[m1903a3]

I cant't say if the I.D. tag is real or not, but the /45K means the owner was inducted in 1945 and was in the Küstendienst (coastal service). Not a U-Boot.

As for the pistol, I agree with Norm that the engraving is most likely post-WWII and that the embellishments to make the U-Boat connection came later.

Personally, it makes me sad because a plain vanilla P.04 277 would have been more valuable and collectible. The early (>400) 1906 contract P.04s had several characteristics that set them apart from the rest of the 1906 pistols and make them quite rare and desirable for a Navy collector like myself.

As for the engraving, well I enjoy looking at beautifully engraved commercial firearms, and appreciate the artistry. But I'm much less fond of it on a military pistol.