Unit Marking Help

Beazley · 05-20-2014, 03:45 AM

I'm trying to identify the Unit Markings on my Luger P08. All match (apart from the magazine). The gun is dated 1916, and the number 34 features on all parts. The number 6434 is also present on some parts. I have attached some photos, but can post more if needed:
I will be very grateful for any help with this.

alanint · 05-20-2014, 05:28 AM

Welcome to the forum!

You have not shown us anything we would regard as a unit marking. I think you may be confusing inspection and proof markings for unit markings. Unit markings are usually hand stamped on the pistol's grip area.

That being said, you have a 1916 dated Erfurt Arsenal pistol that appears to have its original finish. Erfurt tended to inspection stamp everything down to the grip screws. The "buffed" appearance seems to be typical of these guns versus the much crisper edges of the DWM guns.

Beazley · 05-20-2014, 06:05 AM

Ah, thank you. I know nothing about these! Here is an image of the hand stamped markings on the grip are.

I can make out: S.S. 47 F1.E.C.

mdrumbore · 05-21-2014, 09:14 PM

The S.S.47. looks like it might be a police unit mark. Which means Schutzpolizei Schneidemühl waffennummer 47. Which was the protection police of the Schneidemühl district weapon number 47, per Don Maus's book History Writ in Steel. The other mark I'm not sure of.

alanint · 05-21-2014, 09:29 PM

Curious that has none of the typical Police Mods as you would expect.

mdrumbore · 05-21-2014, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Curious that has none of the typical Police Mods as you would expect.

I agree, that caught me as interesting when I looked at this at work earlier. Wanted to get home and have a better look with Don's book before I jumped the gun.

George Anderson · 05-21-2014, 10:55 PM

Beazley, If you would repost your unit mark photos so I don't have to lay on my side it would help.

alanint · 05-22-2014, 05:52 AM

George,
I also read S.S. 47 and F1.E.C. but it should be pointed out that the "S.S. 47" reads one way and the "F1.E.C." is inverted from the first mark, leading to the supposition that they are two separate marks applied at different times.

Beazley · 05-22-2014, 06:03 AM

Here are the photos flipped the correct way for easy viewing. With some guidance I can take more pictures if it'll help. Thanks for all the help!

Don M · 05-22-2014, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Curious that has none of the typical Police Mods as you would expect.

The pistol probably was issued to a barracked Bereitschaftspolizei unit that was excluded from the order to add sear and mag safeties.

05-20-2014, 03:45 AM	#1
Beazley New User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 3 Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Unit Marking Help I'm trying to identify the Unit Markings on my Luger P08. All match (apart from the magazine). The gun is dated 1916, and the number 34 features on all parts. The number 6434 is also present on some parts. I have attached some photos, but can post more if needed: I will be very grateful for any help with this. Attached Thumbnails

05-20-2014, 05:28 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Welcome to the forum! You have not shown us anything we would regard as a unit marking. I think you may be confusing inspection and proof markings for unit markings. Unit markings are usually hand stamped on the pistol's grip area. That being said, you have a 1916 dated Erfurt Arsenal pistol that appears to have its original finish. Erfurt tended to inspection stamp everything down to the grip screws. The "buffed" appearance seems to be typical of these guns versus the much crisper edges of the DWM guns. Last edited by alanint; 05-20-2014 at 09:57 AM.

05-20-2014, 06:05 AM	#3
Beazley New User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 3 Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ah, thank you. I know nothing about these! Here is an image of the hand stamped markings on the grip are. I can make out: S.S. 47 F1.E.C. Attached Thumbnails

05-22-2014, 06:03 AM	#9
Beazley New User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 3 Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Here are the photos flipped the correct way for easy viewing. With some guidance I can take more pictures if it'll help. Thanks for all the help! Attached Thumbnails

05-21-2014, 09:14 PM	#4
mdrumbore User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 51 Thanks: 7 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	The S.S.47. looks like it might be a police unit mark. Which means Schutzpolizei Schneidemühl waffennummer 47. Which was the protection police of the Schneidemühl district weapon number 47, per Don Maus's book History Writ in Steel. The other mark I'm not sure of.

05-21-2014, 09:29 PM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Curious that has none of the typical Police Mods as you would expect.

05-21-2014, 10:55 PM	#7
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	Beazley, If you would repost your unit mark photos so I don't have to lay on my side it would help.

05-22-2014, 05:52 AM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	George, I also read S.S. 47 and F1.E.C. but it should be pointed out that the "S.S. 47" reads one way and the "F1.E.C." is inverted from the first mark, leading to the supposition that they are two separate marks applied at different times.