ORION marking

Voelker · 10-23-2006, 07:54 PM

Hi!

I bought a P 08 made by S/42 (Mauser) in 1937.
The pistol was (IMHO) in duty in the former GDR (Crown ower N) but without "VoPo-Star" (it seems not in East Germany police duty).

At the left side, at the system, not the grip, under the weapons no. there is a weak stamp "ORION".

Do somebody know, what it should be?

(Sorry for poor English, IÃ?Â´m German)

Tank you in adavance!

Voelker · 10-23-2006, 07:57 PM

Sorry, It should be: "Thank you in advance!"
(In this forum is no possibilility to edit the own post?)

Ron Wood · 10-23-2006, 08:33 PM

Your English is excellent, and yes, you can edit your comments on this forum. Just click on the edit icon in the lower right corner of your post.

Ron Smith · 10-24-2006, 08:57 AM

Steffen,

If this Luger was in the U.S. I would guess that "ORION" was the name of the importer. I don't know if Germany requires that importer's marks be applied or not. Or even allow importation of firearms.

Ron

Voelker · 10-25-2006, 04:17 AM

@All: Thanks!

@Ron:
Yes, indeed, but I guess, thus gun didnÃ?Â´t leave Germany.

I try to add a picture.

Voelker · 10-25-2006, 04:20 AM

Sorry, something is wrong.
There is no EDIT-button ???

Vlim · 10-25-2006, 08:10 AM

Hi,

There is, it's somewhat concealed.

Try hitting this one:

Your pistol was probably imported from former Eastern Germany around or slightly after the fall of the wall. The proofs on the pistol are East-German Suhl proofs and Orion is probably the West-German importer.

I once had a former VoPo which was imported by Klett in 1989.

JuergenG · 10-30-2006, 01:15 AM

"Orion" is a trademark of Hege.
http://www.hege-arms.com/

Voelker · 10-31-2006, 01:53 PM

Thank you very much!!!

JuergenG · 10-31-2006, 02:32 PM

Die Welt ist klein.....

Voelker · 10-31-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JuergenG
Die Welt ist klein.....

Edward Tinker · 10-31-2006, 04:14 PM

Juergen, glad to see you back, so doubly

ed

JuergenG · 11-01-2006, 02:45 AM

I was lurking, as I didn't have much to contribute - at least no Luger acquisitions.
This might change quickly, as I'm now holding a collector's permit,
taking away some limitations - except the bank account.
I've been pretty active in the FN/CZ/Walther/Mauser/Dreyse area.

Voelker · 11-02-2006, 01:52 PM

Here is one crossed marking on the top of pistol.

Voelker · 11-02-2006, 01:56 PM

Here:

Do somebody kwows, what that should be?

Vlim · 11-02-2006, 03:18 PM

Hi,

It's simply the last 2-digits of a former serial number that have been X-ed out. The crown/N on the toggle and the reblueing of the gun, together with the sear safety slot without sear safety points towards an Eastern German DDR 'VoPo' rebuilt pistol, again.

Parts not numbered to the gun were frequently crossed out. These were parts cannibalised from other guns.

Voelker · 11-02-2006, 05:50 PM

Thanks - now I see a X-ed out "42".

I know, this gun is reworked in GDR (Crown oven N, for instance - new barrel as minimum)
But there is no VoPo star, indeed.

(I do not collect guns, IÃ?Â´m a sports shooter - but I very want to know the history of the guns I own)

Dwight Gruber · 11-02-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Voelker
But there is no VoPo star, indeed.

Possibly reworked but never issued?

--Dwight

Vlim · 11-03-2006, 04:40 AM

Hi,

It appears that the VoPo guns can be found in several configurations. The police guns had the star, the guns of the regular armed forces hadn't.

