Unit Marking ID Help

stefanosg · 04-20-2008, 07:50 PM

I came across a gentleman at the range today who was shooting a Luger. During his reloading I took the opportunity to speak with him about his piece. It turned out to be an Erfurt with a 1914 stamp and then a 1920 below that. The gun is all matching except for the magazine, kind of. It was an aluminum bottom so I initial thought a same numbered WWII mag. Then I got to thinking maybe arsenal reissue. Upon closer inspection I found some unit markings on the magazine and subsequently the same on the pistol itself. The markings read B.S.385 . I am not very good at deciphering these and am just curious top find out more about this pistol.

What would be more likely here? The magazine is original with a replacement bottom, or the magazine is a reissue and both the pistol and magazine were stamped in 1920. I guess the meaning of the unit markings will help deternmine that huh?

Thanks in advance,
Steven

Don M · 04-20-2008, 10:23 PM

Steven, the markings are from the Schupo of Braunschweig. Do you recall if the pistol had a sear or mag safety?

stefanosg · 04-21-2008, 04:30 PM

Thanks. It has a sear safety.

04-20-2008, 07:50 PM	#1
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Unit Marking ID Help I came across a gentleman at the range today who was shooting a Luger. During his reloading I took the opportunity to speak with him about his piece. It turned out to be an Erfurt with a 1914 stamp and then a 1920 below that. The gun is all matching except for the magazine, kind of. It was an aluminum bottom so I initial thought a same numbered WWII mag. Then I got to thinking maybe arsenal reissue. Upon closer inspection I found some unit markings on the magazine and subsequently the same on the pistol itself. The markings read B.S.385 . I am not very good at deciphering these and am just curious top find out more about this pistol. What would be more likely here? The magazine is original with a replacement bottom, or the magazine is a reissue and both the pistol and magazine were stamped in 1920. I guess the meaning of the unit markings will help deternmine that huh? Thanks in advance, Steven __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

04-20-2008, 10:23 PM	#2
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Steven, the markings are from the Schupo of Braunschweig. Do you recall if the pistol had a sear or mag safety? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

04-21-2008, 04:30 PM	#3
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks. It has a sear safety. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."