Dutch East Indies

Forester Don · 08-23-2015, 05:59 PM

A story. Within the last week i inherited my father in laws Luger he brought back from the pacific. I will try to get pic of it. It is in very good shape.

He was stationed at Henderson Field when it was attacked. After the attack his story was that they opened up whare houses and offered any fire arm to any one interested. Does not sound like the military to me, but more a plundered firearm.

Any way, serial number puts it in the DEA air force run, the tag found on the left side of such firearms is missing, which kinda fits the military. All numbers match.

Interesting addition to my collection, and, an heirloom.

Edward Tinker · 08-23-2015, 08:44 PM

Don, welcome to the forum

Pictures, good description are needed to help you accurately.

Ed

Forester Don · 08-23-2015, 10:23 PM

Cannot figure out photo upload. So, grip safety, OLK, numbers match, pinned wood magazine base, crown N, 12,000 serial range, grip safety, walnut grips both with serial number.

Ron Wood · 08-24-2015, 12:32 AM

Don,
You are describing a Dutch KOL Luger. Lugers marked in this fashion were delivered under contract to the Dutch East Indies Army in August and September of 1928 and were fabricated by BKIW (Berlin-Karlsruher Industrie Werke, the successor to DWM). The serial numbers for this contract were from 10182 to 14001, which would include your example. For a long time folks thought the KL marking in a circle indicated “Koninklijke Luchtmacht” or Dutch Royal Air Force, which would explain your reference to “DEA air force run” (I think you meant to type DEI rather than DEA

). However, in 1928 the Dutch air service was still part of the Army (much like the air force was originally part of the US Army and later became its own separate branch, US Air Force). Likewise the Dutch Royal Air Force did not become its own branch until after 1930, therefore obviously KOL could not be a Royal Air Force designation in 1928. So until information to the contrary is discovered, It is now generally accepted that the marking may represent “Kolonien” or “colonies”.
Ron

Sergio Natali · 08-24-2015, 06:46 AM

Don

No much to say after Ron's explanation.
Ayway in my small collection I've got a Dutch Knil marked Luger # 12761
It's a "New Model" but is not in a very good state. Actually I've always believed that because of the extremely damp weather of the West Indies very few really managed to "survive".

Rgds

Sergio

Forester Don · 08-24-2015, 10:02 AM

Sergio, the serial on mine is 40 some odd above yours, condition is very good, as you will see if I ever figure out the photo upload procedure

Forester Don · 08-24-2015, 10:04 AM

Ron, my father in law was in the Army Air Corps when he picked this up in December, 1941, ended up flying most of his military career in the Pacific Islands.

Thanks for the info

Ron Wood · 08-24-2015, 10:34 AM

Don, you are quite welcome. Great history on your gun!
Ron

Forester Don · 08-25-2015, 07:58 PM

Forester Don · 08-25-2015, 07:59 PM

Forester Don · 08-25-2015, 07:59 PM

I finally figured it out, don't know how, but,,,,,

Forester Don · 08-26-2015, 03:17 PM

It is a DMW

08-23-2015, 05:59 PM	#1
Forester Don User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 13 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Dutch East Indies A story. Within the last week i inherited my father in laws Luger he brought back from the pacific. I will try to get pic of it. It is in very good shape. He was stationed at Henderson Field when it was attacked. After the attack his story was that they opened up whare houses and offered any fire arm to any one interested. Does not sound like the military to me, but more a plundered firearm. Any way, serial number puts it in the DEA air force run, the tag found on the left side of such firearms is missing, which kinda fits the military. All numbers match. Interesting addition to my collection, and, an heirloom.

08-23-2015, 08:44 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	Don, welcome to the forum Pictures, good description are needed to help you accurately. 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

08-24-2015, 12:32 AM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	Don, You are describing a Dutch KOL Luger. Lugers marked in this fashion were delivered under contract to the Dutch East Indies Army in August and September of 1928 and were fabricated by BKIW (Berlin-Karlsruher Industrie Werke, the successor to DWM). The serial numbers for this contract were from 10182 to 14001, which would include your example. For a long time folks thought the KL marking in a circle indicated “Koninklijke Luchtmacht” or Dutch Royal Air Force, which would explain your reference to “DEA air force run” (I think you meant to type DEI rather than DEA ). However, in 1928 the Dutch air service was still part of the Army (much like the air force was originally part of the US Army and later became its own separate branch, US Air Force). Likewise the Dutch Royal Air Force did not become its own branch until after 1930, therefore obviously KOL could not be a Royal Air Force designation in 1928. So until information to the contrary is discovered, It is now generally accepted that the marking may represent “Kolonien” or “colonies”. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-24-2015, 06:46 AM	#5
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Don No much to say after Ron's explanation. Ayway in my small collection I've got a Dutch Knil marked Luger # 12761 It's a "New Model" but is not in a very good state. Actually I've always believed that because of the extremely damp weather of the West Indies very few really managed to "survive". Rgds Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-24-2015, 10:34 AM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	Don, you are quite welcome. Great history on your gun! Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-23-2015, 10:23 PM	#3
Forester Don User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 13 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Cannot figure out photo upload. So, grip safety, OLK, numbers match, pinned wood magazine base, crown N, 12,000 serial range, grip safety, walnut grips both with serial number.

08-24-2015, 10:02 AM	#6
Forester Don User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 13 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Sergio, the serial on mine is 40 some odd above yours, condition is very good, as you will see if I ever figure out the photo upload procedure

08-24-2015, 10:04 AM	#7
Forester Don User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 13 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ron, my father in law was in the Army Air Corps when he picked this up in December, 1941, ended up flying most of his military career in the Pacific Islands. Thanks for the info

08-25-2015, 07:58 PM	#9
Forester Don User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 13 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

08-25-2015, 07:59 PM	#10
Forester Don User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 13 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

08-26-2015, 03:17 PM	#12
Forester Don User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 13 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It is a DMW