Rear-frame Police Numbers Questions
 

The circle-S survey http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=13170 is yielding some interesting results. It prompts a question which has been touched on in any number of discussions, but will be useful to address head-on

What is known about the meaning and purpose of the rear frame numbers stamped on some Police Lugers?

I recall them being mentioned as "rack numbers", but is this all that is known? Can they be identified with any particular Police organization? or are they limited to Police usage? Are they identified in a particular time period? What questions am I failing to ask?

What I am looking for here is no less than a compendium of all that is known about these numbers. Thanks to anyone--everyone--with knowledge on the subject for your participation.

--Dwight

I don't anyone has much more than a guess Dwight, as I have asked the same question a few years ago and received a shrug of the shoulders and WAG they are rack numbers...

Ed

I have no factual basis for calling these "rack numbers", it just seemed logical that if the luger were stored with the rear exposed, that it would make more sense to stamp the units inventory # on the rear, rather than on the front grip strap. TH

Dwight,

I have several in my database where the weapon number on the front grip strap is repeated on the rear frame. Tom Heller's explanation seems logical.

Don,

True enough. The pistols I'm curious about are the guns with just numbers on the rear frame, and nothing on the grip strap.

--Dwight