Picked up Erfurt 1917 today

[Ron Smith]

Ed, Weimar Reichswehr markings are reversed. Company number first and usually, but not always followed by / and then the Regiment number.

This is a nonregulation marking. Should be 139.J.R. to be as per the order,but not all that unusual.

William,

Staff pistols could have been stored in the regimental armory as ready replacements or could have been issued to noncoms or messengers, etc. Very doubtful that it was issued to a commissioned officer. Officers were required to purchase their own side arms. Stab(staff) pistols are are a bit scarcer than company marked lugers. And were usually marked with a weapon number, ie; "139.R. .12. " A space left for the company number to be added after issue.

Also, it looks as though the R is improvised. Like a P with a leg added. This could be a clue as to why there is no J. and possibly accounts for the missing company and weapon number. The armorer may not have had a full set of dies.

Ron