1916 Luger Question

[Tomt]

Hi all Have this 1916 DWM with stamped numbers on the front grip strap. Don't have a clue what that mean. Would appreciate some advice. Thanks for looking. Tomt

[Tomt]

1916 Luger Question

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[Tomt]

1916 Luger Question

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[Tomt]

1916 Luger Question

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[Tomt]

1916 Luger Question

#5 The photo is not real clear on the inscription. It reads M.G.S.S. ABT.8 2.K. 14 I assume it is WWI but would like to know more. Appreciate any comments. Thanks for looking Tomt

[MikeP]

It is pistol #14 of the 2nd company of the 8th battalion of some
Machine gun unit.
Somebody can say which one.
In the early luger collecting days these unit stamps were less desireable.
Not so today.

[Tomt]

Hi Mike Thanks for your quick reply. I'm wondering if it is possible this piece was actually used in WWII. There are no waffenampts on it anywhere. With my limited knowledge of lugers I really can't tell. I also pictured another from 1918 production that was brought home by a friend of the family and has a silver TR eagle on the grip. It obviously was used in the lines but likewise has no waffenampts on it either. May be someone can shed some light on this for me. Thanks Tomt

[SIGNALMAN]

Many German officers would keep their pistols after WWI. These pistols would not be destroyed, or thrown away. Yes, many were reworked and sold commercially, but many more were reused 20 years later in WWII.

Some privately owned were reused but not reworked. Others were reworked by Simpson, and later by Mauser for WWII use and have various Nazi proofs.

I even have an 1870's era Austrian revolver with Nazi proofs on the cylinder showing the officer sent it through the proof house to make sure it was still safe to shoot.

[MikeP]

The eagle was probably added by the GI who picked it up.
That was not real uncommon. You also see initials crudely carved into them as well as anything else over the last 60 years. Kids were good for this.
Be thankful he didn't chrome it and put stag or lucite grips on it. Also a common souvenier practice.
Anyways, Lugers have reached the generally impossible level for new collectors and I won't be likely to buy anymore at the soaring rates.
I also don't shoot mine as much anymore-sometimes those old numbered parts break and you are screwed.
Almost any replacememt part is hard to find these days.

[gew98]

That's a neat unit marking.

Maschinengewehr Scharfschutzen Abtielung # 8 , 2nd Kompagnie , Waffe Nr # 14.

I had a sawback 84/98 marked to an M.G.S.s. Abtielung similar to this pistol. This is strictly a late WW1 unit marking.

[GerColctor]

Tomt

Lugers that were made during WW I may not have Nazi markings on them, unless they were sent to the factory to be reworked.

Lugers were used by the Weimar Army [1920-1932], the civil police. A lot of the extras were placed into storage. Some were taken home by the guys who were issued them in the Great War and used by para military organizations in the early 20s. A number of these "private" Lugers were later turned into the Nazi government and also stored away until needed by the new expanded military.

There is no way to tell if your 1916 Luger saw service during WW II, as these pistols were taken home to the US by the GIs after both wars.
Joe

[Jeff Noll]

Tomt, This marking is for a Scharfschuetzen MG Abtielung. Definately WWI vintage. I would like the serial number of your pistol for my data base of Imperial Regimental markings. My email address is: nopubl@earthlink.net thx Jeff