Simson Rework with "DeathHead"

[Don M]

Chuck, from what I can see in your photo, the mark on the right side of the barrel consisting of PTV over an eagle is the proof stamp of the Berlin Police Armory which was a branch of the Polizeischule für Technik und Verkehr. These are not independent stamps but were used together. This proof was used to indicate rework by the Berlin armory from about 1928 to 1935. In 1935, the PTV was renamed Technische Polizeischule and the proof stamp was changed to TP over an eagle. The attachment shows both proofs. Over time, there were minor variations in this mark.

[Ron Wood]

Don has covered well the PTV stamps. Ed’s observation that “deathheads are from the freicorps generally and early 1919-1923 or so from what I have been reading recently” is probably pretty much on target.

To date there is no concrete link between the deathhead marking on Lugers and any specific organization. The fact that the marking is legitimate (although very frequently faked) is fairly well established. It has been attributed to the early Leib Hussar units (a theory that originally appealed to me…but pretty much ruled out since there is a 1st Lieb Hussar marked Luger that is not DH marked). It has also been associated with prison camp guards, but the link, I feel, is pretty tenuous.

My favorite theory, which follows Ed’s comment, is that the marking probably was adopted by a Freikorps Flammenwerfer (flamethrower) unit. The lazy “S” marking over the skull is thought to represent the pattern of the sweep of a flamethrower. There is absolutely no provenance to this assertion (as there is fundamentally no foundation for any other theory regarding the origin of this marking) but I submit for your consideration the following photo taken during the Kapp Putsch in 1920 Berlin. By no means conclusive, but food for thought.

[CHARLESL]

Thanks for all of the information that was received .
It is obvious that the pistol has numerous interesting
proof markings that I would have never been able
on my own to have figured out. I don't know if the whole
story will ever be known. I do have some question that someone might be able to answer.
1. Did Simson Reworks maintain the deathheads since most were used
by the Freicorps during the early 20ties. How did Simson obtain these weapons
to rework them if they were in "private hands"
2. After the Berlin Amory obtained the pistols or parts did they totally restore the pistols and then put their proof marks on the weapons or did they have Simson apply the proofmarks 3. Since this pistol has deathhead the only two ways that it could have been placed is either during WW1 or by a very competent "restorer forger"in the modern era. there is No evidence that either Simson or the Berlin Armory would have stamped this? Being a neophyte in collecting the pistols this has been a great educational experience
but I am not that naive to think this may not have been a well done restoration

Also thanks Mr Maus I have ordered you book from Simpson and look forward to reading it

Thanks
Chuck Lobrano