1./A.R.1.40 any info on this unit please

[Ron Smith]

James,

IMO, the electro-penciled number would indicate a VoPo. All VoPos were Russian Captured, and then distrubuted to the East German police, who inturn, mixed and force matched parts.

A VoPos, for a lack of a better disciption, are re-worked Russian Captures.

Your Luger was WWI issue, Reichswehr issue, Wermacht issue serving on the Eastern Front, captured by the Russians, and re-issued to the East Germans. Quite a history, for bits of steel and wood.

Ron

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

All VoPos were Russian Captured, and then distrubuted to the East German police, who inturn, mixed and force matched parts.

James -

Do not underestimate the East German 'Police'. In the Cold War years, following WW II, the East Germans were using their 'barrack police' as the nucleus of their new army. The 'Police' had tanks and MiG jet fighters. They were one of the reasons the Cold War was so intense. If the USSR had ever decided to engulf Europe, the East German 'Police' would have been an integral part of their shock army. IIRC, East German pilots even flew & fought in some of the insurrections in Africa in the 50's & 60's as 'advisors'...

I don't have Don Maus' book, but I would be interested in knowing just what East German 'Police' units were armed with Lugers...