Unit Markings on 1917 Navy
 

I have a 1917 Navy with unit markings on the back strap.

SWII the II looks like a Roman numeral 2, with 57 underneath the SWII. With so much expertise on this message board, I thought someone could give me a hint, I would appreciate the help.

You have come to the right place Wolfgang
 

Welcome to the Luger safe house. How about taking the link at the top of the main discussion board page and create a profile for yourself. This will insure that no one can post under your name, and we would love to know more about you. Read some of the existing profiles to get an idea about what to put there...


Navy Lugers are not my specialty (though I have always wanted one) but someone here will come to your rescue...


Got a story to go with your Navy? Was it inherited, or did you buy it?


-John

Re: You have come to the right place Wolfgang
 

Hello John,


I posted a bit of my bio as you suggested. Probably told you more than you wanted to know.


Best Regards,


Wolfgang

Welcome to the Luger Forum Wolfgang...
 

I read you profile.. very interesting, you'll be a welcome addition to the group.


Dok (Webmaster)

Re: Welcome to the Luger Forum Wolfgang...
 

Hello DOK,


Thanks for the welcome and it is good to get to know the Web Tyrant.


Wolfgang

WEB TYRANNT!!!! ... AARRGGHH!!!
 

my reputation precedes me!!!! :(">

Re: Welcome to the Luger Forum Wolfgang...
 

Welcome Wolfgang! Welcome INDEED! Ted

Re: Welcome to the Luger Forum Wolfgang...
 

Ditto to what Dok and Ted said! (Hey, that rhymed.) That's a heck of a profile Wolfgang! Welcome!

Re: Unit Markings on 1917 Navy
 

Wolf, Jan Still's "The Pistols of Germany & it's allies in two world wars" page 93 shows your SW II as an unknown marking and Joachim Gortz's "The Navy Luger" doesn't show it either. Is it possible that some of your German navy archives may refer to any Naval units stationed in the colony (prior and during WW1) of South West Africa? Please let us know if your find any documentation.

Re: Unit Markings on 1917 Navy
 

Hello Tom,

I have Joachim Gortz's book "The Navy Luger" and you are correct. I could not find the SWII marking in it. I am going to order Jan Still's "The Pistols of Germany and ....." today. Learning from books is only a portion of understanding the Luger history and mystic. Collectively, all of you have the major portion of knowledge that I find helpfull trying to partake in the complex world of Luger collecting. I believe your Colonies approach is a great idea. I will follow that thought. I will keep you posted.


A thank you to you Tom H, John S, Rick K, Ted, and Dok for your warm messages of welcome to the Lugerforum.


Best Regards, Wolfgang

Re: Unit Markings on 1917 Navy
 

Costanza, page 395, list of unit markings on backstraps of 1917 models, lists SW II 272 on pistol #1005a, but gives no other information.

Re: Unit Markings on 1917 Navy
 

Hello Hugh,

Thank you so much for the info. Please tell me about Costanza, Author? Book Title ? in print ? Sounds like a book that I would like to have.


Regards, Wolfgang

Constanza book
 

Wolfgang,


The book is "World of Lugers Proof Marks" by Sam Costanzo published by him in 1977. Great referance book, but it is out of print, and if you find one expect to pay around $250. They can occasionally be found on ebay, where I got mine.

Re: Constanza book
 

Hugh,


I am now discovering another facet of the Luger World, book collecting. Where does it end. I hope to find one. I do not suppose you want to sell yours, my attempt at levity.


Thank you very much, Wolfgang