Find
The program Gorcum Museum received an unusual donation in 2013: a rifle, a carbine with accompanying bayonets from the Dutch army from the Second World War and an officer's sabre from the 19de century.
The weapons were dredged up 25 years ago, probably during the renovation of the Lingehaven between 1983 and 1988, or during dredging in the Vluchthaven. Unfortunately, no further information is available on this. The weapons were probably deliberately smashed and thrown into the water at the capitulation in May 1940, so that they could not fall into the hands of the occupier.
Prince Bernhard inspects the troops in Gorinchem, January 1, 1940.
Special find
The finds were transferred to the archaeological depot. Dr. AVAJ Bosman of Military Legacy in Dordrecht was asked to identify the material. Bosman determined that these were weapons of Dutch manufacture: a carbine M95-3, a rifle M95 (both with matching bayonets) and an officer's sabre. These types of firearms were in use by the army from 1895. The sabre is older (after 1813).
Although the weapons are not unique to the Netherlands, they certainly have a high local value. During the restoration, their condition was surprisingly good.
Weapons to Den Bosch
In recent years there has been increasing interest in the archaeology of modern …
Research report
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Bosman, AVAJ (2013) The broken rifle. Determination of finds from the May days of 1940, dredged up in Gorinchem, Military Legacy Report ML 27, Dordrecht. flipbook | PDF (1,38 MB) |
Media
Not historical, but unique: WWII weapons in Gorcum Museum
