Unit mark on trigger guard
 

Hi all. First post, and new to forum, looks like a very, very informative place to come!
I have recently found a new to me Luger I would like to find some info on. From what I can tell, it was issued to a MG crew, but thats amounts to all I know. Is there a book, or internet resource (or knowledgeable person here) that I can be pointed to for any and all info on it?
What I have is a 1916 DWM Luger, s/no 4778 (F suffix on frame I think) with the unit marks on the trigger guard. LJR.K.W.II.N.2.1.MGK.N.45. Is how I read it
Pictures attached for discussion

Hello Matthew, and welcome to the forum.

I have not seen a unit mark applied to that location before, but since they were often applied at unit level there is a wide variety of locations possible.

The book "History Writ in Steel" covers police unit marks.

The author Don Maus, George Anderson and other experts on Imperial Unit Marking like Klaus frequent this board, and will likely follow with details.

Wow! That is certainly a non-standard location for a unit marking and I suspect it is also a non-standard (i.e. not in accordance with marking directives) marking. I am going to take a stab at it. I think it might be a honorary unit designation and I think it might be:

Landwehr Infanterie Regiment Kaiser (König?) Wilhelm II Nr. 2, 1st Maschinen Gewehr Kompagnie, Waffen Nr. 45.

Now let's see what someone that knows what they are talking about says it is! ;)

Matt, I think Ron has hit the nail on the head deciphering the mark. All I can add is I recall seeing another marked in this location several years ago. By 1916, unit marking had been discontinued for the most part. You have a very cool luger there, congrats. John

Thank you all very much that was what I was looking for! Especially you Ron. I now have some reading to do.
Sounds like it's a pretty special peice. Very happy with my purchase

Hi all, now I know what I'm looking for, here is another.
http://gmic.co.uk/topic/37383-2nd-la...ig-wilhelm-ii/

I don't think it is police.

It isn't
Ron

Yes, I'm thinking they removed the trigger and inserted something like a wooden dowel before stamping.

Very interesting unit mark.

Imagine the hours it took to hand stamp, one letter at a time, all those pistols.