Two P.08 DWM "1918" Unit Marked Lugers

[JoeP.08]

I met Ron Wood a few weeks ago at the NAPCA convention in TN. I told him that I was a Luger Forum member and that I recognized his name. I told him that I read the threads but seldom post. He told me in a direct but polite way that I should contribute to the forum. Mr.Wood, I believe you prefer 1918 and earlier.

What I have here are two P.08 DWM "1918" chamber dated regimental marked Lugers. I have had these for some time. The later production was one of the first I purchased when I first started concentrating on Lugers. According to Jan Still's "Imperial Lugers and Their Accessories", 1994, about 1% of the '18 P.08's reported were "unit marked". I believe that puts the unit marked '18 on the scarce side.

First is P.08 DWM "1918", s/n 4360, which makes it a relatively early year production. The regimental mark was placed on the front grip strap, near the bottom. "B.8.R.9.K" or Bayerisches 8th Infanterie Regiment 9th Kompagnie.

[JoeP.08]

Chamber date

[JoeP.08]

S/N's on barrel and frame

[JoeP.08]

Proof marks

[JoeP.08]

Regimental mark

[JoeP.08]

Second P.08 DWM "1918" s/n 368c, side view

[JoeP.08]

"1918" Chamber date

[JoeP.08]

S/N's on barrel and frame

[JoeP.08]

Proof marks

[JoeP.08]

Regimental mark on the front grip strap, near the middle. "J.R.149.4.K" or 149th Jager Infanterie Regiment 4th Kompagnie.

[George Anderson]

Interesting markings. The second is Infantry Regiment 149 not Jaeger Regiment. I have an '08 marked to the Bavarian 8th Infantry Regiment.

[JoeP.08]

Hi George:

How are you? Thanks for replying. What's the trick to interpreting Regimentals? I thought the "J" was for "Jager" or rifleman? It seems on some unit marks you have to go beyond the literal translations. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

[Heinz]

Joe, very nice 1918s. I have attached a few pictures of my 1918 for comparison. My observation is that on the early 1918s the ONLY degradation in quality is on the finish. The blue is not so polished and there are more internal machining marks but the seems to be no degradation in fit or function. And no mismatched serial numbers :-)

The biggest trick for Imperial Regimental Marks is Jeff Nolls book "The Imperial German Regimental Marking." They are out of print now so it would be good to get one before they go through the roof.

[Mauser720]

Joe -

On the early Mauser rifles, (model 1871) there was a type known as the "Jager" and this meant "Scout." It was issued to those member of the Imperial Army who were "scouts." So this won't help with what the "J" means on your pistol; however, the term "Jager" does mean "scout."

Mauser720

[Ron Smith]

Joe,

Nice Lugers and with very nice unit marks.

Unit marking was ordered to cease early in 1917. Obviously not every unit got the message, or they chose to ignore it.

Unit marked 1918s are scarce. To have two of them is a stroke of luck. To have a J�¤ger unit marked 1918 would be the ultimate and highly desirable scarcity.


The letter "J" was used to designate "Infantry" because roman numerals were used to indicate Army Corps or Abteilung (detatchment). So the "1st Army Corps or 1st Abteilung" would be designated with an "I" which tends to confuse the issue.

J�¤ger unit marks are usually marked with just a "J" or "J.B." J�¤ger Battalion. As for example, 4.J.1.K. or 4.J.B.1.K. which would translate to 4th J�¤ger Battalion 1st Company. J.P. or J.z.P. translates to J�¤ger zu Pferde, or "Hunters to Horses" a mounted / cavalry J�¤ger unit.




I thought that I would throw mine into the mix. A 1918 Erfurt unit marked on the back strap, to the 474th Infantry Regiment 1st Machine Gun Company weapon #50.











Ron,

J�¤ger actually translates to Hunter, but you are correct in that J�¤ger units were used as Advance Scouts. J�¤ger units were made up of Professional Hunters, Woodsmen and/or men who were at home in the wild who had the ability to forage and survive in the wilderness.

Ron

[JoeP.08]

Hi Heinz:
Nice to talk to you again. We spoke a little at NAPCA at mine and Leo's Navy display. I have the Knoll book, but I don't believe it is absolutely definitive in translating unit marks. Like Ron Smith states there was an order to unit mark then an order to cease. But like any other organization, alot of times orders were not followed to the "t". Thanks for the reply.
Ron:
Nice Erfurt! I saw the original posting, very nice! I have a few LP.08's with unit marks that I'll post at a later date. Thank you for replying.
Joe

[Ron Wood]

Joe,
Thanks for jumping into the pool with the rest of us! A really great way to start off...those are a couple of super pieces and the photography is excellent. Your post has also stimulated some very informative dialogue and got shy Ron Smith to run his example out to complete a fine trio of 1918 unit marked Lugers. You have a lot to contribute and I am glad you started. Anticipate seeing those LP.08s.
Best regards,
Ron

[Ron Smith]

Shy!?? Timid maybe, but never shy...

Joe,

It would be great to see the unit marked LP.08s.

Ron

[LU1900]

..........

[Balder]

More Bayerische 8th regiment, this time on a 1911 DWM without hold-open.

Balder