed processing the deal though IMEX. And the delivery times rearranged to March and April 1939 regarding the urgency of Chinese government. 

Mauser company delivered 20160 rifles in March and 29960 rifles in April. On March 23, Chinese embassy in Berlin issued a passport to the consignment of “50000 Original Mauser Infantry Rifle Model 1937 Cal.7.9.” 

Foreign Ministry record of issuing passport to  “50000 Original Mauser Infantry Rifle Model 1937 Cal.7.9.” , dated Nationalist Year 28 (1939), March. 

British custom in Burma records 49960 rifles arrived in Yangon between May and July. It takes 4 to 8 weeks from Hamburg to designated port.

Describing the 1939 Chinese contract K98k

1939 contract rifle applied same pattern of proof and acceptance markings as that appeared on 1938 contract rifle. Only difference is elimination of number 29 under specific sunbursts.

Chinese 1939 rifles were serialized from 0 to 9999 with or without letter suffix. Observed specimens are from a, b, c, d, e, and non-suffix blocks.