1917 DWM luger with unit markings and London proofing

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Mark1

Don,
It's a nice looking Luger and as you say there is some interesting history behind it.
The proof marks are the London Proof House and the .752" cartridge length plus the 13 tons (psi) date the marks from 1955.
Perhaps the owner got it back after Home Guard service and had to submit it for civilian proofing in order to keep it ?
Mark

Mark,
thanks for the input.
I found one reference that said the "tons" designation was used up to to WWII, I'd like to find a reference with more info. Can you point me at a reference or book? I'm no expert on Brit proving.

I do wish its "travels" were better known, a bit of a mystery for sure, how it came to be finished in Suncorite and re-proved.

[Mark1]

Don,
My usual go-to is "The Standard Directory of Proof Marks" by Gerhard Wirnsberger, published by Jolex. It covers all of the European Proof Houses with a very good German section and a very good summary of the British proofs.
My comment is slightly in error. The marking of the cartridge length became a requirement from 1925 and the marking of the service pressure was a requirement from 1955.
Interestingly, the German proof marks were accepted with no additional marking by the British proof authorities until that recognition was cancelled in 1946.
With the standardizing of proof testing by the CIP in the 1970's both Germany and Britain have mutually recognised proof standards now.
Mark