Engraved Navy

m1903a3 · 10-18-2019, 04:34 PM

I cant't say if the I.D. tag is real or not, but the /45K means the owner was inducted in 1945 and was in the Küstendienst (coastal service). Not a U-Boot.

As for the pistol, I agree with Norm that the engraving is most likely post-WWII and that the embellishments to make the U-Boat connection came later.

Personally, it makes me sad because a plain vanilla P.04 277 would have been more valuable and collectible. The early (>400) 1906 contract P.04s had several characteristics that set them apart from the rest of the 1906 pistols and make them quite rare and desirable for a Navy collector like myself.

As for the engraving, well I enjoy looking at beautifully engraved commercial firearms, and appreciate the artistry. But I'm much less fond of it on a military pistol.

10-18-2019, 04:34 PM	#15
m1903a3 User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 199 Thanks: 26 Thanked 320 Times in 113 Posts	I cant't say if the I.D. tag is real or not, but the /45K means the owner was inducted in 1945 and was in the Küstendienst (coastal service). Not a U-Boot. As for the pistol, I agree with Norm that the engraving is most likely post-WWII and that the embellishments to make the U-Boat connection came later. Personally, it makes me sad because a plain vanilla P.04 277 would have been more valuable and collectible. The early (>400) 1906 contract P.04s had several characteristics that set them apart from the rest of the 1906 pistols and make them quite rare and desirable for a Navy collector like myself. As for the engraving, well I enjoy looking at beautifully engraved commercial firearms, and appreciate the artistry. But I'm much less fond of it on a military pistol. __________________ - Mike Life member: NRA, OVMS, VGCA Member: NAPCA, N-SSA(Veteran) Si vis pacem, para bellum