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Originally Posted by BergThornson
This Luger dose not have any other stamps, Including not having the "GERMANY" stamp on the frame. So its safe to assume that this gun was purchased in Germany itself.
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Commercial Lugers weren't subject to military acceptance markings, and you'll also notice that the matching serialized parts were marked discretely, out of general sight. I think also that the requirement for imported guns to be marked with their country of manufacture for import to the U.S. hadn't kicked in when your pistol was new in ~ 1902. But I forget specifically when it was implemented.
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But now I'm curious why the bottom frame has a " 4 " stamped on the inside of it, right below the barrel. Could this be from a different gun?
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Such marks as this were commonly applied by the technicians of the various operations to keep track of the latter.
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]And another question out of curiosity; how often did German Soldiers and/or did their respective family members buy a pistol for The Great War? (If it did happen)
I know of American Soldiers and Marines themselves when heading overseas. To ensure they at lest had a pistol with them from home.
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The P.08 was the standard issue sidearm for NCOs like sergeants. The myth here is "taking a Luger from the body of a dead officer." IIRC, commissioned officers were commonly charged with procuring their own pistols. Though some probably did buy Lugers, smaller caliber Walthers, Mausers, etc. were easier to carry.