1917 DWM Unit marked Artillery.
Jan.C.Still asked to see some photos of the 1917 DWM Unit marked Artillery Luger that I recently purchased at an auction here in New Zealand.
The gun is all matching numbers including the magazine and the stock board. It is 95% original blue allover with some slight holster wear in the usual places.The back grip strap is unit marked JR 448 9K and the holster is made by Max Reuser Stalluonen 1916 and is stamped BA XVII.
The stock board is Imperial stamped along with the stripping tool and the cleaning rod.
It came complete with the second pattern Snail Drum Mag which was captured with the gun.
Jan.C.Still advises that J.R.448.9.K signifies Infantry Regiment 448, 9 Kompagnie which was part of the 233 and 107 ID during WWI. He further says that the BA XVII on the holster signifies the 17th Army Corps, which two of the regiments in the 233ID are from. What this indicates is that, in a roundabout way, the holster is related to the Luger.
Klaus advises that the R.448, 449 and 450 were part of the 233.Inf.Division which was formed on Feb.17.1917. C.O. of 233.I.D. was Generalleutnant von Dewitz
.
The 233 ID fought in Flanders, Lorraine, Kemmel and the Somme during WWI.
Trooper John Morton captured the gun on the Somme in 1918.
His enlisted number was 9/308 and he served with the Otago Mounted Rifles (New Zealand infantry division). He enlisted 16 August 1914
Served in Egypt 1914,1915,1916
Served in the Balkans 1915, Gallipoli , embarking at Mudros for Gallipoli.
Served in Western Europe 1916,1917,1918 at Flanders, Somme, Etaples, Abule.
Discharged 6th June 1919.
John Morton came from Isla Bank in Southland, at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. His name is scribbled both on the holster and the stock board and I feel we can forgive him for that little bit of graffiti.
With appreciation of assistance from Jan.C.Still and Klaus.
Murray
New Zealand.