Unit marking over Chamber
 

Fellow Forum members,
Please take a look at this Luger being offered for sale at Simpson Ltd. The chamber has what appears to be regiment markings over the date. I called Simpsons' and asked a few questions about the Luger. One question was if the grip straps were also marked. They are not. I also asked if the markings looked legit and the answer was yes. I already own one Luger with similar chamber markings and I am considering buying this one. But before I do so, I would like some input on what the markings are all about.
Thanks,
Mike

Here is a link to that Luger:
http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=2168

Hi Mike, although I have no idea what the marks mean, these stamps look legitimate to me IMHO.

I will let one of the guys who has earnestly studied unit markings comment on what they stand for...

To me a "V" designation might indicate "Versuch", but what they would be testing in 1915 I have no idea.

Is it just photo effects, or is there something odd with the "5" in the 1915 chamber date...???...

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...ns_v_stamp.jpg

I think it is just the quality of the photo image Pete... the date stamp looks okay to me.

I have done pretty extensive research on this V and had some help from a European collector.
To me a "V" designation might indicate "Versuch", but what they would be testing in 1915 I have no idea.
I believe Ron is correct. This is exactly what it means to the best of my knowledge. I have a beautifull 1917 Imperial Navy with the large V ans some smaller numbers.
My european research indicates some Lugers were tested for the conversion from the truncated bullet to the ogive because of the World opinion that the truncated bullet was a Dum Dum type.
Perhaps this reason and several more lost to history.
Jerry Burney