Provenanced 1906 Navy combat veteran

Navy · 02-28-2005, 01:46 PM

On 2 July 1915, the SMS Albatross was part of a German naval force steaming towards Danzig in the southern Baltic after having completed a mine laying operation in the Gulf of Finland. Just south of the Gotland island, the German force encountered a strong Russian Naval force.

During the ensuing combat, the SMS Albatross was severely damaged and ran aground near Ostergarn on the east coast of Gotland. Some 29 of the crew were killed and another 49 wounded in this action.

The German crew was interned by the neutral Swedes for the rest of the war. The dead were buried in a mass grave south of Ostergarn Church.

The German crew were moved several times during their internment, first to Roma in centeral Gotland, then to Tofta, south of the island's capital, Visby. All of the arrangements for the interned crew were made by a Swedish Army officer, Alfred Olsson.

One of the prisoners, Leutenant zur See Johann Conrad Dunklenberg was very appreciative of the care that Olsson had arranged for the crew and, in an expression of gratitude, presented him with his service pistol, SN 2540, property number W.W. 2620.

Olsson eventually passed the gun down in his family to Kjell Olsson.

The story of the battle and internment of the crew is written in the book, S.M.S. Albatross by Erich Thiery.

I am now the owner of this piece complete with its matching magazine, holster, tool and cleaning rod. Along with the pistol, I acquired an oil of the battle scene and a period map depicting the ebb and flow of the combat at sea, along with a copy of Thiery's book. I have additionally obtained photostats of the Imperial German Naval Rank list that provides a complete history of Lt Z S Dunklenberg from his officer candidate days aboard the Oldenberg in 1909 , listing his service on the Albatross, through his service in the Weimar Navy in 1928.

The gun is a delight. Although it has had some restoration, I believe that this piece's historical significance as an artifact far surpasses its significance as a collector pistol, and it will be displayed in a place of distinction in my Imperial Navy collection.

As time permits, photographs will be forthcoming.

Tom A.

02-28-2005, 01:46 PM	#1
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Provenanced 1906 Navy combat veteran On 2 July 1915, the SMS Albatross was part of a German naval force steaming towards Danzig in the southern Baltic after having completed a mine laying operation in the Gulf of Finland. Just south of the Gotland island, the German force encountered a strong Russian Naval force. During the ensuing combat, the SMS Albatross was severely damaged and ran aground near Ostergarn on the east coast of Gotland. Some 29 of the crew were killed and another 49 wounded in this action. The German crew was interned by the neutral Swedes for the rest of the war. The dead were buried in a mass grave south of Ostergarn Church. The German crew were moved several times during their internment, first to Roma in centeral Gotland, then to Tofta, south of the island's capital, Visby. All of the arrangements for the interned crew were made by a Swedish Army officer, Alfred Olsson. One of the prisoners, Leutenant zur See Johann Conrad Dunklenberg was very appreciative of the care that Olsson had arranged for the crew and, in an expression of gratitude, presented him with his service pistol, SN 2540, property number W.W. 2620. Olsson eventually passed the gun down in his family to Kjell Olsson. The story of the battle and internment of the crew is written in the book, S.M.S. Albatross by Erich Thiery. I am now the owner of this piece complete with its matching magazine, holster, tool and cleaning rod. Along with the pistol, I acquired an oil of the battle scene and a period map depicting the ebb and flow of the combat at sea, along with a copy of Thiery's book. I have additionally obtained photostats of the Imperial German Naval Rank list that provides a complete history of Lt Z S Dunklenberg from his officer candidate days aboard the Oldenberg in 1909 , listing his service on the Albatross, through his service in the Weimar Navy in 1928. The gun is a delight. Although it has had some restoration, I believe that this piece's historical significance as an artifact far surpasses its significance as a collector pistol, and it will be displayed in a place of distinction in my Imperial Navy collection. As time permits, photographs will be forthcoming. Tom A.