Rear-frame Police Numbers Questions

Dwight Gruber · 02-09-2006, 12:38 PM

The circle-S survey http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=13170 is yielding some interesting results. It prompts a question which has been touched on in any number of discussions, but will be useful to address head-on

What is known about the meaning and purpose of the rear frame numbers stamped on some Police Lugers?

I recall them being mentioned as "rack numbers", but is this all that is known? Can they be identified with any particular Police organization? or are they limited to Police usage? Are they identified in a particular time period? What questions am I failing to ask?

What I am looking for here is no less than a compendium of all that is known about these numbers. Thanks to anyone--everyone--with knowledge on the subject for your participation.

--Dwight

Edward Tinker · 02-09-2006, 12:42 PM

I don't anyone has much more than a guess Dwight, as I have asked the same question a few years ago and received a shrug of the shoulders and WAG they are rack numbers...

Ed

Lugerdoc · 02-09-2006, 05:56 PM

I have no factual basis for calling these "rack numbers", it just seemed logical that if the luger were stored with the rear exposed, that it would make more sense to stamp the units inventory # on the rear, rather than on the front grip strap. TH

Don M · 02-09-2006, 09:37 PM

Dwight,

I have several in my database where the weapon number on the front grip strap is repeated on the rear frame. Tom Heller's explanation seems logical.

Dwight Gruber · 02-10-2006, 02:27 AM

Don,

True enough. The pistols I'm curious about are the guns with just numbers on the rear frame, and nothing on the grip strap.

--Dwight

02-09-2006, 12:38 PM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,899 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,305 Times in 429 Posts	Rear-frame Police Numbers Questions The circle-S survey http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=13170 is yielding some interesting results. It prompts a question which has been touched on in any number of discussions, but will be useful to address head-on What is known about the meaning and purpose of the rear frame numbers stamped on some Police Lugers? I recall them being mentioned as "rack numbers", but is this all that is known? Can they be identified with any particular Police organization? or are they limited to Police usage? Are they identified in a particular time period? What questions am I failing to ask? What I am looking for here is no less than a compendium of all that is known about these numbers. Thanks to anyone--everyone--with knowledge on the subject for your participation. --Dwight

02-09-2006, 12:42 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	I don't anyone has much more than a guess Dwight, as I have asked the same question a few years ago and received a shrug of the shoulders and WAG they are rack numbers... Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-09-2006, 05:56 PM	#3
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I have no factual basis for calling these "rack numbers", it just seemed logical that if the luger were stored with the rear exposed, that it would make more sense to stamp the units inventory # on the rear, rather than on the front grip strap. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-09-2006, 09:37 PM	#4
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Dwight, I have several in my database where the weapon number on the front grip strap is repeated on the rear frame. Tom Heller's explanation seems logical. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

02-10-2006, 02:27 AM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,899 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,305 Times in 429 Posts	Don, True enough. The pistols I'm curious about are the guns with just numbers on the rear frame, and nothing on the grip strap. --Dwight