Rothhammer1
(.400 member)
02/12/20 03:01 PM
Re: Steyr 6.5x53R - info on this wanted as well

I've got something for you, John.

I seem to have discovered the identity of the unit marking on your KNIL Marechaussee. Per information found here; https://www.gunboards.com/threads/dutch-knil-carbine-help.1085037/ , it was issued to the KNIL South & East Borneo Territorial Command.

Here's the pertinent bits:

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Z. O. B. is Garnizoensbataljon Zuid- en Oost afd. Borneo. Garrison Battalion of South & East Borneo. the e- is usually preceded by a unit number but because of the low weapon number and the fact that it is a garrison rather than a field unit there is no unit number. I don't know where the garrison was located on Borneo. Neat pick up. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Dan

South and East Borneo, would suggest the Oil well and oil storage Town and Port of Kalimantan, the only major place that would merit a Garrison for its strategic importance.
Also the Provincial capital.
The KNIL managed to fire the oil plants and storage before the Japanese occupied Borneo in 1942.
Doc AV

Doc AV
I think you nailed it. The carbine configuration is that of the Marechaussee. The unit information came from the book "Nederlandse Vurrwappens, KNIL En Militaire Luchtvaat 1897-1942." by Drs. G. de Vries & B. J. Martens. The book is printed in the Dutch language. They wrote several books on Dutch weapons.
Regards
Dan

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So, if I have it right, your carbine came into this world at Steyr, Austria, in 1911 as a full length 'Dutch' M1895 Mannlicher rifle which was sent to Hembrug in the Netherlands in 1940 to be reconfigured to its present carbine form for issue to the KNIL at the Garrison Battalion of South and East Borneo.


Other stuff:

South and East Borneo Territorial Command (Regiment status), overseeing southern and eastern part of Borneo, commanded by Lt. Col. H.T. Halkema.

Combat units:
South and East Borneo Garrison battalion, based in Bandjermasin
City Watchmen company, based in Bandjermasin
Militia platoon, based in Bandjermasin

Detached units:
City Watchmen platoon, based in Amoentai
City Watchmen platoon, based in Barabai
City Watchmen platoon, based in Kandangan
Air Defense Artillery squad, based in Koetawaringin Airbase

Fire Support unit:
Air Defense Artillery squad, based in Bandjermasin

Other Support unit:
Mobile Auxiliary First-Aid platoon

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1173341

https://surplused.com/index.php/2014/09/25/a-quick-and-dirty-guide-dutch-mannlichers/





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