Provenanced 1906 Navy combat veteran

Navy · 02-28-2005, 01:46 PM

On 2 July 1915, the SMS Albatross was part of a German naval force steaming towards Danzig in the southern Baltic after having completed a mine laying operation in the Gulf of Finland. Just south of the Gotland island, the German force encountered a strong Russian Naval force.

During the ensuing combat, the SMS Albatross was severely damaged and ran aground near Ostergarn on the east coast of Gotland. Some 29 of the crew were killed and another 49 wounded in this action.

The German crew was interned by the neutral Swedes for the rest of the war. The dead were buried in a mass grave south of Ostergarn Church.

The German crew were moved several times during their internment, first to Roma in centeral Gotland, then to Tofta, south of the island's capital, Visby. All of the arrangements for the interned crew were made by a Swedish Army officer, Alfred Olsson.

One of the prisoners, Leutenant zur See Johann Conrad Dunklenberg was very appreciative of the care that Olsson had arranged for the crew and, in an expression of gratitude, presented him with his service pistol, SN 2540, property number W.W. 2620.

Olsson eventually passed the gun down in his family to Kjell Olsson.

The story of the battle and internment of the crew is written in the book, S.M.S. Albatross by Erich Thiery.

I am now the owner of this piece complete with its matching magazine, holster, tool and cleaning rod. Along with the pistol, I acquired an oil of the battle scene and a period map depicting the ebb and flow of the combat at sea, along with a copy of Thiery's book. I have additionally obtained photostats of the Imperial German Naval Rank list that provides a complete history of Lt Z S Dunklenberg from his officer candidate days aboard the Oldenberg in 1909 , listing his service on the Albatross, through his service in the Weimar Navy in 1928.

The gun is a delight. Although it has had some restoration, I believe that this piece's historical significance as an artifact far surpasses its significance as a collector pistol, and it will be displayed in a place of distinction in my Imperial Navy collection.

As time permits, photographs will be forthcoming.

Tom A.

Brent B. · 02-28-2005, 04:27 PM

I think it's great that you have the story behind the Luger and I'm looking forward to seeing your photos. I've been collecting Imperial Lugers for about 3 years and have 28 Lugers, one of them is a 1908 Navy with unit marks and 6 of the others have unit markings. I've always wondered where they had been and other then a few reference books with limited information there's not a lot a person can find out. Brent B.

Edward Tinker · 03-01-2005, 08:28 PM

Tom's new luger:

John D. · 03-01-2005, 08:34 PM

Absolutely outstanding..... I'm in awe.... To have such a piece of history - which can be tracked and verified is an amazing feat......

Tom - my sincerest congratulations on such a wonderful Luger...!!!!

John D.

John D. · 03-01-2005, 08:38 PM

And a few more pics of Tom's Navy I found hanging around in my servers:

Navy · 03-01-2005, 09:27 PM

All,

I consider myself *blessed*to have come across this wonderful group at a time when I could afford to make the deal work. No small amount of appreciation is due to my very good friend, Bob Simpson, who made it happen.

As someone who was educated as a historian (Mercer University, AB), the historical significance of the piece really touches me. I have been collecting Lugers since the early '60's and have never come across one that had such a history: tracable not only to the man who brought it back, but also to the man whose service weapon it was. And the story is one of humanitarianism in the midst of brutal combat.

This piece will leave my collection when I am: a. Toe tagged; b. Destitute and in need of a drool ward; c. When the court declares me incompetant to manage my affairs.

Humbled to have acquired such a treasure.

Tom A.

the gunman · 03-01-2005, 10:10 PM

Tom what a Wonderful ,Wonderful find. I envy you. A once in a lifetime deal. I would try to
take it with me with my toe tag. Wonderful thing

Big Norm · 03-01-2005, 10:49 PM

Tom,
nice going! I hope that, someday soon, you will be able to display the oil painting of the battle on the forum.
Big Norm

susan · 03-02-2005, 03:57 AM

Congratulations! this really is news.

as a "lurker" on site, i am primarily interested in the historical references made here more than i can have full appreciation for the actual artifacts themselves. to that end, i say " kudos" not only for your willingness to share a great story, but to your willigness and ablility to authenticate the provenance.

susan

dz · 03-02-2005, 08:43 AM

It would seem that the Navy Luger had been for sale on Simpsons' web site for some time at $7,500.00.

Heinz · 03-02-2005, 08:36 PM

ZIm, my grandfather taught there were certain items where gentleman never pointed out the price. Women and fast cars were the other two.

