Art luger but who was it issued to?
 

As part of my collection I have come into possession of a 1917 DWM luger in "Artillery" specification. It is complete with matching shoulder board, magazine and leatherwork. Written on the shoulder board is the unit (46th Battery) regimental number and his name.
The name is in not entirely legible and there is considerable debate about what the original owners (or rather issuees) name is. I would appreciate any help in deciphering the name and advice as to where I mught be able to find his service record etc.

Congratulations on your LP08 complete rig.

I doubt that military regulations would have permitted or encouraged a soldier to write his name on his issued firearm.

There were unit markings placed on many firearms, and records kept at unit level associating issued firearms with the individual soldier responsible for the firearm.

I can't make out the detail of the markings you show from your photographs.

It is possible that the person that captured this rig wrote their own name on it, or that someone that later came into possession of it wrote their name on it.

Thanks but the evidence suggests that early in the war, unit markings were put on them but as the war progressed it was recognized that this added to intelligence information and the practice ceased. I doubt the Australian who captured it wrote a german name on it. Other contributors have advised the name is likely H J Wilhausen or Wilhauser. I think this was written by the units armourer on issuing the firearm to the soldier.

Wilkinson

Wilkerson

H J

H I

H G

Hi,
I agree with mrerick, I doubt very much that a German soldier would inscribe his name on his issued weapon, it's far more likely that it was done by an Anzac on the troop ship home, "to prevent loss".
Norm

Andrew,

I write as an amateur with limited knowledge, not as an expert, however, it seems to me that the writing on the stock of your arty is not likely to identify the German soldier to which it was issued, or to have been applied by a German armorer. There is no evidence that I know of to document this practice (other more knowledgeable forum members may correct me). On the other hand, there are innumerable examples of such writing applied by allied soldiers to captured arms, holsters, etc.

I see from your photos a number 2267 (the 7 does not appear to be crossed in European fashion) but no indication of this being a regimental number. I also see a number 46 followed by what might be "Batt," but this is unclear from the photo (of course this might be more legible in person). If it is indeed "Batt" it could abbreviate "battery" in German or in English, or perhaps "battalion" in English.

If I had this Luger I would also pursue the information written on the stock, but I would direct my efforts to identifying an allied soldier, or in your example, an ANZAC unit. Surely there are Australians with German-sounding names. I am an American but I have a very German name.

Karl

Herbert James Wilkinson 46th Btn No2267
 

Thanks all, H J Wilkinson, enlisted 8/3/16 Kerang Victoria Australia, arrived England late 1916 as part 4th reinforcements 46th Btn, wounded twice then venereal clinic, returned to Australia March 1919. Well done Lifer

German Names on issued equipment
 

Attachment 86201

Attachment 86202

Attachment 86203

These are a few pictures of my Luger Trommel magazine leather holder. It seems to have a name on it
Obh
H Licknow
28 Ab7
A57244

Any thoughts.

Oberhauptmann H. Licknow

Hard to help when you already have preconceived thinking.

If its a WW1 German name, there are some books out there with many names from WW1 ( I don't own any)
If an allied name, then there are about 20 million to look through - a NZ name would be easier for you to track down.

ed

Here is a camo with name and unit~

Art luger but who was it issued to?
 

Thanks this has been a fun topic

Mauser HSC Police Holster

At first I thought Paul was the Veteran that brought it home and the Number was his Service # but had no luck looking it up
Then realized it's just to close to the S/N of the Pistol to be a coincidence

Art Luger Kit but who was it issued to, no, who brought it back to Australia
 

Well it seems I have been barking up the wrong tree as many of you have pointed out, but tomaustin gets the prize, the name is HJ Wilkinson. Herbert James Wilkinson enlisted early 1916 arriving England late 1916 and was taken on strength of the 46th Battalion, 1st AIF. His regimental number matches the number on the shoulder board and it is the 46th Australian Infantry Battalion, not the german 46th Battery. So thanks to all that contributed, I have now downloaded HJW's service record and can look at where he might have picked it up in France (if he didnt purchase or trade it with another digger).

That is fantastic getting to put the name to the piece

Like you said just opens up all kinds of things to research

Congrats!!!

As for the trommel leather. I think it is German. Like Ron said:

Oberhauptmann H. Licknow

I think the the '7' may be a t so: 28 abt?

Do you have a clearer pic of the other number A57244? is there a period before 244?

I can guarantee you that this rig was signed at a much later date than '1917' and not by the armorer or soldier on the day.

mrerick is absolutely correct that there is NO way "military regulations would have permitted or encouraged a soldier to write his name on his issued firearm."

The Luger rig in question was the property of the Kaiser's Imperial Army when 'loaned' to the Imperial soldier to use in combat and serialized for such reasons as accounting for their whereabouts and the person responsible for its care and control.

To sign one's name on government property is tantamount to theft in the eyes of the government and would have brought swift punishment to the offender.

I believe the stock was signed around the end of WW2 or later because of the nature of the ink color and the manner it displays on the wooden stock. It has a smooth even flow indicative of a stub nib fountain pen of the mid 40's to late 60's. By the way the primary ink used in 1917 would be black India ink like on the holster.

Indeed the signature almost looks like a 'Sharpie' signature but the pooled ink pause marks eliminate it being a sharpie or felt pen and most probably a fountain pen with the 'stub' nib.

At the end of the day the gun is still my favorite variety of Luger - the Artillery. And even though the 1917 is the most common Artillery around I would love to add this to my collection, I have 4 already but always room for another Arty.

It's a beautiful rig Telembugrm, you are very lucky to have it. :thumbup:

Remember guys Buy the gun - not the story.