History help 1916 Luger

[roadkill1]

The marking on this front grip strap of "S.D.I. 905." is from the Dusseldorf Municipal Police District, Section I, pistol #905. The reference for this identification is from German Small Arms Markings, by Gortz and Bryans, Chapter V, Police Unit Markings, pp. 93-96.

Ron

[34SF]

Gents, thank you for the info thus far and it is exactly what I need. The value is in the contextual history and I'd really like to tell the story of this gun when I return it to him. I'll put to together tomorrow and take a complete picture as well as a better image of the mark under the 1920. Thank you again.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

A police pistol should have the 'Schiwy sear safety' or the remains of one. Let your pic show the left side where the sear bar is. What few pics shown do not indicate a magazine safety.

Police Lugers are always cool, especially if taken into (or from) army service.

True on the cool part!

Not all police lugers have the sear safety, those used by the
"barracked police" in Prussia did not have to have the safety added, at least not until 1937 or so when Himmler ordered all police pistols to hvet the sear safety.

Bavarian and Saxon(and a couple other states) pistols may also be without, again until 1937;though some would have had them added late.

Subject to correction by Don M. or Ed T, or Dwight G., they are the experts on Police lugers.

[34SF]

Additional pictures as requested.