Unit markings question - WW1 era gun
 

So not too long ago I posted about a Military First Issue I have, which is WW1 German unit marked.

In thinking through what path the gun might have taken after WW1 ended, can I assume with at least a fair degree of certainty, that since the gun is not marked or stamped or dated with anything post-WW1 for markings, that it probably WAS in fact a WW1 bring-back souvenir?

I guess what i am getting at, is that if it were Police or Army or Weimer used and issued, it would be so marked in at least some fashion, to indicate that, correct?

Thanks!

sorry, no, not really.. but...

lots of guns weren't marked and lots of WW1 guns were refurbished (or not) and sold on the USA market. Technically supposed to get a Germany stamp, but...

Also, GI's were there in the 1019-1925 time frame - technically a bring back - then many guns survived just fine without any other stamps or replacement mags or police adaptations.

I would say that your odds are better at it being a WW1 bring back with no additional markings than not, but...

ed

I have a 1908 first issue military with an Imperial unit mark and US post WWII bring back papers. It has no Reichswehr or Third Reich markings.

Great information gents, thanks for posting and letting me know that. I sure wish the thing could talk. Through researching the unit marks I was able to get a good idea on its possible WW1 history, I was surprised at how much was on the web about units of the German Army then.

I guess tho, that it’s post-WW1 life will have to remain a mystery, and may include post-WW1 German Service too then.

I too have a WW1 1910 unit marked pistol with a 1916 dated holster that was brought back from a WW2 vet. I have no bring back papers but it was purchased from a family friend and I know the bringback story is true.

I suspect that there were many WWI Lugers that also served in WWII as personal weapons. Like Wayne (wayne8661) I also have a 1912 marked to the Bavarian 4th Infantry Division that was captured at Bastogne in WWII but no bring back papers...however it came from a very close friend whose father captured it and I have absolutely no reason to doubt its provenance.
Ron

I agree with Ron. I have a 1908 Commercial with WW2 capture papers. I suppose a lot of WW1 era weapons made it through WW2. Why not if they were still functional.