I noticed this luger all by itself in a case with some "soft" goods, like canvas gear, at SOS. Turns out it was a "bring back" and for sale, painted so priced like a shooter. I was going to pick it up for a shooter for a buddy.
When I gave it a closer look at the table; it is an all matching 1917 DWM, except the magazine and no numbers on the beech grips. It is late for a unit marking, but it is marked
"1. M.G.K. : 8. " on the front strap. It also has London proof house reproving marks from before WWII, according to what I've found on British proofs.
Update: may be from 1955, post war.
The finish is typical British black paint or "Suncorite" which a baked on low gloss enamel, applied over a phosphated base. The moving and close fitting parts, like the toggle, sear bar, trigger, takedown lever, and mag release are still strawed.
I believe it may be a WWI "bringback" by a Tommy to the UK, and then refinished and perhaps issued to the Home Guard in the lead up to WWII. The London proofs are stamped through the Suncorite, and may have been added at that time.
So, with all that history and since I didn't have a British proofed luger, nor a Suncorite finished one, and it was unit marked, and matching- I had to keep it. Sorry Bill.
Have a look at what the pictures may show. Ideas and comments welcome.
