Thank you Don and Jerry! I'll keep you posted!

Meet John S. Brundage from Stamford, CT. I've been able to piece together, his career in the millitary had a few different chapters.
He enlisted April 23, 1941in the Army. He was in Battery B 364 Field Artillery in Fort Bragg, NC.
In 1942 he was promoted to Corporal and transferred to Bakersfield, CA in the 64th Air Base Squadron. He attended officer training school and "served as an air reconnaissance officer for a battalion of 8" howitzers in the European Theater during the war."
We know he got out of the millitary around 1945 or 1946.
In 1950, under a stepped up mobilization program, he returned to service as Captain Jack Brundage, commanding officer of Battery "C", 192nd National Guard Division that went into federal service.
This is who brought the Luger back to the states.

Jerry sent me an email, with a link to this thread.

My pistol is a luger that was converted to police use. The frame is dated 1917 and has naval markings on the real grip strap The toggle is DWM. The barrel is dated 1912. The pistol was renumbered to the serial # on the side of the chamber.

It belonged to my uncle (actually the husband of my aunt). He brought it back from WWII. In addition to the magazine, the front and back of the back strap is marked with 4 different unit numbers. After the war, when I was 8 (1946) he would show me the pistol and would speculate on the units it had been with. The marking on the back of the grip strap was a naval marking. A common and normal naval marking for navy lugers in 1917. One of the markings on on the front of the grip strap was U(with a umlate).68. He always wondered if it had been issued to a U boat sailor and how it did not go to the bottom of the ocean.

He spent time back then trying to figure out what units had the luger. We had many a long time talking about it. There was not much info available in the 40s and early 50s. In 1955, when I graduated from high school, he gave it to me as a graduation present. I disposed of it a few years ago.

Charlie, Thanks! So it's out there somewhere...?

I hated to let it go, but I needed some cash so I disposed of about 15 pieces most of which were on the low end of condition. The pistol was not in the best condition as it showed considerable wear. But it will turn up again.

I guess when it comes down to it, I can't keep everything and there is a priority such as a cherry 3 corner cupboard made for my Great Grandmother's wedding by her father, or a chest of drawers with a marble top with a mirror that belonged to my wife's grandmother. Then there is this single shot muzzle loading pistol that will fit into a pocket that belonged to my grandfather and a 1917 Artillery Luger with a matching numbered stock, with all of the leather and a snail drum (only) that my wife gave me for our first anniversary. (And a bunch of other stuff.)

Thank you Charlie for all that info! I've been finding this research facinating. It sounds like your piece has a lengthy tale to tell. I can see how an uncle and nephew could spend hours speculating on its travels. Its interesting that the paths of these pieces have intersected once again.
I'm grateful that you contributed the photo to Don's book. Since we're not collectors, we're completely satisfied with that. Who knew it would later lead to a match up? Tuck our email address away, and if you ever hear from the purchaser, please pass it along. These pieces have crossed paths twice now, they say the third time is the charm. Maybe one day the spare magazine and this 100 year old Luger will be reunited.
Many Thanks,
Diane

Darn! This is the second time I've missed playing matchmaker!

Don,
Don't be too upset, now it means I have to buy your book! :)
Thank you for all your help. This forum was more helpful than I ever thought it would be. There is such a wealth of information here. But more surprising is the willingness and patience of everyone that took the time to respond.
Diane

I asked Charlie where it went and this is what he said. He sold it to a guy at a gun show table.



I am not sure but I think he mentioned that he lived south of Louisville - but it has been a long time. I could see it turning up at the National Gun Day show one of these days. I am not sure if I would recognize him any more though.

Charlie

Every cloud has a silver lining! I hope you enjoy the book.

Be Careful!:eek:
Don M's book has been known to cause addiction to police luger collecting in folks with limited will power- such as myself.

It is a great book, along with Police Lugers by our other forum members Tinker and Gruber.:evilgrin:

Diane, please thank your son for his service to our country and you and your husband for your sacrifices, as well. I am sure I am joined by the majority of members of this forum.

Also, I enjoyed our joint research! :thumbup: