Unit marked Luger - Help

[Hessian]

Hello
Ive recently had the chance to obtain a Erfurt Luger that is double dated and unit marked. The neat part is that it was issued to a few units. I know this was due to treaty of versailles and restrictions on firearms production/issue. I'd like to know if anyone can tell me who the two units are, and if the holster maker is anything special?
Also any opinions on value of the luger would help me in making a fair offer. Thanks much,
Duke

[Ronnie Fry]

Hessian, P/M GWA and he'll know !! He's the expert in unit marks...

Interesting luger. Better photos of the marks would help some.

r

[Hessian]

Hi Ronnie,
Thanks for the tip. Those are all the photos of the unit marks I have.
Cheers
Duke

[Johnny Peppers]

There appears to be three unit markings on the pistol, with the last one possibly being Artillery Regiment, battery 3, weapon 19. Can't make the others out well enough to tell.
While the 1920 is a date, it is actually a Reichswehr property mark. So many weapons had been stolen during WWI that a directive was put out by the Reichswehr that all weapons would be marked with 1920 (the year the directive was issued), so that if someone was found with a 1920 marked weapon it was unquestionably stolen. The directive specified the location for the property stamp, and on the Luger it happened to be on top of the chamber. The 1920 did not change with each year, and I think there is a G date Luger in one of Jan Still's book with the 1920 property mark.

[MikeP]

LOTS more info needed for any type appraisal,

Numbers, marks holster pics necessary.

Many years ago colllectors turned up their noses at WW1 unit marks as well as Weimar.

Today they have their own interest.

[Richie B]

Like Mr Peppers, I can't make out the other marks which is a shame.

The "III / A. R. 6. 15" is a Reichswehr unit marking:-

3rd Battery, 6th Artillery Regiment, Weapon 15.

This marking ties in with the 1920 stamp.

Interesting to know what the other unit marks are - by 1918, the use of unit markings had reduced - presumably the Germans had other things to worry about.

Richie

[GWA]

Like Mr Peppers, I can't make out the other marks which is a shame.

The "III / A. R. 6. 15" is a Reichswehr unit marking:-

3rd Battery, 6th Artillery Regiment, Weapon 15.

This marking ties in with the 1920 stamp.

Interesting to know what the other unit marks are - by 1918, the use of unit markings had reduced - presumably the Germans had other things to worry about.

Richie

I think that 3rd Battery, 6the Artillery Regiment would appear as 3/A.R.6. The German army used Roman numerals only to designate battalions and Army Corps. The marking on the pistol indicates third battalion, Artillery Regiment 6. As there is no battery/company indicator I would assume that the pistol was issued to an enlisted man within the third battalion staff group.

[Hessian]

Thanks GWA and everyone else. Here are a few more photos showing the proof marks... Does this tell us anything else?

[Johnny Peppers]

The eagle shown on the right end of the receiver and the barrel are the firing proofs. The three figures to the left of the firing proof are the inspection stamps, and the Crown over RC is the Revisions Commission mark. The receiver did not originally pass inspection, but was corrected and passed. The mark was the indication that the rejected receiver was OK'd for use after being corrected and passing inspection.
The Revisions Commission mark is common on Erfurt parts, but hardly ever seen on a DWM.

[Hessian]

Wow, impressive knowledge. Thanks much. This is my first pre-WW2 firearm so I really appreciate the input. Does the rejection stamp hurt the value? Does anyone have a ballpark for this one? Im paying 800 for the Luger and the holster....

[Johnny Peppers]

The Revisions Commission stamp really doesn't affect the value of the pistol, but some don't like the property stamp.

[Axel Parabellum]

though i'd give my thoughts on the 1918 Erfurt Army rework.
The rejection during manufacturing inspection, then correction, wont have to much if any of an effect on pricing of the Luger IMO. It, to me, actually adds a little more story and history to it pistol.
That doesnt seem too bad of a price given from what I can see in the few pictures BUT still not everything can be determined with the pictures given.
Not to sure on the unit because not an expert there at all, well at least the III part. I would say JP has it right with battery but the roman numerals are throwing me off.

Regards