No Fine tune sights and Unit Marked 1917 L P08 "Artillery"

[DonVoigt]

New to me is this non-fine tune sight variety of the L P08, also with markings to the 254th Reserve Infantry Regiment.

There are four combinations of sight configuration found in the Artillery lugers, all four can be found in/on 1917 dated pistols.

Of the 1917 Artillery Lugers reported in Still's Central Powers Pistols,
the sight combinations are lettered for identity and % of each is shown:

A-Both fine tune: 46%
B-Fine tune rear, fixed front: 38%
C-Neither fine tune: 10%
D-Non fine tune rear, fine tune front: 6%

In 1918, most pistols are found with both non fine tune sights-C type, with some 17% reported with fine tune rear and fixed front sight B type.

I would like to find a 1917 in configuration D and a 1918 in B!
If you have or spot one please let me know.

The 254th Reserve Infantry Regiment was part of the 76th Reserve Division, which was raised in the area of Hesse. The "Hessians" of the US revolution were from this same area.

In 1917 each company of an infantry regiment was supposed to be issued 10 Artillery lugers to form a Storm-troop detachment.
It is thought most of the 1917 production of L P 08 pistols were needed to arm these troops.

This pistol is marked to the 4th company and is weapon #1.

The 76th Division fought on the Eastern Front until early 1918, when it was transferred to the Western Front. The regiment was involved in fighting in Verdun, the Argonne, and "by the end the division was completely used up".

According to the reference book on German Divisions in WWI,
the 2nd Batallion of the 254th Regiment was down to 3 officiers and 75 riflemen on Oct. 28, 1918. I've tried to find the total of men that would have comprised the Batallion, which had 3 or 4 companies, but it would have been a minimum of 400 to 600 men in my estimation. If anyone knows, please add any information. Note from Keoki: " the 1914 TO&E indicates that each Infantry Battalion had twenty-six officers and 1053 enlisted men."

This pistol is in fine condition, matching except replacement beech grips and mis-matched beech base magazine.

Also shown is a card I found from the 254th, being both German language and script challenged, I can't read it!
But I believe it is a commorative post card with Regimental insignia and battles enumerated.

Any help on the translation appreciated!