Dwight is correct that there also was a considerable amount of unissued guns in storage, that were sold off at several moments during the 1970's and 1980's and after the reunion of both Germanies.

reich1900 · 11-04-2006, 09:37 AM

Since we have a few German members here ( Ich bin auch Deutsch aus Frankfurt a/M) I have a question for you? What happens if you find a pistol or rifle from WW2 that still is in working order like hidden somewhere. Who would you report it to and can you keep it if you have a permit? Can you export a personal weapon? Any information would be appreciated.
Bernd

10-23-2006, 07:54 PM	#1
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ORION marking Hi! I bought a P 08 made by S/42 (Mauser) in 1937. The pistol was (IMHO) in duty in the former GDR (Crown ower N) but without "VoPo-Star" (it seems not in East Germany police duty). At the left side, at the system, not the grip, under the weapons no. there is a weak stamp "ORION". Do somebody know, what it should be? (Sorry for poor English, IÃ?Â´m German) Tank you in adavance!

10-23-2006, 08:33 PM	#3
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: 7,005 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 5,139 Times in 1,689 Posts	Your English is excellent, and yes, you can edit your comments on this forum. Just click on the edit icon in the lower right corner of your post. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-24-2006, 08:57 AM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Steffen, If this Luger was in the U.S. I would guess that "ORION" was the name of the importer. I don't know if Germany requires that importer's marks be applied or not. Or even allow importation of firearms. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-25-2006, 04:20 AM	#6
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry, something is wrong. There is no EDIT-button ??? Attached Images

10-31-2006, 04:14 PM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	Juergen, glad to see you back, so doubly 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

10-23-2006, 07:57 PM	#2
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry, It should be: "Thank you in advance!" (In this forum is no possibilility to edit the own post?)

10-25-2006, 04:17 AM	#5
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	@All: Thanks! @Ron: Yes, indeed, but I guess, thus gun didnÃ?Â´t leave Germany. I try to add a picture.

10-25-2006, 08:10 AM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,987 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi, There is, it's somewhat concealed. Try hitting this one: Your pistol was probably imported from former Eastern Germany around or slightly after the fall of the wall. The proofs on the pistol are East-German Suhl proofs and Orion is probably the West-German importer. I once had a former VoPo which was imported by Klett in 1989.

10-30-2006, 01:15 AM	#8
JuergenG User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 155 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	"Orion" is a trademark of Hege. http://www.hege-arms.com/

10-31-2006, 01:53 PM	#9
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you very much!!!

10-31-2006, 02:32 PM	#10
JuergenG User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 155 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Die Welt ist klein.....

11-01-2006, 02:45 AM	#13
JuergenG User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 155 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I was lurking, as I didn't have much to contribute - at least no Luger acquisitions. This might change quickly, as I'm now holding a collector's permit, taking away some limitations - except the bank account. I've been pretty active in the FN/CZ/Walther/Mauser/Dreyse area.

11-02-2006, 01:52 PM	#14
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here is one crossed marking on the top of pistol. Attached Images

11-02-2006, 01:56 PM	#15
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here: Do somebody kwows, what that should be? Attached Thumbnails

11-02-2006, 03:18 PM	#16
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,987 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi, It's simply the last 2-digits of a former serial number that have been X-ed out. The crown/N on the toggle and the reblueing of the gun, together with the sear safety slot without sear safety points towards an Eastern German DDR 'VoPo' rebuilt pistol, again. Parts not numbered to the gun were frequently crossed out. These were parts cannibalised from other guns.

11-02-2006, 05:50 PM	#17
Voelker User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks - now I see a X-ed out "42". I know, this gun is reworked in GDR (Crown oven N, for instance - new barrel as minimum) But there is no VoPo star, indeed. (I do not collect guns, IÃ?Â´m a sports shooter - but I very want to know the history of the guns I own)

11-03-2006, 04:40 AM	#19
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,987 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi, It appears that the VoPo guns can be found in several configurations. The police guns had the star, the guns of the regular armed forces hadn't. Dwight is correct that there also was a considerable amount of unissued guns in storage, that were sold off at several moments during the 1970's and 1980's and after the reunion of both Germanies.

11-04-2006, 09:37 AM	#20
reich1900 User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Since we have a few German members here ( Ich bin auch Deutsch aus Frankfurt a/M) I have a question for you? What happens if you find a pistol or rifle from WW2 that still is in working order like hidden somewhere. Who would you report it to and can you keep it if you have a permit? Can you export a personal weapon? Any information would be appreciated. Bernd