Unit mark on trigger guard

Yovich · 05-11-2017, 07:25 PM

Hi all. First post, and new to forum, looks like a very, very informative place to come!
I have recently found a new to me Luger I would like to find some info on. From what I can tell, it was issued to a MG crew, but thats amounts to all I know. Is there a book, or internet resource (or knowledgeable person here) that I can be pointed to for any and all info on it?
What I have is a 1916 DWM Luger, s/no 4778 (F suffix on frame I think) with the unit marks on the trigger guard. LJR.K.W.II.N.2.1.MGK.N.45. Is how I read it
Pictures attached for discussion

mrerick · 05-11-2017, 08:12 PM

Hello Matthew, and welcome to the forum.

I have not seen a unit mark applied to that location before, but since they were often applied at unit level there is a wide variety of locations possible.

The book "History Writ in Steel" covers police unit marks.

The author Don Maus, George Anderson and other experts on Imperial Unit Marking like Klaus frequent this board, and will likely follow with details.

Ron Wood · 05-11-2017, 10:50 PM

Wow! That is certainly a non-standard location for a unit marking and I suspect it is also a non-standard (i.e. not in accordance with marking directives) marking. I am going to take a stab at it. I think it might be a honorary unit designation and I think it might be:

Landwehr Infanterie Regiment Kaiser (König?) Wilhelm II Nr. 2, 1st Maschinen Gewehr Kompagnie, Waffen Nr. 45.

Now let's see what someone that knows what they are talking about says it is!

JTD · 05-12-2017, 09:52 AM

Matt, I think Ron has hit the nail on the head deciphering the mark. All I can add is I recall seeing another marked in this location several years ago. By 1916, unit marking had been discontinued for the most part. You have a very cool luger there, congrats. John

Yovich · 05-12-2017, 02:08 PM

Thank you all very much that was what I was looking for! Especially you Ron. I now have some reading to do.
Sounds like it's a pretty special peice. Very happy with my purchase

Yovich · 05-12-2017, 03:15 PM

Hi all, now I know what I'm looking for, here is another.
http://gmic.co.uk/topic/37383-2nd-la...ig-wilhelm-ii/

Don M · 05-13-2017, 11:21 AM

I don't think it is police.

Ron Wood · 05-13-2017, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don M

I don't think it is police.

It isn't
Ron

rolandtg · 05-13-2017, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben M.

done with care. shape of trigger guard does not deformed.

Yes, I'm thinking they removed the trigger and inserted something like a wooden dowel before stamping.

Very interesting unit mark.

Imagine the hours it took to hand stamp, one letter at a time, all those pistols.

05-11-2017, 07:25 PM	#1
Yovich New User Join Date: May 2017 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Unit mark on trigger guard Hi all. First post, and new to forum, looks like a very, very informative place to come! I have recently found a new to me Luger I would like to find some info on. From what I can tell, it was issued to a MG crew, but thats amounts to all I know. Is there a book, or internet resource (or knowledgeable person here) that I can be pointed to for any and all info on it? What I have is a 1916 DWM Luger, s/no 4778 (F suffix on frame I think) with the unit marks on the trigger guard. LJR.K.W.II.N.2.1.MGK.N.45. Is how I read it Pictures attached for discussion Attached Thumbnails

05-11-2017, 08:12 PM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Hello Matthew, and welcome to the forum. I have not seen a unit mark applied to that location before, but since they were often applied at unit level there is a wide variety of locations possible. The book "History Writ in Steel" covers police unit marks. The author Don Maus, George Anderson and other experts on Imperial Unit Marking like Klaus frequent this board, and will likely follow with details. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

05-11-2017, 10:50 PM	#3
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 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Wow! That is certainly a non-standard location for a unit marking and I suspect it is also a non-standard (i.e. not in accordance with marking directives) marking. I am going to take a stab at it. I think it might be a honorary unit designation and I think it might be: Landwehr Infanterie Regiment Kaiser (König?) Wilhelm II Nr. 2, 1st Maschinen Gewehr Kompagnie, Waffen Nr. 45. Now let's see what someone that knows what they are talking about says it is! __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-13-2017, 11:21 AM	#7
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	I don't think it is police. __________________ Regards, Don [email protected] Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

05-12-2017, 09:52 AM	#4
JTD User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 425 Thanks: 217 Thanked 408 Times in 149 Posts	Matt, I think Ron has hit the nail on the head deciphering the mark. All I can add is I recall seeing another marked in this location several years ago. By 1916, unit marking had been discontinued for the most part. You have a very cool luger there, congrats. John

05-12-2017, 02:08 PM	#5
Yovich New User Join Date: May 2017 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you all very much that was what I was looking for! Especially you Ron. I now have some reading to do. Sounds like it's a pretty special peice. Very happy with my purchase

05-12-2017, 03:15 PM	#6
Yovich New User Join Date: May 2017 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Hi all, now I know what I'm looking for, here is another. http://gmic.co.uk/topic/37383-2nd-la...ig-wilhelm-ii/