02-28-2005, 01:46 PM	#1
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Provenanced 1906 Navy combat veteran On 2 July 1915, the SMS Albatross was part of a German naval force steaming towards Danzig in the southern Baltic after having completed a mine laying operation in the Gulf of Finland. Just south of the Gotland island, the German force encountered a strong Russian Naval force. During the ensuing combat, the SMS Albatross was severely damaged and ran aground near Ostergarn on the east coast of Gotland. Some 29 of the crew were killed and another 49 wounded in this action. The German crew was interned by the neutral Swedes for the rest of the war. The dead were buried in a mass grave south of Ostergarn Church. The German crew were moved several times during their internment, first to Roma in centeral Gotland, then to Tofta, south of the island's capital, Visby. All of the arrangements for the interned crew were made by a Swedish Army officer, Alfred Olsson. One of the prisoners, Leutenant zur See Johann Conrad Dunklenberg was very appreciative of the care that Olsson had arranged for the crew and, in an expression of gratitude, presented him with his service pistol, SN 2540, property number W.W. 2620. Olsson eventually passed the gun down in his family to Kjell Olsson. The story of the battle and internment of the crew is written in the book, S.M.S. Albatross by Erich Thiery. I am now the owner of this piece complete with its matching magazine, holster, tool and cleaning rod. Along with the pistol, I acquired an oil of the battle scene and a period map depicting the ebb and flow of the combat at sea, along with a copy of Thiery's book. I have additionally obtained photostats of the Imperial German Naval Rank list that provides a complete history of Lt Z S Dunklenberg from his officer candidate days aboard the Oldenberg in 1909 , listing his service on the Albatross, through his service in the Weimar Navy in 1928. The gun is a delight. Although it has had some restoration, I believe that this piece's historical significance as an artifact far surpasses its significance as a collector pistol, and it will be displayed in a place of distinction in my Imperial Navy collection. As time permits, photographs will be forthcoming. Tom A.

03-01-2005, 08:28 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	Tom's new luger: Attached Thumbnails

03-02-2005, 08:43 AM	#10
dz Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 260 Thanks: 1 Thanked 55 Times in 39 Posts	Navy Luger It would seem that the Navy Luger had been for sale on Simpsons' web site for some time at $7,500.00.

02-28-2005, 04:27 PM	#2
Brent B. User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 176 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think it's great that you have the story behind the Luger and I'm looking forward to seeing your photos. I've been collecting Imperial Lugers for about 3 years and have 28 Lugers, one of them is a 1908 Navy with unit marks and 6 of the others have unit markings. I've always wondered where they had been and other then a few reference books with limited information there's not a lot a person can find out. Brent B.

03-01-2005, 08:34 PM	#4
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 515 Times in 128 Posts	Absolutely outstanding..... I'm in awe.... To have such a piece of history - which can be tracked and verified is an amazing feat...... Tom - my sincerest congratulations on such a wonderful Luger...!!!! John D.

03-01-2005, 08:38 PM	#5
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 515 Times in 128 Posts	And a few more pics of Tom's Navy I found hanging around in my servers:

03-01-2005, 09:27 PM	#6
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	All, I consider myself blessedto have come across this wonderful group at a time when I could afford to make the deal work. No small amount of appreciation is due to my very good friend, Bob Simpson, who made it happen. As someone who was educated as a historian (Mercer University, AB), the historical significance of the piece really touches me. I have been collecting Lugers since the early '60's and have never come across one that had such a history: tracable not only to the man who brought it back, but also to the man whose service weapon it was. And the story is one of humanitarianism in the midst of brutal combat. This piece will leave my collection when I am: a. Toe tagged; b. Destitute and in need of a drool ward; c. When the court declares me incompetant to manage my affairs. Humbled to have acquired such a treasure. Tom A.

03-01-2005, 10:10 PM	#7
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Tom what a Wonderful ,Wonderful find. I envy you. A once in a lifetime deal. I would try to take it with me with my toe tag. Wonderful thing

03-01-2005, 10:49 PM	#8
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Tom, nice going! I hope that, someday soon, you will be able to display the oil painting of the battle on the forum. Big Norm

03-02-2005, 03:57 AM	#9
susan User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 45 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Congratulations! this really is news. as a "lurker" on site, i am primarily interested in the historical references made here more than i can have full appreciation for the actual artifacts themselves. to that end, i say " kudos" not only for your willingness to share a great story, but to your willigness and ablility to authenticate the provenance. susan

03-02-2005, 08:36 PM	#11
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	ZIm, my grandfather taught there were certain items where gentleman never pointed out the price. Women and fast cars were the other two.