Here you will find a very useful list of WW2 German Waffenamt markings, their respective codes & manufacturers.

The Germans are famous for their detail in production, markings and over all quality. To maintain this quality, most items were marking with a waffenamt stamp. This normally came along with a number to show the original manufacturer, their location and in some cases, the period it was produced in.

As collectors in the modern age, this information is invaluable. We want to collect by variation, from different manufacturer and if nothing else, it is always nice to be able to know where a particular item was made. The Waffenamt markings make all of this possible.

Below is a compiled list of all the known Waffenamt codes, their manufacturer code, the type of manufacturer, their factory or office location and any further notes gathered. Please note that this list is updated from time to time. We are still learning more and will add to it when we can.

Some examples of how Waffenamps are used.

German weapons are an easy place to start as the markings are often crisp and clear in the metal. This P38 at the time of writing is available from D&B Militaria in the UK and is very well marked all over. The waffenamp (tiny as is it) is just above the trigger. In metal it is often easier to read the waffenamp codes as they were crispy engraved and assuming the item remains in good condition, the markings should be readable.

Up next is a WW2 German gas mask. Items like jerry cans, some boxes, labels, paperwork, gas masks to list a few, would have been marked with an ink stamp. If the marking was crisply done, they can be easy enough to read. However, in most cases the ink stamps were smudged or have simply been worn down over the years meaning sadly we can’t see what the code shows. This example below comes from the side

 of a German Luftshutz (Civil defence) gas mask and is clear to read WaA104. Based on the reference grid below, the mask was produced by Auer in Oranienburg between 1940-41. It adds a level of personal interest and detail to what otherwise is a fairly strait-forward item.

Types of Waffenamt markings.

Much like the below list, these photos are by no means extensive. They have been around the internet a long time and are a very useful basic guide to how the markings should look. The Army (Wehrmacht), Airforce (Luftwaffe) and Navy (Kriegsmarine) all have their own slight variations then you also have SS, SA, police and so on who all have their own slight variations.

Both of the below images appear to be out of books and are generally used by collectors as the go to reference when discussing waffenamt variations. I am sure that there are more variations, but this is certainly a good starting point.