American Rifleman – September 2019

88 SEPTEMBER 2019 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

I HAVE THIS OLD GUN ...

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B

y the early 1930s, Germany was working

clandestinely to circumvent the military

restrictions imposed on it by the Versailles

Treaty. One way to get around prohibitions on

military training was to obscure it under the

guise of “sport.” To that end, manufacturers

began making .22 ries styled like the Mauser

Gewehr 98 to be purchased by shooting clubs and

paramilitary organizations. Eventually, the ries,

like the “competitions” they were used in, would

be standardized; but, at the start, every manufac-

turer offered its own unique design.

Many companies, including Erma, Geco and

Walther, jumped to meet the demand for a military-

style kleinkaliberbüchse (small-bore rie). Simson,

a rm famous for its production of Model 98 ries

and Luger handguns—in addition to automobiles,

motorcycles and bicycles—introduced the W625,

based on its Model 317 sporting rie. A single-

shot, bolt-action rie with a full-length military-

style stock, the W625 closely replicates the

dimensions of the Wehrmacht’s standard infantry

rie, the 98k. Its barrel and overall length were

approximately the same, and it weighed about a

pound less. The bolt handle, bolt-mounted wing

safety and bolt release were in similar positions

to its big brother. The rear sight was a 98-style

tangent design graduated from 25 to 200 meters.

The W625 would go through several changes dur-

ing its production. The B model pictured has sling

mounts that are placed on the left side and a faux

cleaning rod/stacking rod under the barrel.

In a bitter case of irony during the W625B’s

production, the Jewish-owned Simson company

was conscated by the Nazis and renamed

Berlin Suhler Waffen-und Fahrzeugwerke

(BSW), later Gustloff-Werke. It continued to

produce rearms throughout World War II.

The W625B pictured here is one of the

nal ries produced under the Simson name.

Because each rm made its Model 98-style

.22 a little differently, the need was seen to

standardize. Mauser was chosen to develop a

rie based on its “B-series” .22s. The result was

the DSM-34 or Deutsche Sportmodell, which was

manufactured by a dozen companies. In 1938,

the more famous Kleinkaliber Wehrsportgeweher

(KKW) or “Small Bore Sports Rie,” a design that

closely duplicated the 98k down to its bayonet

lug, was introduced.

Many of these “.22 trainers” will be found

with military unit markings, the names of

shooting clubs or sporting goods retailers. The

diversity of their variations makes for a fertile

eld for collectors. Those interested in the ries

should pick up a copy of the book, Training

Ries Of Third Reich Germany by Robert Simpson,

a reference based on the Simpson collection of

more than 1,000 training ries.

The W625B pictured has no import marks and

was probably a G.I. bring-back following World

War II. The .22 trainers were popular war trophies

and, back in the United States, their chambering

ensured a ready supply of ammunition and they

proved to be perfect for teaching kids how to

shoot and hunt small game. As such, this example

has seen use, with wear evident on both its metal

and stock nishes. It remains in fair condition

with an excellent bore, though it is missing the

sling that each rie was originally supplied with,

as well as the rear sling stud. Its value is $600.

Once a neglected eld of collecting, German

.22 training ries have increased in value, espe-

cially for rarer makers, those with special mark-

ings or in a unique conguration. All are good

representatives of a time when a nation used

sport as a secret way to train for war.

—JEREMIAH KNUPP, FIELD EDITOR

SIMSON W625B .22 TRAINER

Photos by Holly Marcus

GUN: W625B

MANUFACTURER: SIMSON & CO. (GERMANY)

CHAMBERING: .22 LONG RIFLE

CONDITION: NRA FAIR (MODERN GUN STANDARDS)

VALUE: $600