VOPO mystery

jeffs · 03-18-2010, 11:25 AM

Dear Experts:

Could you please help me with this barrel mystery? I have a 1912 DWM luger that was subsequently drafted into Weimar era police service (the telltale signs of formerly having a Schiwy safety), captured by the Russians (the ubiquitous “black dip”), and then refurbished for/by the VOPO’s (new byf toggle train and sear bar of unknown origin, all renumbered to match the 1912 original number, a VOPO shield, and two VOPO mags numbered to the pistol). The mystery is the barrel, which bears a superimposed TP and an eagle, but was NOT dipped in black. My understanding is that the TP indicates after the mid-1930’s, when the abbreviation/name for the Technische Polizei und Verkehrs Schule was changed to just Technische Polizei Schule. How would the VOPO’s have gotten their hands on a new 1930’s barrel? Didn’t they use their own new barrels, marked Crown/N ? Who manufactured the barrel? A picture of the marking on the barrel is attached.

Thanks,
Jeff

Dwight Gruber · 03-18-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffs

The mystery is the barrel, which bears a superimposed TP and an eagle, but was NOT dipped in black.

Jeff,

Your understanding of the armory practices of the Deutsche Volkspolizei is essentially correct, and you have provided the essence of the answer to your own question.

The barrel having a different finish from the rest of the gun indicates that it was replaced after the gun was 'dipped'. The TP/eagle stamping indicates that the barrel is not new, but originally assembled to a gun and proofed in the 1930s. The absence of DVP barrel markings suggests that the replacement was done privately, when or by whom cannot be known. It does appear that the front sight has been positioned backwards.

If there is a mark on the upper-left quadrant of the barrel, it will help establish the barrel's origin.

--Dwight

jeffs · 03-18-2010, 01:20 PM

Do you know who would have manufactured the barrel? Would it be a Simson?

JEff

Dwight Gruber · 03-18-2010, 03:04 PM

Is there a mark on the barrel's left side?

John Sabato · 03-18-2010, 04:25 PM

Could we also see a couple more closeups of the front sight, which from this first photograph, looks like it is installed in the dovetail backwards!

jeffs · 03-18-2010, 07:17 PM

No other original marks at all on the left side of the barrel. Just a faint import mark, and the usual 8.83 under the barrel.

Jeff

Pictures tomorrow!

Dwight Gruber · 03-19-2010, 06:28 AM

Jeff,

If there are no markings on the left it is truly impossible to know who might have made this barrel.

--Dwight

jamese · 03-19-2010, 07:06 AM

Good eye John !
I think you are right, it looks backwards

Jim

jeffs · 03-19-2010, 08:57 AM

Here is a picture from the other side.

Jeff

03-18-2010, 11:25 AM	#1
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	VOPO mystery Dear Experts: Could you please help me with this barrel mystery? I have a 1912 DWM luger that was subsequently drafted into Weimar era police service (the telltale signs of formerly having a Schiwy safety), captured by the Russians (the ubiquitous “black dip”), and then refurbished for/by the VOPO’s (new byf toggle train and sear bar of unknown origin, all renumbered to match the 1912 original number, a VOPO shield, and two VOPO mags numbered to the pistol). The mystery is the barrel, which bears a superimposed TP and an eagle, but was NOT dipped in black. My understanding is that the TP indicates after the mid-1930’s, when the abbreviation/name for the Technische Polizei und Verkehrs Schule was changed to just Technische Polizei Schule. How would the VOPO’s have gotten their hands on a new 1930’s barrel? Didn’t they use their own new barrels, marked Crown/N ? Who manufactured the barrel? A picture of the marking on the barrel is attached. Thanks, Jeff Attached Thumbnails

03-18-2010, 04:25 PM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Could we also see a couple more closeups of the front sight, which from this first photograph, looks like it is installed in the dovetail backwards! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-19-2010, 07:06 AM	#8
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	Good eye John ! I think you are right, it looks backwards Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

03-19-2010, 08:57 AM	#9
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here is a picture from the other side. Jeff Attached Thumbnails

03-18-2010, 01:20 PM	#3
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Do you know who would have manufactured the barrel? Would it be a Simson? JEff

03-18-2010, 03:04 PM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Is there a mark on the barrel's left side?

03-18-2010, 07:17 PM	#6
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No other original marks at all on the left side of the barrel. Just a faint import mark, and the usual 8.83 under the barrel. Jeff Pictures tomorrow!

03-19-2010, 06:28 AM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Jeff, If there are no markings on the left it is truly impossible to know who might have made this barrel. --Dwight