Hugh, you may want to look at the trigger guard with a loop to see if there are any impressions of "Odin International's" import mark. I believe they brough most of the Siamese Mausers into the country. Perhaps it came in with that bunch.

Very cool gun Hugh.

Just for completeness sake:

The crown/W mark (for "Wilhelmina", Dutch queen), in combination with the serial numbers makes this undeniably a Dutch contract.

Lack of brass traces means either an Officer's gun or a Gun that went AWOL before the mid-30s.

GVV, I agree that only the enlisted issued PO8s (still owned by the gov't) would have the brass plate attached, but question how close the relationship between the Dutch and Siamese was during WW2, since the Thais were loosely supporting the Axis powers. TH

Ok guys, I appreciate all the comments and suggestions that you have offered. I have gone over the gun with a 10x glass and can find no trace of an importers mark or indication of a brass plate or solder remanents. It is obvious that the gun has been refinished at some time in its history, but apparently long ago, as the fine pitting is in the present finish. It does have a 1925 date stamp on top of the bbl.

I also discovered this Vickers proof that was under the safety lever in my previous photo.
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/vickers5.jpg

Hugh, you done good, your price you paid was reasonable I think, and I like it!

:) Ed

Hi Tom,

I think the best way to describe the Dutch/Thai relationship during WW2 is 'suspended'. This marked a depth point in an otherwise good relationship. Dutch forced-labour workers were put to work in bad conditions.

The Dutch government fled to the UK, the country was under control of the Germans. The colonies were battling the Japanese (and losing). So all in all, it was a time of chaos.

Also, most of the KNIL-staff, as mentioned eaerlier, consisted of locals who could travel around and blend into the masses pretty easily as opposed to the Dutch themselves who got rounded up and were put to work by the Japanese in terrible conditions.