[RockinWR]

Hi Jon !!
Hi WadeN,
* Let me make sure Jon's history thesis gets a "A". This example likely served in both Wars & the Weimar period in between.
* As you know, Originally, a WWI production by DWM in 1918 for the Imperial German Army. Jan Still, in his book Imperial Lugers estimates 118,000 were made before the Nov.11,1918 Armistice. No one quite sure if DWM continued, for a short period, to assemble remaining parts at the Berlin plant after the Armistice; but, their Military customer didn't seem to need them anymore with all the battlefield surplus around.
* Pistols were issued with two, Matching numbered, "bright" tin colored, mag tubes with wood base plugs.
* Your example is S/N 4763 "a" suffix or the 14,763rd made in 1918. Approximate DoMfg=Feb.10,1918 give or take. Probably earlier as a big push to arm the Army for the final battles of WWI is generally accepted.
* Treaty of Versailles accepted by the Weimar Assembly (New German Republic) on 6/22/1919 & signed in Paris on June 28,1919. By Versailles IMKK documents, the Army limited to 100,000, Navy to 15,000, & Police allowed to their preWar contingent of 150,000 men. Rebellion, chaos and marshall law prevalent.
* On 7 August, 1920, a new law "On the Disarming of the People" was published. Gun Control before Hitler. A "1920" Reichwehr stamp was used to indicate Army Property during the civilian grace period. Must have had a bunch of Ex-Military/Hunters as the turn-in/crush Program wasn't very successful.
* Per J. Still, in his Vol.V entitled Weimar Lugers states: "Double Date Lugers went to the Weimar Military or Police and some bear Army, Navy, or Police markings. Est. Qty. = 43,000". Lets say yours went to a Policeman. No way to know for sure on the info we have so far; but, the sear safety is definately later Police.
* 1925 - decree wood base plug mags would cease to be issued and would be replaced by the Al. metal base plug as the wood ones were used up. (See earlier post).
* Late 20's: The Allies are losing interest in the affairs of Germany. The old Imperial guard, who felt they were sold out by the politicians in 1918, begin to secretly re-arm. Police were an excellent, politically acceptable force to enact re-arming. This example goes in for re-furbishment to a Police arsenal or the only IMKK approved refurb Mfg. - Simson. "Stark" mag, reputed to have been Mfgd. 1923-1935, is substituted for the prior WWI wood bottom mag(s) & numbered to this example. John Walter, in his book, The Luger Book cites Costanzo's WOL1 reference; but, concludes as the previous post, above, that "Stark" means strong and was actually mfgd. by Haenel. The "squiggly" acceptance @ the bottom of the mag base under the "II" is likely the refurbishment (one of how many??) agent. Does the acceptance possibly look like a bird(bat) with a lot of "feathers" on the underside of the stamp over a numeral 6?? Your picture is just out of focus enough, I can't tell with the "II" over it.
* BTW, Ed, is the "II" for a second Centuria of some Police Unit?? I've seen Police grip strap markings use Roman numerals and have one mag example where the entire Police Unit marking was placed on the lower mag spine.
* Anyway, the sear safety was added sometime after 1929 in accord with Police regulations mandating same.
* bdg is an unknown Holster maker. There was a bdq listed as Ehrhardt & Kirsten of Taucha bei Leipzig from February, 1941 per J. Walter & E.Bender. The 4 lines, body, 4 lines is a straight winged eagle common to the post 1937 to 1945 time period. The sE should surmount a WaA###. bdq's Army Inspection acceptance designee used ###=170.
* The German's did not throw things away; especially, good things like a well taken care of Luger. Your Great grandpappy knew quality when he saw it too.
* Mystery Police unit would certainly be helpful & revealed by a front grip strap or holster marking. Even if ground off, didn't I read of a magnetic particle powder or rubber(wax) material (made in Fort Worth, Tx.) which could be used to non-invasively reveal old stampings?? Back to AutoMag...Let you know. Maybe one of our Forum members can post this technique/product.
Respectfully,
WR