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Bernard · 12-17-2002, 07:50 PM

My two cents on this pistol -

Up until WWI, officers purchased their own gear, including sidearms. Since this is a 1913 pistol, we are looking at a pre-WWI piece. I had read (can't remember the source) that officers on active duty, including reserve duty, could purchase 'military' pistols through the supply chain instead of 'commercial' pistols at the local gun shop. This would make standardization of arms and ammo less of a problem for the army.

With the start of hostilities, all military arms production went to the War Department; military pistols were probably no longer available for private purchase and the commercial supply dried up. From this time on, arms were issued as required. I cannot imagine even the German army turning down an officer applicant for lack of a personal sidearm when they were hard to come by.

The engraving style is of the 1900 - 1920 or so style, but "could" have been done after WWI and through WWII, but that is highly doubtful. The army certainly did not permit the marking of army property and we have not seen many, if any, government property arms with personal identification markings.

It also does not appear to be a presentation piece. The Germans could not be that brief - there would be some flowery language describing the reason, occasion, etc.

So, all in all, i believe it was a personal pistol engraved with the owner's name and unit at the time or shortly after purchase in the 1913 - 1914 time period.

Just my humble opinion.

12-17-2002, 07:50 PM	#22
Bernard User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My two cents on this pistol - Up until WWI, officers purchased their own gear, including sidearms. Since this is a 1913 pistol, we are looking at a pre-WWI piece. I had read (can't remember the source) that officers on active duty, including reserve duty, could purchase 'military' pistols through the supply chain instead of 'commercial' pistols at the local gun shop. This would make standardization of arms and ammo less of a problem for the army. With the start of hostilities, all military arms production went to the War Department; military pistols were probably no longer available for private purchase and the commercial supply dried up. From this time on, arms were issued as required. I cannot imagine even the German army turning down an officer applicant for lack of a personal sidearm when they were hard to come by. The engraving style is of the 1900 - 1920 or so style, but "could" have been done after WWI and through WWII, but that is highly doubtful. The army certainly did not permit the marking of army property and we have not seen many, if any, government property arms with personal identification markings. It also does not appear to be a presentation piece. The Germans could not be that brief - there would be some flowery language describing the reason, occasion, etc. So, all in all, i believe it was a personal pistol engraved with the owner's name and unit at the time or shortly after purchase in the 1913 - 1914 time period. Just my humble opinion.