Help on unit mark - "P.W.1633."
 

Greetings, Looking at an Imperial DWM with "P.W.1633" on grip strap. The "P" is worn and could be an "F", but nearly positive it is a "P."

Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

Could be Polizeischule Westfalen or Polizie Wurttemburg, with that ser#, more than likely the later but I'm no expert.

I found a website that claimed this stood for the Police School at Westfalen, so it appears you are on the mark (pun intended). Always looking for further confirmation, however. Thanks for your fast reply. Cheers.

On page 7 of Don Maus book, History Writ in Steel, it reference both as P.W. Don or Ed Tinker would know more.

The book is great to have.

Guess it could be either, but you seem to think the high(er) serial # would indicate a police force rather than a police school?

Yes, I'm going by the recorded lugers and ser# in each chapter for each P.W., Westfalen possibility in Ch 12 and Wurttemberg in CH 16. What year is your DWM?

Double date: 1910/1920 (of course). DWM ser# 5892. Thanks.

Best post a clear photo. On page 186 Don talks about stamping types. In both chapters, none of the recorded lugers go back to a 1910/1920 police. I'm new at this and Don or Ed would know off the top of their heads.

Thanks again. Have not purchased this yet, just bidding in an online auction (ProxiBid.com if you care to view). Will be offline until Tues/Wed. Cheers.

1910/1920 .????

Polizei Wurttemburg or Westfallen.

The number after the unit marking is the weapon number.

Much depends on the exact marking itself, so a picture is needed.

Thanks Gents. If I win this auction - 17 days hence - I will post a photo. Cheers.

Ed is absolutly correct about seeing a picture of the marking to determine its context. It could also indicate the Bavarian Polizeiwehr but a photo will help determine what it means.

As noted on p. 252 of HWIS, inventory numbers larger that about 800 almost certainly indicate Polizei Württemberg; however a photo should clinch it. Also, if the inventory numbers are the same size as the letters, it should be Württemberg.

Does it have a letter suffix to the serial number and does it have a sear or mag safety

I will investigate further. Thanks Gents. Cheers.