Dutch KNIL Carbine unit marking plate

1BigGuy · 08-01-2014, 06:18 PM

I know this forum specializes in Lugers, but I am hoping that someone offer a clue regarding a carbine.

I have a Dutch Mannlicher carbine dated 1919 from Hembrug, Netherlands with the following brass plate inlet into the stock:

I am reasonably certain that this carbine served with the Dutch East Indies Army (KNIL is for Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger {Royal Netherlands East Indies Army}) because it has a turned down bolt, skeleton rimmed butt plate, two vent holes in the receiver, and the above unit marking plate; all characteristics of KNIL use. Extensive rust underneath the stock would seem to confirm jungle use. My question is:

Can anyone explain which Dutch unit the marking plate indicates?

I suspect that Verl.G III represents Vl.G., which is a Dutch abbreviation for Vliegtuiggroep (air group)III. Vl.G III was stationed at Tjililitan airfield, Batavia, Java and flew Glenn Martin B-10 bombers; known as the export Model 139WH-3 and 139WH-3A.

If I understand Dutch practice at the time, 83 would then be the carbine's number within that unit.
Any information, confirmation, and/or corrections would be greatly appreciated.

Vlim · 08-01-2014, 09:50 PM

Verl. as an abbreviation has little to do with vliegtuig. The best I can come up with is that it is a 'Verlichtingsgroep' (lighting group), perhaps a group that managed search lights.

08-01-2014, 06:18 PM	#1
1BigGuy New User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dutch KNIL Carbine unit marking plate I know this forum specializes in Lugers, but I am hoping that someone offer a clue regarding a carbine. I have a Dutch Mannlicher carbine dated 1919 from Hembrug, Netherlands with the following brass plate inlet into the stock: I am reasonably certain that this carbine served with the Dutch East Indies Army (KNIL is for Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger {Royal Netherlands East Indies Army}) because it has a turned down bolt, skeleton rimmed butt plate, two vent holes in the receiver, and the above unit marking plate; all characteristics of KNIL use. Extensive rust underneath the stock would seem to confirm jungle use. My question is: Can anyone explain which Dutch unit the marking plate indicates? I suspect that Verl.G III represents Vl.G., which is a Dutch abbreviation for Vliegtuiggroep (air group)III. Vl.G III was stationed at Tjililitan airfield, Batavia, Java and flew Glenn Martin B-10 bombers; known as the export Model 139WH-3 and 139WH-3A. If I understand Dutch practice at the time, 83 would then be the carbine's number within that unit. Any information, confirmation, and/or corrections would be greatly appreciated.

08-01-2014, 09:50 PM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Verl. as an abbreviation has little to do with vliegtuig. The best I can come up with is that it is a 'Verlichtingsgroep' (lighting group), perhaps a group that managed search lights.