Long Serving Luger
 

Here is a recent acquisition, and a Luger that was in service for a long time.

It entered service in Imperial Germany in 1918, indicated by the chamber date. Looks to have originally been an Artillery variation.

Was retained for service by the Weimar Republic, as shown by the 1920 property marking.

Re-barreled in the 1930s, by Mauser as indicated by the HZ barrel extension stamp and the S/42 barrel stamp.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/28e5ruu3f...6i23X_2ra?dl=0

I have a similar 1917 with the 1920 property stamp, and it also was originally an Artillery Luger. Re-barreled at least by the Nazis, probably for the police since it arrived with a holster converted to police style closure...

ithacaartist,

Thank you for your reply and for sharing info on your similar 1917.

I'm sure there are many Imperial Lugers that continued in service into and through the Third Reich. But it is (IME) unusual to find one such where the continued service is documented by the pistol's own markings.

Neat stuff!

The S/42 does indicate a Mauser made spare barrel, but the HZa "says" it was re-barreled by the military at HZa location "3"- not by Mauser.

Someone had posted a list of these HZa locations, and IIRC it is in one of the books, but which one escapes me- CRS strikes again.

OK...

Delete "Re-barreled in the 1930s, by Mauser as indicated by the HZ barrel extension stamp and the S/42 barrel stamp."

And substitute "Re-barreled in the 1930s at Germany military facility with a Mauser supplied barrel, as indicated by the HZ barrel extension stamp and the S/42 barrel stamp."

Better?

Re HZa locations, Walter has some info but remarks, IIRC, that all years and sites are unknown. Costanzo also has some information.