unit marking on a 1921 dwm

[Don M]

Ron,

There was a recent posting of a 1921 DWM 4312b with the grip strap marking S.A.K.3.24. Although it has no sear or mag safeties, I have been thinking it was a police marking from the Schupo of the Aurich district. Is there a Reichswehr unit that would fit this marking?

Klaus,

The most plausible explanation I have heard for the 1921-dated DWMs with 8xxxx serial numbers (some with an "a" suffix) is that they were assembled by DWM after the IMKK shut down their production of military/police Lugers in 1921 from parts originally intended for military/police sale. At least some of these parts may have had four-digit serial numbers that were "commercialized" by appending an 8. Some, but not all, of these have the serial number off-center on the frame suggesting the addition of an 8. However, yours looks more like the final 4 was a late addition!

All I can say is that this is the best theory I have heard so far.