Hogan's Heroes - Col. Klink's Luger

[ScreenUsed]

OK, this is a strange request, but I have acquired Col. Klink's Luger used during the television series Hogan's Heroes. I purchased it from the gun rental company, so I know that the serial number matches rental agreements for the show. I don't recall if he ever pulled the gun out of it's holster, but I have not searched through the episodes yet.

Anyway, this may be the most mismatched gun you guys have seen in a long time. It's value is not with the gun itself but its use on the show; at least for movie prop collecors such as myself. What I'm looking for here is any rough information based on its markings what it may have been used for prior to movie prop rental. I know that the "RKO S208" marking is not original, and was put there by the RKO Studio when they were one of the main movie studios between 1928 and 1957. So this gun was most likely used in some of the older war movies as well, prior to landing in Werner Klemperer's hands on Hogan's Heroes.

Any thoughts or information is appreciated. Please ignore the condition, as this looks like it was treated pretty badly. The hex bolt in the barrel is there to protect the actors from any stray material flying out when shooting blanks (which is what killed actor Brandon Lee on set years ago).

...Desi DosSantos
www.screenused.com

[Dwight Gruber]

Desi,

Welcome to the Forum. You have presented us with a very interesting curio.

Several things can be deduced from the markings on the gun. The receiver and barrel are from a WWI military Luger made in 1917. The proof and inspection stamps on the right receiver and the barrel are completely normal for this. Any other part serial numbered 21 belongs to this receiver. It looks like the breechblock has a DWM proof, it would be interesting to know what number is stamped, hidden by the receiver rail, beneath it.

The frame serial number 765a is almost certainly from a WWI military DWM as well. The a suffix indicates that it cannot be post-war commercial production, which began with the i suffix. Any parts which are serial numbered 65 originated with the frame. In case you don't know, the frame serial number is the legal serial number of the gun, including the letter suffix.

The Germany stamp on the left frame rail indicates that the gun was surplused and exported to the US for commercial sale after the end of WWI, most likely in the '20s. It was likely a complete gun at the time, but there is no way to know for sure. The stamping itself is unusual; almost all the Luger export marks one sees are in all upper-case letters, e.g. GERMANY.

The sideplate is not numbered on its face; if it is numbered on the bottom edge it originated with a commercial Luger.

It is interesting that the stock lug has been ground off.

Other than to observe that none of the visible parts appear to be from an Erfurt manufactured gun, I can't find anything else useful to say about this piece. If you do find the gun visible in any of the episodes, please send along frame grabs so they can be included in the Movie Luger list.

--Dwight

[LugerVern]

This is a cool Luger!

What do you make of the 30 on top of the barrel? Year maybe?

Vern

[Edward Tinker]

Welcome to the forum!

If there is provenance, then I think it is very cool Col Klink was such an intersting charector, and a show I grew up with.


Randy Bessler bought a bunch of guns from Stonebridge or the like and I was tempted; as guns like this are fascinating to own (at least to me)

Well done,

Ed

[Pete Ebbink]

Wonder if the RKO and property tag stamping is from the RKO Picture Studio days...???

RKO was in existence from 1928 through 1957....even Howard Hugh owned them for a time...

[ScreenUsed]

Thanks for the info guys! I did purchase this from Stembridge, along with a few other guns such as Indy's gun from Raiders, Arnold's spinning shotgun from T2, Mel Gibson's Baretta from Lethal Weapon, etc. I'm extremely new to guns, so I may have to ask for help on the name of the parts.

How would I see what number is stamped under the receiver rail?

The sideplate has number 87 on the bottom.

I was curious about the 30 on the barrel as well since I have not seen any other examples like that.

According to Stembridge, it was used by Col. Klink. I have been talking with Syd Stembridge lately and working with him to dig through the old rental agreements to see if he can locate the original rental paperwork showing that as well. I have 6 seasons of episodes to work through as well, but that is part of the hunt with props.

The RKO stamp is definitely the studio from 1928-1957, I have seen this on other props. This indicates to me that it was used in potentially several of the early war movies, then found it's way to Stembridge, then on the Hogan's Heroes and most likely several other shows and movies.

Desi

[Pete Ebbink]

Desi,

The plug in the muzzle end would kill most interest in this gun, especially as a shooter.

But movie memorabilia is a differing area of collectibles...

The size of the "30" on the top of the barrel and the "RKO S208" stamping on the left panel seem to be similar is size/font.

Maybe the "S208" was RKO's asset tag ID but the "30" was some inventory/bin/locator number...???...just a WAG.

[ScreenUsed]

Yes, I agree, for gun collectors this would be a very bad example. Actually, the plug in the muzzle is a positive for movie prop collectors as it can't possibly be fired so it's safer in a prop collection. I'm a bit nervous about my Indy gun as it is still in firing condition; however there is no ammuntion in the house. I'm obviously not an experienced gun collector.

In looking at it, the 30 does look the same size and font, so it's probably a good assumption that RKO put it there for some reason. Maybe they just had a big parts box and slapped the guns together as needed. This gun shows that with the various numbers all over it.

Desi

[Ron Smith]

Desi,

What caliber is the "Indy" gun? If I recall correctly it's a Smith & Wesson isn't it? Can you post some photos of it also?

Thanks..

Ron

[Mauser720]

Hello ScreenUsed -

Well, regarding this statement, I do have one comment:

"Actually, the plug in the muzzle is a positive for movie prop collectors as it can't possibly be fired so it's safer in a prop collection."

Having a bolt screwed into the end of the barrel does not by itself mean that this pistol can not be fired. Please check the chamber to see what is in there (if anything). The reason for checking the chamber is this: If it is an empty chamber and could still hold a "live" round, it is always possible that the gun could fire this round and blow itself up. If this gun is otherwise still functional (as for example used in the firing of blanks), then firing it in this condition will kill or injure the shooter and anone else in the vicinity.

Please take a moment to (1) verify whether the chamber is sealed off; and (2) with absolutely nothing in the gun's chamber, verify whether it will **** and fire or "click" when you pull the trigger.

Someday you will not own this prop any longer, and until you personally verify otherwise, it could be very dangerous in the hands of someone who does not know what they are doing. (And your original post does mention something about firing blanks on the TV set, etc.)

Nevertheless, it is a great piece of TV show memorabilia. Thank you for sharing.

Mauser720 - Ron

[ScreenUsed]

Sorry I should have mentioned, the trigger is physically broken inside as well.

As for the Raiders gun:

IndyGear forum message

Not sure if you need an account to view the forum messages.

Desi

[Ron Smith]

Desi,

Thanks very much. The link worked fine. A very interesting piece, with an even more interesting alteration.

Best to you...

Ron