Finnish M23 Luger unit marking
 

I have a Finnish M23 Luger (serial # 82XX m) that has a unit marking on the backstrap. It reads: "KKE/E.22" The last "2" is very faint and I didn't see it until I looked at the photo. The pistol has mismatched part numbers and is import marked. I'm not sure if the barrel is original to the gun as the barrel has no markings (besides the import mark). However, the index mark of the barrel and upper line up, it is in the original .30 Luger caliber, and it has the German style front sight blade.

I found another gents Finnish Luger that has a similar unit marking here: http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...-unit-markings

Is anyone able to shed some light on the meaning of this unit marking?

Here are pics of mine:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psea5eba52.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ps028cd850.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g2...pseea1c1c9.jpg

Kke/e.22
 

Hello.

I did a search in an archive and this is not a finnish code for any SA troop.
Some P08 pistols were "brought back" by the finnish jaegers that served in the Imperial German army during the WWI. So this could be a german marking.

:confused:

jussi, that would be a possibility except that this pistol was manufactured after WWI (sometime in the mid to late 1920's).

I came across as old post which said:


"I have looked thru my books of pre-WWII Finnish units. My oppinion is:

KKE = Karjalan Kaartin Esikunta N.66 = Numero 66.

Same in English: Staff of Karelia Guard number 66.

This Unit was part of 2nd Division in 1937."

Link: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...hlight=finnish


This is the only bit of info I have found on this unit marking. What do you guys think?

Oh yes!

I checked the wartime records! I must be getting old... That 1937 info must be correct. :rockon:

But what is /E.2? Staff pistol number 2 possibly.

jussi

Thanks jussi!