L.M.K. 26 Unit Markings

[Maestro]

Is anyone familiar with the markings " L.M.K. 26" on a 1914 Erfurt Artillery Luger?

[Maestro]

I have found the following possible explanation for a very similar unit marking of Joop van de Kant

10-08-2004, 12:06 AM
L.M.K.72 = Leichte Munitions Kolonne Nr.72 n/A.
Source : H.R.von Stein, Munitionskolonnen und Trains 1914/18 in ZfH.

Klaus

http://luger.gunboards.com/archive/i...hp/t-2391.html

And what means Leichten-Munitions-Kolonnen (L.M.K.) :

The Munitions Supply Columns

Initially the men of the Infanterie- and Artillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen were trained and supplied by the Feldartillerie, while the Füßartillerie formed its own Munitions-Kolonnen, the latter being under the command of the various Armeekorps. In addition to this, the Feldartillerie-Abteilungen and Füßartillerie-Bataillons at the front had their own Leichten-Munitions-Kolonnen.

In autumn 1916 the complicated system of Infantry and Artillery munitions columns for Active, Reserve and Landwehr units was discontinued and all columns were regrouped as "Munitions-Kolonnen neuer Art (new style)". Once the restructuring of the Army under Hindenburg and Ludendorff had taken place the "neuer Art" was discontinued and replaced by a central numbering system and 507 Munitions-Kolonnen were created to supply both the Infanterie and Feldartillerie .

At the beginning of 1917 the Leichte-Munitions-Kolonnen (Light munitions columns) were taken from their respective Feldartillerie units and renumbered centrally under Armee level command forming 785 columns for the Artillery. (Note: “Armee level”:Under the direct command of the Army they were attached to.) A third group, the Füßartillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen-Abteilungen and the Leichten-Füßartillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen were amalgamated as Armee level Füßartillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen, which for practical reasons (with the exception of eleven which stayed at Armee level) were later reassigned as Battery level columns when the Füßartillerie units became horse drawn and needed a more flexible supply chain.

http://www.kaiserscross.com/76001/76022.html

Here's a post-card featuring LEICHTE MUNITIONS KOLONNEN 209, (L.M.K. 209) APRIL 1917

[Maestro]

..and one of L.M.K. 827

[Maestro]

BTW, I also came across this Online Book: Historische Rang- und Stammliste des deutschen Heeres, Klaus von Bredow, Ernst von Wedel, Berlin: Scherl 1905. This book has a complete history of the German army, its staff and its units from before 1654 up to 1905. Also on-line at Preussischer Militargeschichte, where information is constantly added to complete the history up to 1914.
http://www.grosser-generalstab.de/index.html

[Maestro]

Imperial German ID tag (Erkennungsmarken) Leichte Munition Kolone 1332

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/46...og-tags/page-3

[Maestro]

some unit marked Lugers: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/60...perial-lugers/
1. 1915 DWM s/n 5303c with Regimental marking, 1.M.G.21.A., Maschinengewehr-(Scharfschutzen) Abteilung 21. Kompanie 1. all matching except magazine. Assigned to the 221 Inf Div.
2. 1916 DWM, all matching except mag, unit marked to the Machine Gun Troop 9 Company
3. 1910 DWM unit marked 142.R.M.G.77 part of the 142 Infantry Regt, 29th Div. A Baden Division.
4. 1915 DWM unit marked 181. (JR) 4. (company) Saxon unit
5. 1913 Erfurt unit marked 2nd Ersatz Machine Gun Company 9th Army Corps weapon no# 85

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Maestro

..and one of L.M.K. 827

The first soldier is holding an 1888 Commission 'artillery' carbine...

[Ron Wood]

Those are some very nice looking unit marked Lugers. The marking on the L.M.K. gun is quite non-standard...I can't recall ever seeing a Luger marked in that location.

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

The first soldier is holding an 1888 Commission 'artillery' carbine...

Actually the fellow on the left and on the far right are both armed with KAR88s which were cavalry carbines. The Artillery carbine was exactly the same weapon but with a stacking hook added. That version was designated the GEW(ehr) 91. The GEW91 is a very rare weapon today.

[klaus 3338]

What is the number of the 1915 dated 181. JR Luger, please. I know 2 other in the c- suffix range.

[klaus 3338]

By the way- the unit stamp L.M.K. 26 is not according the regulation. The "L" should be "l" and as above mentioned is it on a very unusual location.
I will look through my holsters during the day. I am sure I have a correct holster for your Luger.

[Maestro]

Originally Posted by klaus 3338

what is the number of the 1915 dated 181. Jr luger, please. I know 2 other in the c- suffix range.

sn 3881

[Maestro]

Originally Posted by klaus 3338

By the way- the unit stamp L.M.K. 26 is not according the regulation. The "L" should be "l" and as above mentioned is it on a very unusual location.

perhaps it doesn't stand for Leichten-Munitions-Kolonnen. it would be nice to know if anyone else has this particular artillery from this unit.

[klaus 3338]

I thougt I would have a holster for this Luger but it is one of the Munitions- Kolonne for the Reserve Infanterie Regiment 23

[Maestro]

Originally Posted by klaus 3338

I thougt I would have a holster for this Luger but it is one of the Munitions- Kolonne for the Reserve Infanterie Regiment 23

Very nice! Thanks for sharing

what would be the correct snail drum for this LP08? Type 1?

[Maestro]

Apparently there were a number of different ways of abbreviating a title.
For example, depending on the source you are reading, Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 203, could be listed as; R.I.R.203, Res.Inf.Regt. 203 or Res.I.R. 203.
http://www.trenchfighter.com/62801.html

L.M.K. leichte Munitionskolonne

[klaus 3338]

Correct for the Reserve- Infantry- Regiment 203 (it came in) would have been 203. R (script) (5. for the 5. Company and a smaller Arabic number for the weapon number).
It is still too dark to take a good picture of the page of the 1909 dated stamping order yet. Will do it later.
I have the complete order with 33 Deckblättern (with all additions)

[klaus 3338]

a pic of the page of the order....