P.08 [DWM 1916] - 5 Pi 22 Unit Markings?

[Alan Smith]

Here is a WWI P.08 that I bought about 15 years ago at a local gunshow; it was fresh out of a WWII vet's estate. Included with the P.08 (but not shown) was a PT.08 holster that is one of the conversions from the Reichsrevolver holsters, along with an "S/42" marked loading tool and spare WWI-era wood based mag. The gun is 100% matching, less the magazines and in pretty decent condition.

The gun has "5 Pi 22" unit markings that are hand stamped in the left grip; markings which, I believe, are from the WWI era. It looks like a file was used to "flatten out" an area on the grip so that the unit marking could be applied.

Has anyone seen other WWI-era unit markings that were applied to P.08 in this same (non-regulation) manner? Years ago I put a submission in the "AutoMag" publication of the NAPCA and got at least one response of a similar marking having been observed.

All thoughts/comments are appreciated.

BTW: No special premium was paid for the unit markings; in fact, I don't think the seller even made mention of the markings.

Thanks!

[Alan Smith]

Markings

[Alan Smith]

Another view of the markings

[Alan Smith]

Another view of the gun

[Alan Smith]

SN (as I know several of you, including GWA, actively gather such data).

[Alan Smith]

Date on chamber

[Alan Smith]

Another view

[Alan Smith]

Final - overall view of pistol w/ markings

[Ronnie Fry]

Interesting marks, Alan, and good presentation/photos.
I'm curious as to what GWA will say....
Nice old Luger, Sir !!

Jim Nasium

[GWA]

I've never seen one unit marked in this manner but it doesn't alter the fact that a unit mark is all it can be. It's a very nice piece in its own right and a combat engineer unit mark is rare. How about some photos front and back of the RR conversion holster?

[brus]

I think the 5Pi22 is not unit marking, but the astrological coordinates of the date birth.
Look for RASHI CHART.
For example look here : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/varahamihira/message/3850.
Sorry for my english.

[Ronnie Fry]

We appreciate your input George!! You are absolutely correct... It could be nothing else but a Unit Mark....
I wonder if the grips are numbered to the pistol??

r

Rashi Chart???

[Alan Smith]

Thanks, guys. Yes - the grips are matching numbered to the pistol; I'll take some photos and post.

Yes - I will also take some photos of the holster and other stuff that came with the gun (a junky ERFURT mag and a "42" code takedown tool (not "S/42" as I originally posted).

I am at the office most of today and have family obligations this afternoon and evening, so no promises on when I will can take the photos and post them but I'll do my best ASAP.

I sure wish I had made a copy of the AutoMag response where someone indicated that they had observed another Imperial P.08 with similar markings (so that I could ID who so responded). While I have all of the old AM's and could look it up, I really don't have time to dig back through them.

BTW: Did you notice that on the "Pi" portion of the marking, it is actually a capital letter "I" with a dot punched above it, to make a lower case "i". The capital "P" and "I" are the same font size.

[brus]

We appreciate your input George!! You are absolutely correct... It could be nothing else but a Unit Mark....
I wonder if the grips are numbered to the pistol??

r

Rashi Chart???

Type RASHI CHART in google and see the images

[Alan Smith]

Here are some photos of the holster and related items that came with the P.08 in question.