Help with unit marks
 

I have the chance of purchasing quite a nice 1917 DWM Artillery which is complete with board stock, holster,tool, mag pouch,cleaning rod.
The back grip strap is unit marked JR 448 9K and the holster is made by Max Reuser Stalluonen 1916 and is stamped BAX VII.
Can any one help with the unit marks for the gun which I interpret as Infantry Regiment No 448 , 9th company staff. I have never seen a unit mark on the back grip strap before, has anyone seen similar and the holster BAX VII, I have no idea.
This gun is a WW1 souvenir and has papers but nothing on the unit marks.
Help please,
Murray,

<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> G'day!Murray,

One of our most recent and prestigious members seems to have a wealth of information about unit markings... Jan C. Still.

Perhaps he will chime in here and provide what you are asking...

I'll give it a shot, Infantry Regiment 448, Company 9. The holster is actually marked BA XVII and is the 1914 thru 1918 Battalion marking found on WWI hosters. This one is the 17th Battalion.

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
Thanks Guys,
I had a feeling that it looked OK, and I did'nt think to put the holster mark in the correct format Herb. John, this is what makes this forum just so great to be able to discuss things with real informed and sensible people.
So! OK off I shall go to buy. I will send you a photo of my shopping basket tonight. It's 7.45am Saturday morning here and very cold (winter)
Regards,
Murray.

Murray
J.R.448.9.K signifies Infantry Regiment 448, 9 Kompagnie which was part of the 233 and 107 ID during WWI.

The BA XVII signifies the 17 th Army Corps, which two of the regiments in the 233ID are from. What this indicates is that, in a round about way, the holster is related to the Luger.

The 233 ID battled in Flanders, Lorraine, Kemmel and the Somme during WWI.
Jan

I think these unit marking Lugers are fascinating!!! I am so glad we have an expert like Jan Still to help us learn about them! <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

John Sabato
I mistakenly placed my last two postings in this section when I intended to place them in the Unit Markings Section. Can they be moved.
Jan

Many thanks Jan,
I managed to purchase the gun (in an auction) today and have just got back from the auction.
The auctioneer read out the history of the gun before bidding started as follows;
Captured on the Somme by Trooper John Morton
Enlisted number 9/308 Otago Mounted Rifles (New Zealand infantry division)Enlisted 16 August 1914
Served in Egypt 1914,1915,1916
Served in the Balkans 1915, Gallipoli,Mudros
Served in Western Europe 1916,1917,1918 at Flanders,Somme,Etaples,Abule
Discharged 6th June 1919.
What an amazing piece of New Zealand War history and I am so honoured to own it.
It is complete with board stock, holster, stripping tool, cleaning rod (all imperial proof) and snail drum magazine.
Jan, I really apreciate the time you have taken to provide me with the remainder of the history of this wounderful Luger.
Many thanks to you all
Murray,
P.S. I got two other WW1 DWM's as well!
Later this evening I will post a photo of my shopping basket which was very full.

Murry
Most artillery Luger rigs were put together by collectors long after the end of the war.

I am looking forward to the photographs of your rig. It must have been together from the time it was issued to the German soldier in the 448 IR. Likely he lost it at the third battle of the Somme, during the British attack of August 1918, to New Zeland Trooper John Morton. What a piece of history! A real collectors prize.
Jan

Good job Murray!
What an absolutely facinating piece of history.

My book The Imperial German Regimental Marking will solve most of your Regimental Marking translation questions. Take a look at my web site http://home.earthlink.net/~nopubl . The book also contains about 500 lugers with their Regimental Markings and translations. w/r Jeff Noll

Jan C. Still,

I am sorry but I only have the ability to move the entire topic. The only option that I have with individual posts is to edit them or delete them. Please copy your posts individually to the correct forum and when you have done so, if you let me know I will delete the mistaken posts here.

thanks,