Markings on 1916/1920 DWM
 

Hi All:

Can anyone shed some light on the following markings on the front grip strap of a 1916/1920 DWM in 9mm?

P.H.10.37.

The markings (block lettering) appear to have been stamped/punched into the frame a long time ago; patina has long since formed uniformly over the grip strap. Nothing else discernibly different or remarkable about this luger. No other unusual proof marks; no heroic stories about it being taken from a dead soldier by a relative, etc.

As always, insight is appreciated.

Your marking appears to be for the Polizeischule Hannover if the pistol is a police pistol. If it is a police pistol it should have a sear safety on the left side. A photograph or two would help identify it precisely.

Thanks for the insight. No sear safety present and no evidence of ever having had a sear safety installed.

This marking is from the Ordnungspolizei of Hamburg. See HWIS Chapter 17. Another 1916/1920 DWM marked P.H.10.39. is listed in Table17-5 of HWIS. This pistol has a Schmidt rather than Schiwy safety. Photos would be helpful to determine if yours also has an extremely rare Schmidt safety.

Are there any other unit markings?

May I know the serial number and suffix of your gun for my database?

Sorry, no pics right now - technical difficulties (e.g., discharged camera battery) at this end.

Since you have drawn my attention to it, the sear bar does look to be different from every other luger against which I compare it. Namely, the upward-angled portion of the sear bar is immediately adjacent to the safety bar when the safety lever is moved to "gesichert." On every other luger against which I compare it, there is a space or gap between the safety lever and the corresponding section of the sear bar.

Sounds like this may have a Schmidt safety? (yes, I know, pictures would help confirm)

Hi Andrew, It sounds like your gun is an early 1916 DWM, these had unrelieved sear bars, Later in 1916, and from then onwards, sear bars were relieved (shortened).
Regards, Norm

Please see this thread regarding the gun I referenced from HWIS: http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...Schmidt+safety. Unfortunately, the photos are no longer available --- I'm not sure I would recognize a Schmidt safety if it bit me! I hope Tony S. sees this and comments.

Note that the referenced thread predates my research leading to the conclusion that these P.H. markings are from Hamburg.

Also the lack of a Schiwy safety on your gun is consistent with its issue to the Wachtbereitschaften of the Hamburg Ordnungspolizei. These were militarized police units that were exempted from the 1933 order to install sear and mag safeties.

Hi Norme:

My DWM looks to be of the unrelieved sear bar configuration (like your first pic). Is the unrelieved sear bar only associated with DWM? Will have to go find an early Erfurt....

The camera has given up the ghost.

Andrew, a brief description of the Schmidt safety is provided in the second paragraph p. 1127 of Görtz & Sturgess' The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols (Simpson edition), to wit: "[a] lengthened sear bar plunger, which engaged the front of the sear bar slot of the receiver when the side plate was removed, locking the sear....." Unfortunately, there is no illustration provided but perhaps you can inspect your pistol for this feature.

Knowing the serial number and suffix of your gun would still be helpful.

Hi Andrew, Relieved sear bars were fitted by Erfurt at about the same time.
Regards, Norm

Hi all. It has been a while. Thanks Don for making me aware of this post. I am including pics of my Schmidt sear safety prototype for your review.
Take care, Tony

Tony, thank you very much for posting photos of your prototype Schmidt sear safety.

Andrew, does your gun look like this?

Sorry guys, been gone a bit. Negative...my DWM does not have the rare, elusive Schmidt safety. However, I still am a little more enlightened knowing the nature of the grip strap marking. Thanks to all.

Andrew, may I know the serial number and suffix of your pistol for my database?