GI Bring-back Certificate

HerbZ · 03-10-2011, 01:32 PM

The attached photo of a GI Bring-back Certificate is suppose to go with a byf 42 with an 8xxx i serial number. This is the first such certificate I've ever seen, either in person or on the Internet.

Shouldn't the number written on it be that of the pistol it represents?

Wouldn't a six digit number with a letter be more common to a Walther made P-38 than a Mauser made P-08?

wlyon · 03-10-2011, 01:36 PM

It certaintly doesn't go with a luger. Bill

John Sabato · 03-10-2011, 02:55 PM

I agree with Bill. This bring-back certificate does not belong with a Luger pistol.

The form and length of the serial number may give some clue to collectors of other types of military pistols just what type of pistol this certificate was intended to accompany...

How about it collectors and those who study other types of pistols... what type of German pistol has serial numbers that start with an "S' (or other alpha character) and a hyphen (-) followed by 6 numbers???

Jan C. Still? Are you listening?

alanint · 03-10-2011, 02:58 PM

This looks like a Walther PP or PPK serial number.

The preceeding "S" may not be part of the serial number at all; The "S", followed by a "Dash" may be the signing officer's contraction for the phrase "Serial Number"

Nomadr · 03-10-2011, 08:40 PM

Could be for a variety of German or axis pistols! I've seen papers interpreted many ways according to who was doing the writing! Some times missing or crossing numbers. It was common to leave out the suffix!

My first guess would be a Sauer 38H?? But again, just a guess!
Bob

MikeP · 03-10-2011, 11:43 PM

The guys signing these were just on a detail or temporary assignment for something needing a signature.
Different day, different stuff.

I have a HSc my dad, 506th PIR brought home,
The authorization paper was around when I was a kid.
The OIC at that time had recorded the mismatch mag number instead of the pistol number.
Probably had spent all day signing those things, and that was the 1st number he saw.

Edward Tinker · 03-11-2011, 01:04 AM

Also, see the type (in my books you can see many, many types of bring back certs from WW2).

Prior to being standardized (this is my conjecture, but pretty sure I am right); certificates looked like this, they were typed up and were for soldiers going back or shipping guns home.

After the war, they have a totally different look to them.

The ETO / European Theater of Operations was even more different.

Ed

sheepherder · 03-11-2011, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Also, see the type (in my books you can see many, many types of bring back certs from WW2).

Prior to being standardized (this is my conjecture, but pretty sure I am right); certificates looked like this, they were typed up and were for soldiers going back or shipping guns home.

After the war, they have a totally different look to them.

The ETO / European Theater of Operations was even more different.

Ed

Ed - I am curious; your comment seems to indicate that this certificate did *not* come from ETO...Even though it says "German Pistol" on it...

What is it about it that makes you say that this is from some other theater???

HerbZ · 03-12-2011, 04:02 PM

Thank you all!

I've been thinking about joining the P38, PP, & PPK Forum for years, and this has inspired me to do so. I've made this same posting on that forum too. And indicated the consensus opinion here on the Luger Forum, that this certificate is not for a P08.

03-10-2011, 01:32 PM	#1
HerbZ User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 128 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	GI Bring-back Certificate The attached photo of a GI Bring-back Certificate is suppose to go with a byf 42 with an 8xxx i serial number. This is the first such certificate I've ever seen, either in person or on the Internet. Shouldn't the number written on it be that of the pistol it represents? Wouldn't a six digit number with a letter be more common to a Walther made P-38 than a Mauser made P-08? Attached Thumbnails __________________ "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain

03-10-2011, 01:36 PM	#2
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,522 Times in 940 Posts	It certaintly doesn't go with a luger. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

03-10-2011, 02:55 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I agree with Bill. This bring-back certificate does not belong with a Luger pistol. The form and length of the serial number may give some clue to collectors of other types of military pistols just what type of pistol this certificate was intended to accompany... How about it collectors and those who study other types of pistols... what type of German pistol has serial numbers that start with an "S' (or other alpha character) and a hyphen (-) followed by 6 numbers??? Jan C. Still? Are you listening? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-11-2011, 01:04 AM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Also, see the type (in my books you can see many, many types of bring back certs from WW2). Prior to being standardized (this is my conjecture, but pretty sure I am right); certificates looked like this, they were typed up and were for soldiers going back or shipping guns home. After the war, they have a totally different look to them. The ETO / European Theater of Operations was even more different. 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

03-12-2011, 04:02 PM	#9
HerbZ User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 128 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Thank you all! I've been thinking about joining the P38, PP, & PPK Forum for years, and this has inspired me to do so. I've made this same posting on that forum too. And indicated the consensus opinion here on the Luger Forum, that this certificate is not for a P08. __________________ "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain

03-10-2011, 02:58 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	This looks like a Walther PP or PPK serial number. The preceeding "S" may not be part of the serial number at all; The "S", followed by a "Dash" may be the signing officer's contraction for the phrase "Serial Number"

03-10-2011, 08:40 PM	#5
Nomadr Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 276 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 22 Posts	Could be for a variety of German or axis pistols! I've seen papers interpreted many ways according to who was doing the writing! Some times missing or crossing numbers. It was common to leave out the suffix! My first guess would be a Sauer 38H?? But again, just a guess! Bob

03-10-2011, 11:43 PM	#6
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	The guys signing these were just on a detail or temporary assignment for something needing a signature. Different day, different stuff. I have a HSc my dad, 506th PIR brought home, The authorization paper was around when I was a kid. The OIC at that time had recorded the mismatch mag number instead of the pistol number. Probably had spent all day signing those things, and that was the 1st number he saw.