Gustav Appel Maschinenfabrik

  The company Gustav Appel Maschinenfabrik was located in Berlin-Spandau, and during the war - apart from Reinigungsgeräte - manufactured tools, grenade launchers, mg belt cartridge loaders and other metal hardware. 

  Gustav Appel, the company's founder, patented in 1934 the Behälter [container] that would become the Reinigungsgerät 34. This firm produced it from 1934 to the end of the war in 1945. Also was the only firm that manufactured (and marked) commercially the Rg 34 while at the same time produced it for the Wehrmacht.
  Today because of its abundance it is easy to find kits made by G. Appel, although for some collectors their kits manufactured during the war are a not much sought piece due to its lack of diversity in their markings. With regard to the war kits observing in detail the case of the Rg 34 can guide us on to know the period in which it was manufactured. This can help us sometimes to determine whether the contents of the kit corresponds to their case.
  The Gustav Appel firm, creator of the Rg 34, throughout its manufacturing would maintain what can be called two production lines: the commercial and the military. It is important to keep this in mind, not exempt from peculiarities and exceptions, for a better vision in the study of the Rg 34 equipment manufactured by this firm and thus understand the reasons for the numerous differences and variations that are observed in them. It must be taken into account that this differentiation is mainly based on the different final users of this equipment and not on possible manufacturing differences.

• Military production: All Rg34s manufactured under contract for the Wehrmacht, after their official introduction in September 1934, fall under this denomination. As a general rule, these equipment present markings of acceptance (Waffenamt) by the Heereswaffenamt in the Behälter, although there seem to be some exceptions to this, such as in the early years of its manufacture, as well as towards the end of the war (1944/45). Another characteristic is the use of a code (64/cnx) replacing the firm's logo since the year 1938/39.
• Commercial production: This group includes all Rg34s manufactured for the purpose of being sold commercially to individuals (hunters, shooters,...) as well as to be supplied to organizations or government departments, auxiliary and paramilitary units, export, etc. In this case, the use of the company logo in Behälter would be maintained throughout its production.

 Pre war kits

  G. Appel marked their kits from 1935 to 1938 with their firm's name and the year. There are also kits only with the name without the year (with the Waffenamt WaA61) and are believed to be of 1939. Generally all the parts are marked as in the lid of the case.

Some pre war kits from "G. Appel".

"G. Appel 1936" contents.

Markings on the parts of a "G.Appel 1936". No Waffenamt present.

A "G.APPEL 1938" marked chain, also with WaA500

A pre war commercial Rg 34 made by G.Appel. No markings (only in the chain).

Interior of the commercial G. Appel kit. Tool is missing.

The worn chain of the commercial kit. Marked only "G.APPEL".

The early war kits

  In 1938/39 the code number "64" was assigned to G. Appel by the Heeserwaffenamt, and also almost simultaneously appeared the Waffenamt WaA20, that would be associated with this company until the end of their production. G. Appel, unlike almost all the rest of the Rg 34 manufacturers, from 1939 onwards don't dated their kits.
  It seems that, apart the military production also continued the comercially manufacture of the Rg 34, very possibly until the end of war. These kits were "G. Appel" marked.

One tinned and another painted "64" marked kits. Note the different number pattern stamping.

Interior of a "64" coded kit.  Note the high  quality.

Parts markings from a "64" marked kit.

Two "64" marked chains, also with WaA61 (left) and WaA20 (right).

A close-up of the "64" and Waffenamt WaA20.

Three "64" coded kits. A dark green kit between two dark gray.

A commercial "G.Appel" Rg 34 with the extra clamp for the 9 mm brush, no Waffenamt.
(More info here)

The inner of the "9mm Rg 34".

The parts, only with the chain and tool with the firm's name marked, no Waffenamt.

 The mid war kits

  In 1941  the number code "64" was replaced by the letter code "cnx" (the code was assigned in March). From 1942 appeared in their kits the phenolic oilers alternating with the metal ones. Generally the contents (except the phenolic oiler) were marked also with the "cnx" and the Waffenamt WaA20, but towards the end this will be obviated.

The change and likely evolution on the markings, "64" to "cnx" at right, and later to the left.

A Mid-war (near early) "cnx" kit.

The inner of the kit shown before, all "cnx" marked. Ölburst is missing.

A mid war "cnx" Rg 34.

The typical contents of a mid war kit. Tool and chain "cnx" marked.

Another mid war "cnx" Rg 34.

The inner of the above kit, in this case with a metallic oiler

 

Two mid war "cnx" kits of type 1: dark green (left) and dark grey (right).

The late war kits

  In the late war kits from G. Appel generally only found phenolic oilers and cleaning chains and takedown tools of late war style.

A late war G. Appel kit.

The contents of the above kit, the tool and the Reinigungsburste are missing.

A late war "cnx" kit without Waffenamt.

The contents of the above kit.

Another late war kit.

The contents, tool is missing. The well rusted metallic oiler is marked with the "64" code.

An unmarked and well worn Rg 34 from G. Appel (Ersatz case ?). Only has a faintly marked Waffenamt WaA20 at right.

The contents of the unmarked kit. Tool is missing.

A close-up of the WaA20

A late war "G. Appel" kit (commercial ?), no Waffenamt..

The contents of the late war "G. Appel" kit, tool is missing. Chain is of "kriegsmodell" type.

Three late war "cnx" kits dark green painted. Note the differences.

Info about the late war "C N X" kits here.