Unit markings question - WW1 era gun

MW2152 · 02-11-2019, 01:55 PM

So not too long ago I posted about a Military First Issue I have, which is WW1 German unit marked.

In thinking through what path the gun might have taken after WW1 ended, can I assume with at least a fair degree of certainty, that since the gun is not marked or stamped or dated with anything post-WW1 for markings, that it probably WAS in fact a WW1 bring-back souvenir?

I guess what i am getting at, is that if it were Police or Army or Weimer used and issued, it would be so marked in at least some fashion, to indicate that, correct?

Thanks!

Edward Tinker · 02-11-2019, 02:24 PM

sorry, no, not really.. but...

lots of guns weren't marked and lots of WW1 guns were refurbished (or not) and sold on the USA market. Technically supposed to get a Germany stamp, but...

Also, GI's were there in the 1019-1925 time frame - technically a bring back - then many guns survived just fine without any other stamps or replacement mags or police adaptations.

I would say that your odds are better at it being a WW1 bring back with no additional markings than not, but...

ed

George Anderson · 02-11-2019, 04:25 PM

I have a 1908 first issue military with an Imperial unit mark and US post WWII bring back papers. It has no Reichswehr or Third Reich markings.

MW2152 · 02-14-2019, 11:51 PM

Great information gents, thanks for posting and letting me know that. I sure wish the thing could talk. Through researching the unit marks I was able to get a good idea on its possible WW1 history, I was surprised at how much was on the web about units of the German Army then.

I guess tho, that it’s post-WW1 life will have to remain a mystery, and may include post-WW1 German Service too then.

wayne8661 · 02-15-2019, 09:32 AM

I too have a WW1 1910 unit marked pistol with a 1916 dated holster that was brought back from a WW2 vet. I have no bring back papers but it was purchased from a family friend and I know the bringback story is true.

Ron Wood · 02-15-2019, 11:56 AM

I suspect that there were many WWI Lugers that also served in WWII as personal weapons. Like Wayne (wayne8661) I also have a 1912 marked to the Bavarian 4th Infantry Division that was captured at Bastogne in WWII but no bring back papers...however it came from a very close friend whose father captured it and I have absolutely no reason to doubt its provenance.
Ron

Lyn Islaub · 02-19-2019, 05:53 PM

I agree with Ron. I have a 1908 Commercial with WW2 capture papers. I suppose a lot of WW1 era weapons made it through WW2. Why not if they were still functional.

02-11-2019, 01:55 PM	#1
MW2152 User Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 50 Thanks: 11 Thanked 35 Times in 20 Posts	Unit markings question - WW1 era gun So not too long ago I posted about a Military First Issue I have, which is WW1 German unit marked. In thinking through what path the gun might have taken after WW1 ended, can I assume with at least a fair degree of certainty, that since the gun is not marked or stamped or dated with anything post-WW1 for markings, that it probably WAS in fact a WW1 bring-back souvenir? I guess what i am getting at, is that if it were Police or Army or Weimer used and issued, it would be so marked in at least some fashion, to indicate that, correct? Thanks!

02-11-2019, 02:24 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	sorry, no, not really.. but... lots of guns weren't marked and lots of WW1 guns were refurbished (or not) and sold on the USA market. Technically supposed to get a Germany stamp, but... Also, GI's were there in the 1019-1925 time frame - technically a bring back - then many guns survived just fine without any other stamps or replacement mags or police adaptations. I would say that your odds are better at it being a WW1 bring back with no additional markings than not, but... 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

02-15-2019, 11:56 AM	#6
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	I suspect that there were many WWI Lugers that also served in WWII as personal weapons. Like Wayne (wayne8661) I also have a 1912 marked to the Bavarian 4th Infantry Division that was captured at Bastogne in WWII but no bring back papers...however it came from a very close friend whose father captured it and I have absolutely no reason to doubt its provenance. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-11-2019, 04:25 PM	#3
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	I have a 1908 first issue military with an Imperial unit mark and US post WWII bring back papers. It has no Reichswehr or Third Reich markings.

02-14-2019, 11:51 PM	#4
MW2152 User Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 50 Thanks: 11 Thanked 35 Times in 20 Posts	Great information gents, thanks for posting and letting me know that. I sure wish the thing could talk. Through researching the unit marks I was able to get a good idea on its possible WW1 history, I was surprised at how much was on the web about units of the German Army then. I guess tho, that it’s post-WW1 life will have to remain a mystery, and may include post-WW1 German Service too then.

02-15-2019, 09:32 AM	#5
wayne8661 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kennett Square Pennsylvania Posts: 591 Thanks: 15 Thanked 334 Times in 104 Posts	I too have a WW1 1910 unit marked pistol with a 1916 dated holster that was brought back from a WW2 vet. I have no bring back papers but it was purchased from a family friend and I know the bringback story is true.

02-19-2019, 05:53 PM	#7
Lyn Islaub Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 435 Thanks: 3 Thanked 152 Times in 72 Posts	I agree with Ron. I have a 1908 Commercial with WW2 capture papers. I suppose a lot of WW1 era weapons made it through WW2. Why not if they were still functional.