[Ron Smith]

Response to John's request for details~

A few months ago I was checking the on-line dealers sites for unit marked lugers. I came across this Luger on Randy Bessler's site. I was told by another forum member that it, the badge and holster had been offered at the previous RIA auction and had drawn little interest. Evidently Randy won it at the auction.

He had it posted as having an unusual "Double Arrow" marking. And was also asking for information as to the markings meaning. Being a life long WWI/WWII history and military addict. I recalled the marking as being seen on either a German armored vehicle or aircraft, but wasn't sure.



I researched it for nearly a month. And inquired on several German Militaria collectors forums. Finally a member of one of these forums directed me to a post about a "Fieseler" marked police/fire helmet with the same 'Lazy F" mark. I immediately contacted Randy and negotiated a deal, and aquired the set.

At first the reaction from the majority of the collector community was that it was most likely a boosted 1923 commercial Luger. The proofs were in doubt, etc. The only truly positive support came from Joop van de Kant who helped me research it further. Without Joop's help I would have given up on it as being what it was suspected to be , a fake.

Shortly there after, I received an e-mail from a gentleman in Michigan who has one of the world's largest collections of Fieseler items, literally thousands of items, and is in constant contact with the Fieseler Society and collectors fraternity in Germany. He knows nothing of guns, but wanted it for his collection. He in turn has sent photos and numerous inquiries to Germany about the pistol. It has been authenticated by the Director of the Fieseler Society through interviews with former employees of the company.

I have sent requested high resolution photos to the Society for presentation in a documentary film being made about the Fieseler Company.

I have also promised the collector first chance at it, should I ever decide to sell it. He keeps sending me offers via e-mail.

There's the story, as briefly as I can present it.

BTW, Fieseler also designed , built and supplied the F-103 more infamously known as the V-1 "Buzz Bomb". They had 3 facilities (two of which were captured by the Russians? The third was bombed to oblivion by the U.S and British) with approximately 10-12 "Werkschutz" Guards per facility. This could be the only surviving example.

Also, I am told that only Officers/Supervisors had removable pin- back badges (pictured) , the guards had cloth patches sewn onto their uniforms.