Lower grip strap marking???

Mike B · 07-20-2009, 10:15 PM

Greetings fellow forum members,
I recently acquired this mis-matched, refinished Luger. There are some unusual marking on the lower part of the inner grip strap. Can anyone shed some light on what these marking might mean?

Mike

Edward Tinker · 07-20-2009, 10:56 PM

yes Mike I can.

Its in Don Maus new book.

My first collector unit marked luger I got from Bill Munis is a S.P.D.

yours stands for

S.P.M.

Saxony

SÃ¤chsische Polizei MeiÃ?en

Saxon State Police, MeiÃ?en

Courtesy of Don Maus' fine book.

Ed

Don M · 07-20-2009, 11:18 PM

Mike, Ed has it exactly correct. MeiÃ?en was the location of the Saxon State Police School. I have observed only one other Luger and one Mauser M1914 with this marking. Both probably came from the school. Could you provide me with more details on the pistol: maker, frame serial # & suffix, sear and mag safety? Also, any chance you can take a clearer photo of the marking that I could use in a future publication?

Mike B · 07-21-2009, 08:26 AM

Greetings,
Unfortunately, this Luger is a composite of parts and has been refinished and buffed. However, the frame serial number is visible, but the suffix has been partially removed. I cannot tell who the maker was, as the toggle has been replaced. However, I would suspect it is Erfurt or DWM, as it appears to be an early frame. Hopefully these photos will help in your research.

Mike

Don M · 07-21-2009, 12:36 PM

Mike, thanks for the additional photos. I suspect this pistol was put together after WWI from available parts. The 1920 stamp on the chamber looks more like a government property stamp than a manufacture date.

The suffix looks like a "u" but the tail on the right side is puzzling. Is this real or a photographic artifact?

I don't see any evidence of a sear or mag safety in the photos. Is this correct?

Mike B · 07-21-2009, 09:01 PM

The suffix looks like an "n" to me, when compared to the various suffix letters provided on the forum Tech page. The only safety is the conventional thumb safety.

Mike

07-20-2009, 10:15 PM	#1
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	Lower grip strap marking??? Greetings fellow forum members, I recently acquired this mis-matched, refinished Luger. There are some unusual marking on the lower part of the inner grip strap. Can anyone shed some light on what these marking might mean? Mike Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

07-20-2009, 10:56 PM	#2
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	yes Mike I can. Its in Don Maus new book. My first collector unit marked luger I got from Bill Munis is a S.P.D. yours stands for S.P.M. Saxony SÃ¤chsische Polizei MeiÃ?en Saxon State Police, MeiÃ?en Courtesy of Don Maus' fine book. 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

07-20-2009, 11:18 PM	#3
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Mike, Ed has it exactly correct. MeiÃ?en was the location of the Saxon State Police School. I have observed only one other Luger and one Mauser M1914 with this marking. Both probably came from the school. Could you provide me with more details on the pistol: maker, frame serial # & suffix, sear and mag safety? Also, any chance you can take a clearer photo of the marking that I could use in a future publication? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

07-21-2009, 08:26 AM	#4
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	Many thanks for the informative reply Greetings, Unfortunately, this Luger is a composite of parts and has been refinished and buffed. However, the frame serial number is visible, but the suffix has been partially removed. I cannot tell who the maker was, as the toggle has been replaced. However, I would suspect it is Erfurt or DWM, as it appears to be an early frame. Hopefully these photos will help in your research. Mike Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

07-21-2009, 12:36 PM	#5
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Mike, thanks for the additional photos. I suspect this pistol was put together after WWI from available parts. The 1920 stamp on the chamber looks more like a government property stamp than a manufacture date. The suffix looks like a "u" but the tail on the right side is puzzling. Is this real or a photographic artifact? I don't see any evidence of a sear or mag safety in the photos. Is this correct? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

07-21-2009, 09:01 PM	#6
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	Don, here is one more picture The suffix looks like an "n" to me, when compared to the various suffix letters provided on the forum Tech page. The only safety is the conventional thumb safety. Mike Attached Images