DWM chamber marked 1918
 

DWM 1918 ser# 6265a. front grip strap marked "169.R.5.51.". Any ideas on translation? Thanks pistol does not have a sear safety,

Rich,

First of all welcome to this forum, then I think that would be interesting to see some close and detailed pictures of your gun.

Mach2+, Your grip strap marking is military, not police which would normally have the sear safety added. 169th Infantry Regiment, 5th Company, gun inventory #51. TH

Many thanks for the rapid replies, Gents. I will work on some photos. Happy Memorial Day and Semper Fi!

Rich:

Assuming your DWM 1918 Luger is marked to the 169th Infantry Regiment (pictures of the Luger and its markings are always the best confirmation), it has an interesting battle history. This regiment was initially assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, a Baden Division, and remained with the 29th all of 1914 and into 1915. As part of the 29th, your regiment fought in Alsace-Lorraine, Artois and Champagne. The 29th Infantry Division was considered a rated to be a good division by British Intelligence in 1917.

In March, 1915, the 52nd Infantry Division was formed, another division from the Grand Duchy of Baden. Your regiment was assigned to 52nd on this date and remained with this division for the duration of WWI. The 52nd fought in the battles of Artois in April of 1915. During 1916, it fought in the Somme, Alsace, Aisne, Californie Plateau and Champagne. During 1918, the 52nd began fighting in Champagne and then in Picardy, Aisne, Lens, Armentieres, Bapume, and ended the war fighting in the Argonne area.

"The 52d is rated as one of the best German divisions. It was in a great deal of heavy fighting during 1918 (as in producing years) and acquitted itself most creditably."

The above quote, as well as the previous battle history of the 169th Infantry Regiment came from the book entitled, "Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army Which Participated in the War (1914-1918)" First published in 1920 by the United States War Office as War Department Document No. 905.

Congrats Rich, you have a wonderful piece of Living History!!

Ron

Fascinating information. Your research efforts are much appreciated. Thanks again, Rich V.

Another one of this regiment.

Here are some (amateur) photos:

In certain light and without magnification, that last "3" looks just like a "5".

Thanks, Klaus, Regards from Texas.

The original weapon number was scratched out and a new number, with much larger font was added above the original number. Any number of reasons why this may have happened, but it looks like a period modification.

If you don't already know any dated 1918 Luger is considered rare. You seldom encounter anything unit marked after 1916. I have a S9805 dated 1917 bayonet that is unit marked and that's it for post 1916 unit marks in my collection.

Take a closer look and you will see what really happened... :confused:

The unit armorer who put the unit mark on this pistol accidently stamped the "3" upside down... and then corrected his mistake and overstamped the digit with the "3" correctly oriented...:eek:

I concur... I see no foul or attempt to deceive in this "oops".

Enclosed is a picture of a MG unit marked S9805 bayonet with the K struck backwards so it does happen.

Gentlemen, I certainly appreciate the truly fascinating information about my Luger (my first). Thanks again to all of you for your input! Rich V I suppose that in light of Tenbears information I won't be taking it to the range!

"The unit armorer who put the unit mark on this pistol accidently stamped the "3" upside down... and then corrected his mistake and overstamped the digit with the "3" correctly oriented..."

John

Congratulations I think you really hit the mark again!

Sergio

The Infantry Regiment 169 was stationed in Lahr/ Baden. It was part of the 52. Army Corps and saw action in 1918 during the great battle of France- the last offensive of the German Army. Since 1914 was this battle the first for the German Army with great win of terrain.
After the great battle came Flanders for the regiment.
I visited all of the battle places- Flanders seems to have been the hardest of all battle fields to me.

I have an artillery from the 169th Baden and researched its' history~Eric http://www.pals.org.uk/ir169_e1.htm