Interesting Arty Came Across my Desk Today...
 

Sorry for not being able to upload these pictures into the forum archive. They were slow to load and I got repeated "Websight Cannot Display this Image" once the file was completed...

1917 Run of the mill DWM... About 90% bluing, 40% straw. All matching except Mag and firing pin and excellent bore...

Note the "D.R." over winged wheel in circle on grip panel. Came with 1917 dated black holster which did not appear to be recolored and appears original.

An 84 year old gentleman brought this in today. He purchased it about 40 years ago along with an all matching (except mag) 1936 Mauser P08 @ about 95% blue and 20% straw with a frosted bore..

What is the marking on the grip and what is the mag unit ID? (L.P.Th.).

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00329.jpg

Direct links to the rest of the photos here:
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00330.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00333.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00338.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00340.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00341.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00342.jpg

what may appear to be frosting or rust to the finish is grease.

1917
 

This looks very nice to a newbie. What would a piece like this fetch in todays market? -Barry

I am shooting from the hip here, but I think the DR marking may be Deutches Reichsbahn, a railroad security piece. The magazine marking is Landespolizei Thuringen (sp?) and doesn't belong with the gun.
I would be interested in the holster if it comes up for sale.
Thanks,
Ron

The individual that brought the guns in today reported that he'd bought them from a neighbor that had gotten into financial difficulty in the 1960's and that this neighbor had brought them home at the end of WWII. Pressed for further information the gentlemen with the pieces doesn't recall his name, what unit he was in or any further details on the pieces.

I believe Ron is correct, Deutches Reichsbahn. I saw another with this grip marking several years ago.

Agree with George and Ron. I once owned a 1914 DWM with the same grip marking and George Wheeler confirmed that it was a Reichsbahn stamp.
Lyn

Were they all Artilleries? John

No, the other one I saw was a 1908 pattern with 4" barrel.

My 1914 had a 4" barrel.
Lyn

Thanks for reply, I have never seen one. John