1915 DWM Imperial Artillary w/ Death's Head
 

I am new user and posted this gun in other categories of the forum. I have received alot of usefull information and found out that this actually is a reworked artillary piece, so I thought I'd put a few pics here in this section to share. Thanks,

Kevin

more pics

totenkoph

unit markings

pic of notch re artillary

DWM

The only parts that don't match are the barrel and the clip.

The PO8 shown has definately been reworked at sometime and I would bet that the "death head" is a later addition. I know of a couple of these repro dies in circulation and in use today. TH

The "death head" looks good to me although all the good ones I have seen have been on 1917/1918 dated Lugers. As always this Luger needs a hands on inspection to determine what it really is.

The totekopf stamp does appear to have a halo... but as tenbears says, it requires a hands on inspection to determine if it has been added to increase it's value. Personally I am only interested in the real history of such a mark... and as yet, we have no documented evidence of why it was used.

John:

I agree with you and am extremely interested in the history and purpose of these marks. I had found interesting forums and discussions on luger.gunboards.com re the totenkoph and was made aware of Klaus Shad and his research on the same. Jan Still did send pics of this luger to Klaus Shad and his opinion was that it did appear stamped and was like many unit marked totenkophs he has inspected. I understand his opinions are highly valued.

I know this is on no "concrete" evidence but my grandfather chose to keep this particular luger over others that he collected during the war while on the front lines, because of the death's head and date on the same. So I know that it did atleast come back from the war with this mark on it. I believe it is an authentic mark and am just enjoying sharing the gun and hearing the comments.

thanks,
Kevin

Kevin, I know this is on no "concrete" evidence but my grandfather chose to keep this particular luger over others that he collected during the war while on the front lines, because of the death's head and date on the same. So I know that it did atleast come back from the war with this mark on it. I believe it is an authentic mark and am just enjoying sharing the gun and hearing the comments.


You have the right attitude...There are many well meaning people on these Forums who proclaim items fake or not right. Why? Might be the safe comment..

This DH looks right to me, a student novice. I recently saw two of them at the Phoenix gun show that WERE fake! So Luger Doc is right. Fakes are rampant.
Just enjoy what you know and have.
Jerry Burney

Thanks Jerry

Somehow, somewhere, I thought that I read that the "Deaths Head" was for flame throwers near the end of WW1. Although, I thought that I saw it in a picture on the side of tanks also during that war. Terrifying weapon that flame thrower that was in use near the end of the war.
Big Norm

Yes, i too have been told that the lazy S above the skull is a symbol for the flame throwing units, as the lazy S symbolizes the sweeping motion made by the flame thrower. I wish that Klaus Schad would publish his research on the topic soon.

Does anyone know if there were any flame throwing units serving in the 127th Regiment, 5th company...as per the unit markings on the grip of this pistol?