A rare World War II rifle has been found in a museum basement in northwest Poland, where it had been lying for over 10 years after being mistaken for a toy.
The surprise discovery at the Coastal Defense Museum at the former 19th-century Fort Gerhard in the town of Świnoujście was made when a staff member carrying out an inventory recognized the gun as a Volkssturmgewehr VG 1-2 (people’s assault rifle).
A simple bolt-action rifle made of sheet metal, the weapon was produced for members of the Volkssturm national militia set up by Nazi Germany during the final phase of the war.
The museum’s director, Piotr Piwowarczyk, told the Polish Press Agency: “This rifle has an unprofessional appearance and that lulled our vigilance.
“The Volkssturmgewehr is one of the last German Wunderwaffe of World War II and a real rarity in the world.
“No more than a few dozen pieces have survived in museums and collections.
“In Poland, it is most likely the only copy of this weapon.”
A simple bolt-action rifle made of sheet metal, the weapon was produced for members of the Volkssturm national militia set up by Nazi Germany during the final phase of the war.
The museum’s director, Piotr Piwowarczyk, told the Polish Press Agency: “This rifle has an unprofessional appearance and that lulled our vigilance.
“The Volkssturmgewehr is one of the last German Wunderwaffe of World War II and a real rarity in the world.
“No more than a few dozen pieces have survived in museums and collections.
“In Poland, it is most likely the only copy of this weapon.”
The rifle had been donated to the museum by a private collector, along with an old shotgun, parts for a Mauser pistol and other war relics.
Piwowarczyk said: “It was described as a toy, an air gun. The wooden parts, the stock and the handguard were made, and not very professionally, by a home-grown carpenter.
“Instead of rivets, there are screws. The trigger guard and trigger also look strange.
“We decided that it could be a weapon modified by a poacher.”
Piwowarczyk said: “It was described as a toy, an air gun. The wooden parts, the stock and the handguard were made, and not very professionally, by a home-grown carpenter.
“Instead of rivets, there are screws. The trigger guard and trigger also look strange.
“We decided that it could be a weapon modified by a poacher.”
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