VoPO for sale ON GB? DIP?

Andyd · 11-19-2012, 01:23 AM

As far as I know, many Vopo 08 were captured Russian guns that were given to arm the Vopo, those have the Russian X on it. The absence of the X is most likely indicating an East German rework. The Deutsche Volkspolizei was not the only armed unit is the GDR. The DVdI (Deutsche Verwaltung des Innern) issued the first "Dienstvorschrift: Die Pistolen der Polizei" in 1949 naming nine 9mm and 25 other pistols. Since the P.08 had been the serive pistol of the recently lost war, most men were familiar with it and there were enough guns and parts around to arm the police, Betriebskampfgruppen (workers brigades) and the Grenztruppen (border guards).
There are P08s with various other markings than the Vopo starburst with the inspector's mark inside, the plainclothe police units of the "Kripo Dresden" for instance.
The guns were usually repaired at local Waffenmeistereien for smaller problems and sent to Suhl for major repair, that is were they got new barrels and were usually proofed, crown N for final proof, Crown U for inspection after final proof, crown R for "Instandsetzungsbeschuß" after a repair. The stamp with three of four digits is the date of proofing; 753 for July 1953.

All this info is taken from the German Visier magazine 9/1991 that has a special on Vopo guns.

www.prussia.us · 11-19-2012, 05:10 PM

GREAT INFO, thanks, that certainly clears everything up

Andyd · 11-20-2012, 12:37 AM

Your are welcome. I have cousins in East Germany and went visiting them around 2000/2001. One of them was in the "Grenztruppen der DDR", one of their elite units, much like the Waffen SS.

I had travelled many times behind the iron curtain back in the days of the GDR and it had always been an experience! That sparked my interest in East German collectibles.

I also have acquired a Haenel repeating airrifle that was widely used as a training gun. Back when I had visited my cousin, they took me to a contest with those airrifles and I was surprised at the very high level of marksmanship in the general population.

SteveM · 11-20-2012, 08:22 PM

This one was dipped..all matching and there were not any parts that were replaced. I couldn't find anything wrong with it except for a few blemishes here and there but no pitting. Ordered from Sarco around 1990 for $389.

www.prussia.us · 11-20-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andyd

Your are welcome. I have cousins in East Germany and went visiting them around 2000/2001. One of them was in the "Grenztruppen der DDR", one of their elite units, much like the Waffen SS.

I had travelled many times behind the iron curtain back in the days of the GDR and it had always been an experience! That sparked my interest in East German collectibles.

I also have acquired a Haenel repeating airrifle that was widely used as a training gun. Back when I had visited my cousin, they took me to a contest with those airrifles and I was surprised at the very high level of marksmanship in the general population.

Before I take this thread off the reservation, SteveM super cool DDR-rework Luger, she is one smokin' fraulein.

Now AndyD, that is outstanding that you were able to keep in contact with your German relatives. Did your cousin ever talk about what happened to the Stg44's used or PPSh 41's, where they ever ended up?

Century imported a fair amount of DDR-proofed G43/K43 in the early 1990s, and occasionally you can find a 98K with the suhl eagle-proof, the SKS's and Nagants (rifle and revolvers) w/ the "1" in the triangle are around, as well as Mpi-K and MPi-Km AK-parts, but never DDR parts kits for Stg's, Mp40s, or PPSh41's from the DDR.

Andyd · 11-21-2012, 12:53 AM

SteveM,

that is a super-nice one!

www.prussia.us,

he never talked much about his service in the forces and since he had served during the 1980s, I think he will have little knowledge of those old guns, they had AKs and crossing the border, the guards had pointed it leisurely in my direction more than once.

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11-19-2012, 01:23 AM	#1
Andyd User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kaufman County, Texas Posts: 48 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As far as I know, many Vopo 08 were captured Russian guns that were given to arm the Vopo, those have the Russian X on it. The absence of the X is most likely indicating an East German rework. The Deutsche Volkspolizei was not the only armed unit is the GDR. The DVdI (Deutsche Verwaltung des Innern) issued the first "Dienstvorschrift: Die Pistolen der Polizei" in 1949 naming nine 9mm and 25 other pistols. Since the P.08 had been the serive pistol of the recently lost war, most men were familiar with it and there were enough guns and parts around to arm the police, Betriebskampfgruppen (workers brigades) and the Grenztruppen (border guards). There are P08s with various other markings than the Vopo starburst with the inspector's mark inside, the plainclothe police units of the "Kripo Dresden" for instance. The guns were usually repaired at local Waffenmeistereien for smaller problems and sent to Suhl for major repair, that is were they got new barrels and were usually proofed, crown N for final proof, Crown U for inspection after final proof, crown R for "Instandsetzungsbeschuß" after a repair. The stamp with three of four digits is the date of proofing; 753 for July 1953. All this info is taken from the German Visier magazine 9/1991 that has a special on Vopo guns.

11-19-2012, 05:10 PM	#2
www.prussia.us User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY Posts: 40 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GREAT INFO, thanks, that certainly clears everything up

11-20-2012, 12:37 AM	#3
Andyd User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kaufman County, Texas Posts: 48 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Your are welcome. I have cousins in East Germany and went visiting them around 2000/2001. One of them was in the "Grenztruppen der DDR", one of their elite units, much like the Waffen SS. I had travelled many times behind the iron curtain back in the days of the GDR and it had always been an experience! That sparked my interest in East German collectibles. I also have acquired a Haenel repeating airrifle that was widely used as a training gun. Back when I had visited my cousin, they took me to a contest with those airrifles and I was surprised at the very high level of marksmanship in the general population.

11-20-2012, 08:22 PM	#4
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	This one was dipped..all matching and there were not any parts that were replaced. I couldn't find anything wrong with it except for a few blemishes here and there but no pitting. Ordered from Sarco around 1990 for $389.

11-21-2012, 12:53 AM	#6
Andyd User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kaufman County, Texas Posts: 48 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	SteveM, that is a super-nice one! www.prussia.us, he never talked much about his service in the forces and since he had served during the 1980s, I think he will have little knowledge of those old guns, they had AKs and crossing the border, the guards had pointed it leisurely in my direction more than once.