Grip markings on my 1917 DWM Weimar Police

AndrewC · 11-20-2010, 12:31 AM

Hi everyone, I was cleaning the grips on my 1917 DWM Police, when I noticed the left grip was not relieved on the back side for the mag safety spring. ( it was clipped off at some point ) This grip has what looks to be a "gothic" S stamped in it, also something that looks like a bell with something above it? will include pictures. the other grip which I believe is original has an eagle with drooped wings. Any ideas on the identification of the stamps ? there are no engravings on the gun, is this common for a Police Luger ? I am trying to retrace its history as best as I can. My Grandfather gave this pistol to my Father who later donated it to be put on display. It was on display, then stored for several years, then returned to me several years after his death. Sadlly I don't know the history other than my Grandfather brought it back from Germany. It seems like there is a large gap in its history ( Weimar to WW2 ) were Police Lugers used in military service ?? any help on the stamps and thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Andrew

Edward Tinker · 11-20-2010, 01:11 AM

Not sure what you mean by engraving on the gun? I think you are asking if all police guns had unit markings; and the answer is no. I beleive that about 40% of police guns received unit markings, that is a feeling based on looking, owning and handeling hundreds of police lugers.

Many police lugers went into army service.

Your luger served in WW1, then at some point made it into police service recieving a sear and magazine safety and at some point the mag safety was removed.

It is hard to say if the grips are later armorer replacements or replacements by "someone".

Ed

AndrewC · 11-20-2010, 12:46 PM

Thanks Ed, sorry I should have said unit markings...from what I have seen it seems like it was very common for the police lugers to have these. I thought it odd that mine didn't. any thoughts on the " S " stamp or the other stamp ( bell?? with maybe an eagle?? above it ) Cheers, Andrew

MFC · 11-20-2010, 10:10 PM

The bell shaped proof has what looks to me to be a police starburst above it. The 'S' looks like the same type as on K dates.

AndrewC · 11-20-2010, 10:27 PM

Thanks Mike, It's like trying to to put together a puzzle !!

Lugerdoc · 11-24-2010, 10:55 AM

Andrew, The fancy Franktur "S" inside your left grip does indicate inspection at Mauser, probably around 1934 and the asterix mark indicate it was made as a replacement spare. The E/6 inside your right grip, is that of an inspector at Simson during the Weimar period. It's hard to see all of the serials in your photo, but a #99 safety bar isn't correct in a frame serial ending in 77. If your frame, receiver, barrel & toggle assy match, I may be of assistance helping match the small parts.

AndrewC · 11-25-2010, 01:28 PM

Thank you Tom, the safety bar is stamped 77 ( sorry, it was hard to see in the picture ) however the takedown lever is broken off at the knob. I would like to either replace (with a #77 I could wish right ?? ) or maybe repair ??

Cheers, Andrew

Lugerdoc · 11-26-2010, 10:10 AM

Andrew, Sorry no #77 PO8 TD lever available. You should check with Howard Collins of this Forum at policeluger@mchsi.com regarding the repair of your matching one. I do have the #77 safety bar in stock. How about your safety lever? Is it also mismatched? TH

AndrewC · 11-26-2010, 01:11 PM

Thanks Tom, All parts are matching #77 ( although the safety bar #77 is harder to see in the picture ) Thanks again for all your help. I'll give you a call. Cheers, Andrew

11-20-2010, 12:31 AM	#1
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Grip markings on my 1917 DWM Weimar Police Hi everyone, I was cleaning the grips on my 1917 DWM Police, when I noticed the left grip was not relieved on the back side for the mag safety spring. ( it was clipped off at some point ) This grip has what looks to be a "gothic" S stamped in it, also something that looks like a bell with something above it? will include pictures. the other grip which I believe is original has an eagle with drooped wings. Any ideas on the identification of the stamps ? there are no engravings on the gun, is this common for a Police Luger ? I am trying to retrace its history as best as I can. My Grandfather gave this pistol to my Father who later donated it to be put on display. It was on display, then stored for several years, then returned to me several years after his death. Sadlly I don't know the history other than my Grandfather brought it back from Germany. It seems like there is a large gap in its history ( Weimar to WW2 ) were Police Lugers used in military service ?? any help on the stamps and thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Andrew Attached Thumbnails

11-20-2010, 01:11 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Not sure what you mean by engraving on the gun? I think you are asking if all police guns had unit markings; and the answer is no. I beleive that about 40% of police guns received unit markings, that is a feeling based on looking, owning and handeling hundreds of police lugers. Many police lugers went into army service. Your luger served in WW1, then at some point made it into police service recieving a sear and magazine safety and at some point the mag safety was removed. It is hard to say if the grips are later armorer replacements or replacements by "someone". Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-20-2010, 10:10 PM	#4
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	The bell shaped proof has what looks to me to be a police starburst above it. The 'S' looks like the same type as on K dates. __________________ Mike C.

11-24-2010, 10:55 AM	#6
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Andrew, The fancy Franktur "S" inside your left grip does indicate inspection at Mauser, probably around 1934 and the asterix mark indicate it was made as a replacement spare. The E/6 inside your right grip, is that of an inspector at Simson during the Weimar period. It's hard to see all of the serials in your photo, but a #99 safety bar isn't correct in a frame serial ending in 77. If your frame, receiver, barrel & toggle assy match, I may be of assistance helping match the small parts. __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net Last edited by Lugerdoc; 11-24-2010 at 10:58 AM. Reason: typing errors

11-26-2010, 10:10 AM	#8
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Andrew, Sorry no #77 PO8 TD lever available. You should check with Howard Collins of this Forum at policeluger@mchsi.com regarding the repair of your matching one. I do have the #77 safety bar in stock. How about your safety lever? Is it also mismatched? TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

11-20-2010, 12:46 PM	#3
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Ed, sorry I should have said unit markings...from what I have seen it seems like it was very common for the police lugers to have these. I thought it odd that mine didn't. any thoughts on the " S " stamp or the other stamp ( bell?? with maybe an eagle?? above it ) Cheers, Andrew

11-20-2010, 10:27 PM	#5
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Mike, It's like trying to to put together a puzzle !!

11-25-2010, 01:28 PM	#7
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you Tom, the safety bar is stamped 77 ( sorry, it was hard to see in the picture ) however the takedown lever is broken off at the knob. I would like to either replace (with a #77 I could wish right ?? ) or maybe repair ?? Cheers, Andrew

11-26-2010, 01:11 PM	#9
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Tom, All parts are matching #77 ( although the safety bar #77 is harder to see in the picture ) Thanks again for all your help. I'll give you a call. Cheers, Andrew