Engraving on German Luger

rstilley · 10-06-2017, 10:11 AM

Have a DMW 9mm Luger with serial #2471 d (might be an a) with engraving on the front and rear of the butt frame. Would like to know what engraving means. Front shows III./J.R.5.6 Rear shows 3 K (K is much larger than the numbers), then an unusual symbol that looks like an old nail or spike, and then what appears to be an upside down 3.
Anyone know what these mean? Thanks!

Pistol · 10-06-2017, 10:18 AM

Sounds like a unit mark. Can you post photos?

John Sabato · 10-06-2017, 10:18 AM

Pictures Bob, Pictures please.

Post them directly on the forum. Best taken outside on an overcast day, with no artificial flash or directed light. Make sure they are in sharp focus (use a tripod if possible to eliminate hand movement from making the subject out of focus), and do close-ups of all markings. You will be surprised just how much we can tell you about your Luger.

Welcome to the Lugerforum.

George Anderson · 10-06-2017, 10:19 AM

They are Reichswehr unit markings. III/J.R.5.6. - third Battalion, Infantry Regiment 5, weapon 6. Photos would help in interpreting the second marking.

rstilley · 10-06-2017, 01:53 PM

http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.php?albumid=643

not sure how to send pictures on your website yet - can you open above?

ithacaartist · 10-06-2017, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstilley

http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.php?albumid=643

not sure how to send pictures on your website yet - can you open above?

Yes. You can add these pics to the post itself by clicking on "go advanced" and then scroll down to "manage attachments" You'll then be able to select image files to upload from your hard drive or enter the URL for each from the gallery.

rstilley · 10-07-2017, 09:38 AM

Thanks for info! Sent pictures using this: http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.php?albumid=643
Hopefully you'll decipher the other markings. Bob

George Anderson · 10-07-2017, 09:48 AM

The marking on the back strap is probably what is called a pre 1922 Reichswehr provisional unit marking indicating 3rd Company and weapon number.

rstilley · 10-07-2017, 11:40 AM

Thanks for reply. But you said earlier that markings on front strap indicated weapon # 6. So this engraving on back strap showing small 3, Large K, then some unknown mark, then upside down 3 would not correspond as a weapon number?? I think it must indicate something else?

DonVoigt · 10-07-2017, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstilley

Thanks for reply. But you said earlier that markings on front strap indicated weapon # 6. So this engraving on back strap showing small 3, Large K, then some unknown mark, then upside down 3 would not correspond as a weapon number?? I think it must indicate something else?

Could be a mistake or that the pistol was assigned another number later.

George Anderson · 10-07-2017, 02:59 PM

The back strap marking was provisional and was earlier.

rstilley · 10-07-2017, 05:26 PM

One more question. Serial Number on frame is 2471a. What year would that have been manufactured? Thank you!

DonVoigt · 10-07-2017, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstilley

One more question. Serial Number on frame is 2471a. What year would that have been manufactured? Thank you!

Is it matching?
What is the date on the top of the chamber?

rstilley · 10-07-2017, 07:16 PM

Everything matches except the receiver. It obviously was replaced at some point by Mauser as it is stamped 1939 with a 42 on the left side. It is the reddish, plum color also. Assume gun was refurbished with new receiver in 1939? But, I'm curious when the frame and other parts were made. The toggle has DMW on it.

DonVoigt · 10-07-2017, 10:14 PM

The frame, if original to the receiver would have been made in 1939.
Since the frame with a Weimar marking obviously does not match the receiver, it is not possible to know when the frame was made.

You must post pictures to go any farther with understanding what you have, right now we are just speculating.

rstilley · 10-08-2017, 09:02 AM

Hi Don, here are 10 pics. 10 more to follow. Bob

rstilley · 10-08-2017, 09:24 AM

Don, Having trouble attaching pics due to size of file. Have to send a few at a time. More to follow.

rstilley · 10-08-2017, 09:27 AM

Don, More pics - more to follow.

rstilley · 10-08-2017, 09:35 AM

More pics.

rstilley · 10-08-2017, 09:39 AM

More pics

10-06-2017, 10:11 AM	#1
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Engraving on German Luger Have a DMW 9mm Luger with serial #2471 d (might be an a) with engraving on the front and rear of the butt frame. Would like to know what engraving means. Front shows III./J.R.5.6 Rear shows 3 K (K is much larger than the numbers), then an unusual symbol that looks like an old nail or spike, and then what appears to be an upside down 3. Anyone know what these mean? Thanks!

10-06-2017, 10:18 AM	#3
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	Pictures Bob, Pictures please. Post them directly on the forum. Best taken outside on an overcast day, with no artificial flash or directed light. Make sure they are in sharp focus (use a tripod if possible to eliminate hand movement from making the subject out of focus), and do close-ups of all markings. You will be surprised just how much we can tell you about your Luger. Welcome to the Lugerforum. __________________ 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..."*

10-07-2017, 10:14 PM	#15
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,440 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	The frame, if original to the receiver would have been made in 1939. Since the frame with a Weimar marking obviously does not match the receiver, it is not possible to know when the frame was made. You must post pictures to go any farther with understanding what you have, right now we are just speculating. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

10-08-2017, 09:02 AM	#16
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger Pictures from rstilley Hi Don, here are 10 pics. 10 more to follow. Bob Attached Thumbnails

10-08-2017, 09:24 AM	#17
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger pictures from rstilley Don, Having trouble attaching pics due to size of file. Have to send a few at a time. More to follow. Attached Thumbnails

10-06-2017, 10:18 AM	#2
Pistol User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 421 Thanks: 430 Thanked 214 Times in 95 Posts	Sounds like a unit mark. Can you post photos?

10-06-2017, 10:19 AM	#4
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	They are Reichswehr unit markings. III/J.R.5.6. - third Battalion, Infantry Regiment 5, weapon 6. Photos would help in interpreting the second marking.

10-06-2017, 01:53 PM	#5
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.php?albumid=643 not sure how to send pictures on your website yet - can you open above?

10-07-2017, 09:38 AM	#7
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for info! Sent pictures using this: http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.php?albumid=643 Hopefully you'll decipher the other markings. Bob

10-07-2017, 09:48 AM	#8
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	The marking on the back strap is probably what is called a pre 1922 Reichswehr provisional unit marking indicating 3rd Company and weapon number.

10-07-2017, 11:40 AM	#9
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for reply. But you said earlier that markings on front strap indicated weapon # 6. So this engraving on back strap showing small 3, Large K, then some unknown mark, then upside down 3 would not correspond as a weapon number?? I think it must indicate something else?

10-07-2017, 02:59 PM	#11
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	The back strap marking was provisional and was earlier.

10-07-2017, 05:26 PM	#12
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	One more question. Serial Number on frame is 2471a. What year would that have been manufactured? Thank you!

10-07-2017, 07:16 PM	#14
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Everything matches except the receiver. It obviously was replaced at some point by Mauser as it is stamped 1939 with a 42 on the left side. It is the reddish, plum color also. Assume gun was refurbished with new receiver in 1939? But, I'm curious when the frame and other parts were made. The toggle has DMW on it.

10-08-2017, 09:27 AM	#18
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Don, More pics - more to follow. Attached Thumbnails

10-08-2017, 09:35 AM	#19
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger pictures from ratilley More pics. Attached Thumbnails

10-08-2017, 09:39 AM	#20
rstilley User Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger pictures from rstilley More pics Attached Thumbnails