Unit marking over Chamber

Mike B · 12-02-2007, 09:35 PM

Fellow Forum members,
Please take a look at this Luger being offered for sale at Simpson Ltd. The chamber has what appears to be regiment markings over the date. I called Simpsons' and asked a few questions about the Luger. One question was if the grip straps were also marked. They are not. I also asked if the markings looked legit and the answer was yes. I already own one Luger with similar chamber markings and I am considering buying this one. But before I do so, I would like some input on what the markings are all about.
Thanks,
Mike

Here is a link to that Luger:
http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=2168

John Sabato · 12-03-2007, 12:26 PM

Hi Mike, although I have no idea what the marks mean, these stamps look legitimate to me IMHO.

I will let one of the guys who has earnestly studied unit markings comment on what they stand for...

Ron Wood · 12-03-2007, 01:20 PM

To me a "V" designation might indicate "Versuch", but what they would be testing in 1915 I have no idea.

Pete Ebbink · 12-03-2007, 01:41 PM

Is it just photo effects, or is there something odd with the "5" in the 1915 chamber date...???...

John Sabato · 12-04-2007, 09:50 AM

I think it is just the quality of the photo image Pete... the date stamp looks okay to me.

lugerholsterrepair · 12-04-2007, 02:34 PM

I have done pretty extensive research on this V and had some help from a European collector.
To me a "V" designation might indicate "Versuch", but what they would be testing in 1915 I have no idea.
I believe Ron is correct. This is exactly what it means to the best of my knowledge. I have a beautifull 1917 Imperial Navy with the large V ans some smaller numbers.
My european research indicates some Lugers were tested for the conversion from the truncated bullet to the ogive because of the World opinion that the truncated bullet was a Dum Dum type.
Perhaps this reason and several more lost to history.
Jerry Burney

12-02-2007, 09:35 PM	#1
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	Unit marking over Chamber Fellow Forum members, Please take a look at this Luger being offered for sale at Simpson Ltd. The chamber has what appears to be regiment markings over the date. I called Simpsons' and asked a few questions about the Luger. One question was if the grip straps were also marked. They are not. I also asked if the markings looked legit and the answer was yes. I already own one Luger with similar chamber markings and I am considering buying this one. But before I do so, I would like some input on what the markings are all about. Thanks, Mike Here is a link to that Luger: http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=2168

12-03-2007, 12:26 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Hi Mike, although I have no idea what the marks mean, these stamps look legitimate to me IMHO. I will let one of the guys who has earnestly studied unit markings comment on what they stand for... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

12-03-2007, 01:20 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	To me a "V" designation might indicate "Versuch", but what they would be testing in 1915 I have no idea. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

12-04-2007, 09:50 AM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I think it is just the quality of the photo image Pete... the date stamp looks okay to me. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

12-04-2007, 02:34 PM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	I have done pretty extensive research on this V and had some help from a European collector. To me a "V" designation might indicate "Versuch", but what they would be testing in 1915 I have no idea. I believe Ron is correct. This is exactly what it means to the best of my knowledge. I have a beautifull 1917 Imperial Navy with the large V ans some smaller numbers. My european research indicates some Lugers were tested for the conversion from the truncated bullet to the ogive because of the World opinion that the truncated bullet was a Dum Dum type. Perhaps this reason and several more lost to history. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-03-2007, 01:41 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Is it just photo effects, or is there something odd with the "5" in the 1915 chamber date...???...