Lugers and Medical Personel
 

In the German Army and Waffen SS, the basic document that dictated who was authorized a pistol was the Kreigsstaerkenachweisung (KStN), or in English, the War Strength Record. The KStN had a number, date, and it specified the type & title of the unit. It mandated who was authorized a specific type weapon.


In 1941, the Field Army Command and higher was authorized 72 pistols, 3 in the command group, 21 in the leader & organization section, 28 in the quartermaster section, 20 in the adjutants office. In the quartemasters section it was broken down into; motor transportation, adminsitrative (this is where the medical leader, medical officers, pharmacist, veterinary personel, etc were authorized pistols). The Staff medical sergent was issued a pistol under the adjutant's office.


All the information is included in Whittington's vol 4 of "German Pistols and Holsters". As the war progressed, the KStN was changed and upgraded, but the medical corp did have specified personel that carried handguns. Remember that in the rear areas, there was a threat of partisan activity!


Mavin