1900 Commercial unknown numbers

myky · 07-05-2011, 11:38 AM

All........ I may have run this before, a long time ago, but I'm still searching for any info on the numbers on the back of a 1900 commercial that I've had for years. It's in the 14,000 range. Any opinions are welcome....... thanks guys !

[email protected]

Ron Wood · 07-05-2011, 01:02 PM

Mike,
It is kind of hard to read...is it FS677?

Edward Tinker · 07-05-2011, 02:27 PM

I can't think of any reason for it except a unit marking and being a 1900 commercial I think more in the owners side of things, although most people don't own stamp dies?

It is possible that a gun like this was bought by a private company that armed their folks?

US Police marking does not seem right either, as I would expect that to be etched rather than stamped....

Ed

myky · 07-05-2011, 02:40 PM

Hi Ron ! Hey thanks for the reply..... Yeah, I saw that after the scan came up, it's F 5677. Sorry. Way back when I 1st got it, someone ventured the idea that it was used in the South African Boer War. I don't know if that has any plausibility or not though. The serial number is 14689, the last 3 digits are on the bottom of the side plate and rear toggle. High grooved thumb safety and wide grip safety. No BUG proofs, relieved frame. The holster has a 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 flower design on the outside lower flap and #807 on the belt loop. What's your guess ?

Myky

myky · 07-05-2011, 02:52 PM

Hi Ed ! Thanks for your input too my friend ! I'm kinda like your opinion that a private owner would not have stamps, or a reason to stamp, an inventory ? stamp on his pistol. I think only, like you say, a unit, a company, or some military command would strike a 4 digit inventory #. Would the German Navy of 1900 have done something like this ? It wasn't long afterward ( 1906 ) that they started doing this to Lugers. The overall condition kinda reminds me of saltwater exposure also. This is what has puzzeld me for all these years.
Dunno my friend...... Myky

myky · 07-05-2011, 03:42 PM

Ed and Ron, what about the naval detachment that was stationed in China in the 1900 period ? Any thoughts ?

Mike

Norme · 07-05-2011, 04:03 PM

Hi Myky, No. This Luger was never issued, or used, by the Imperial Navy. The most obvious reason, it's not 9mm! Regards, Norm

myky · 07-05-2011, 09:19 PM

Hi Norm, thanks guy ! I know that the navy had a station in Tsing Chow, ( or something that sounds like it ) in China. What would they have used as a hand firearm ? And what about the South African Colonies ? What would they have used ? Any ideas ?

Thanks ! Mike

Norme · 07-05-2011, 09:58 PM

Hi Mike, The garrison of the German colony of Kiauchau were armed with P04 Lugers (6" barreled Navies), marked on their rear grip straps with Gouv Kiau, followed by a weapon number. The colonial police of German S.W. Africa were armed with P08 Lugers (4" barreled Armies) marked with an L.P. followed by a number, also on their rear grip straps. All of these were, of course, 9mm. Best regards, Norm

myky · 07-05-2011, 10:20 PM

Well.......... Norm. I'm still batting a big " 0 ". Just like I have been through the years on this piece. I hope someday, someone, will know the answer.......

A BIG thanks to you my friend !

Myky

Norme · 07-05-2011, 10:36 PM

Hi Mike, I'm as baffled as you are, sorry. It looks like a rack number, but it would have to be a pretty big rack! Best regards, Norm

myky · 07-05-2011, 11:29 PM

Norm........ thanks so much for your learned input ! Maybe one day we'll know.

Dem besten danke !! Mike

Ron Wood · 07-06-2011, 12:31 AM

Mike,
The only other thing I can come up with right now is a museum accession/catalog number

myky · 07-08-2011, 05:17 PM

Ron. thanks bud ! At least that's a suggestion ! Someday......... Are you going to Tulsa ?

God bless ! Mike

07-05-2011, 11:38 AM	#1
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	1900 Commercial unknown numbers All........ I may have run this before, a long time ago, but I'm still searching for any info on the numbers on the back of a 1900 commercial that I've had for years. It's in the 14,000 range. Any opinions are welcome....... thanks guys ! [email protected] Attached Thumbnails __________________ myky

07-05-2011, 01:02 PM	#2
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: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	Mike, It is kind of hard to read...is it FS677? __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

07-05-2011, 02:27 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,033 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	I can't think of any reason for it except a unit marking and being a 1900 commercial I think more in the owners side of things, although most people don't own stamp dies? It is possible that a gun like this was bought by a private company that armed their folks? US Police marking does not seem right either, as I would expect that to be etched rather than stamped.... 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

07-05-2011, 02:40 PM	#4
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Hi Ron ! Hey thanks for the reply..... Yeah, I saw that after the scan came up, it's F 5677. Sorry. Way back when I 1st got it, someone ventured the idea that it was used in the South African Boer War. I don't know if that has any plausibility or not though. The serial number is 14689, the last 3 digits are on the bottom of the side plate and rear toggle. High grooved thumb safety and wide grip safety. No BUG proofs, relieved frame. The holster has a 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 flower design on the outside lower flap and #807 on the belt loop. What's your guess ? Myky __________________ myky

07-05-2011, 02:52 PM	#5
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Hi Ed ! Thanks for your input too my friend ! I'm kinda like your opinion that a private owner would not have stamps, or a reason to stamp, an inventory ? stamp on his pistol. I think only, like you say, a unit, a company, or some military command would strike a 4 digit inventory #. Would the German Navy of 1900 have done something like this ? It wasn't long afterward ( 1906 ) that they started doing this to Lugers. The overall condition kinda reminds me of saltwater exposure also. This is what has puzzeld me for all these years. Dunno my friend...... Myky __________________ myky

07-05-2011, 03:42 PM	#6
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	1900 commercial unknown Ed and Ron, what about the naval detachment that was stationed in China in the 1900 period ? Any thoughts ? Mike __________________ myky

07-05-2011, 04:03 PM	#7
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Myky, No. This Luger was never issued, or used, by the Imperial Navy. The most obvious reason, it's not 9mm! Regards, Norm

07-05-2011, 09:19 PM	#8
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Hi Norm, thanks guy ! I know that the navy had a station in Tsing Chow, ( or something that sounds like it ) in China. What would they have used as a hand firearm ? And what about the South African Colonies ? What would they have used ? Any ideas ? Thanks ! Mike __________________ myky

07-05-2011, 09:58 PM	#9
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Mike, The garrison of the German colony of Kiauchau were armed with P04 Lugers (6" barreled Navies), marked on their rear grip straps with Gouv Kiau, followed by a weapon number. The colonial police of German S.W. Africa were armed with P08 Lugers (4" barreled Armies) marked with an L.P. followed by a number, also on their rear grip straps. All of these were, of course, 9mm. Best regards, Norm

07-05-2011, 10:20 PM	#10
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Well.......... Norm. I'm still batting a big " 0 ". Just like I have been through the years on this piece. I hope someday, someone, will know the answer....... A BIG thanks to you my friend ! Myky __________________ myky

07-05-2011, 10:36 PM	#11
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Mike, I'm as baffled as you are, sorry. It looks like a rack number, but it would have to be a pretty big rack! Best regards, Norm

07-05-2011, 11:29 PM	#12
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Norm........ thanks so much for your learned input ! Maybe one day we'll know. Dem besten danke !! Mike __________________ myky

07-06-2011, 12:31 AM	#13
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: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	Mike, The only other thing I can come up with right now is a museum accession/catalog number __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

07-08-2011, 05:17 PM	#14
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Ron. thanks bud ! At least that's a suggestion ! Someday......... Are you going to Tulsa ? God bless ! Mike __________________ myky