unit marks on gripstrap?
 

Hi to all, I usually don't get to post on this thread, but a gentleman called me today and asked if I could interpret his 1917 DWM grip strap markings, I have no idea...soooo, here goes S.O. 215. That's it?? capitol S. capitol O. 215. can anybody help?? Thanks for all, til...lat'r...GT:jumper::jumper:

Gerald, ask if it's got a sear safety. I do not believe it is an Imperial mark.

Very probably the Weimar-era Schutzpolizei of the Osnabrück district.

Haven't yet seen it...
 

I'm going to get a look'e'see at it next week, I'll post pictures and that will help.. I asked and he doesn't remember seeing any sear or mag safeties.. we'll see... Best to all, til...lat'r...GT

DWM 1917 police, here are the pics... sideplate and grips are not original to the unit.. all else is really nice... what do you gripstrap guys think?? best to all, til...lat'r...GT

Sheriff's Office, extension 215. Just kidding, I have no idea. :cheers:

Mike

Hi Mike!
 

Hi Mike! That's as good a guess as any! Down here, might even be closer then you think!...:).. Best to you, til..lat'r...GT

Since I know nothing about Lugers, perhaps you can help me here...How do you know it is a police??? I don't see any evidence of sear or mag safeties (I thought maybe there was a filled-in slot in the side cover, but under lightening/magnification it's just a scratch)...

What makes it a police (besides whatever that stamping is)??? :confused:

This is a very interesting Luger with a very rare Schutzpolizei marking. The marking is definitely from the barracked Schupo Bereitschaft stationed at Osnabrück. This militarized unit contained only 267 men (HWIS p. 135) which is consistent with the weapon number 215. Understandably, very few of these markings exist. The fact that it has no sear or mag safeties is entirely consistent with the type of Schupo unit to which it was issued. It very probably was transferred to the Landespolizei and on to the military in 1934-36.

The pistol originally was an LP08 which was reworked sometime between 1927 and 1935 by the arsenal of the Polizeischule für Technik und Verkehr as evidenced by the PTV/eagle proof on the right side of the barrel. The barrel bears an eagle/33 acceptance associated with Simson and the number 4. These stamps strongly suggest the barrel was manufactured by Simson in 1924, purchased by the PTV and used by them to rework this pistol.

G.T., do you know the letter suffix of this pistol for my database? I would also greatly appreciate permission from you or the owner of the gun (whoever took the photo) to use the photo of the grip strap in a future publication.

PTV proof
 

Hi Rich, and Thank you very much Don, The only way I knew it was some type of police was the PTV proof on the barrel... I sent you a private message Don, Thanks again and best to you, til...lat'r...GT:jumper:

lower case "e"??
 

Hi Don, he believes it's a lower case "e", hopefully, I'll be able to taks another pic or two for you in the near future.. kinda in his ballpark right now... :)...best to all, til...lat'r....GT