DE code on HK guns
I recently came across a thread from another member questioning the significance of the new code DE on HK firearms. Some people surmise it to mean deutschland. I came across an article :
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo...t-Res61-66.pdf
Page 3 second paragraph:
"Each weapon of the Federal Armed Forces is unambiguously marked and bears the following information: manufacturer, weapon type, calibre, month and year of delivery ex works, serial number, proof firing stamp, possibly additional marks, such as, e.g., maintenance information.
The marks are applied in accordance with the standards of applicable technical manuals and are unique. In order to increase the transparency within the field of marking of SALW Germany has begun the process to introduce the stamp “DE” as a central identification code."
Base on what the article says, it sounds to me all firearms manufactured in Germany will have the stamp DE on them, not just HK guns. This makes me suspect that DE indeed stands for Deutschland (a country code of some sort), although the article never did say what if stood for. I suspect other countries will also have their own country code.
SALW= Small Arms & Light Weapons
Addendum: SIG pistols also have DE code stamped on frame