Luger 1914 DWM British proofed

[Coalhillbill]

Have had this 08 for over 10 years and still have not really got a good answer to the history of this piece. All numbers match except magazine (naturally) Underside of barrel , in front of the receiver, is stamped with the a PB Broad Arrow with 9 m/m .752" above 15 tons per square ". And original German markings Bo31. Left side of barrel has BNP under a crown, Also on left side of frame and receiver.
Have been told it was proofed to be sold to English civilians. Which I doubt with their gun laws. Also one opinion that it was re-issued to English troops.
Would appreciate any ideas about who and why on this piece..... Thanks

[phil337]

all of foreign imported firearms here have had to have the bnp "British Nitro Proof" markings added to the firearm to confirrm it complies with our firearms laws, i dont think it means it was issued for the British Army - its just a standard British firearms Proof - yes civilians here used to be able to own handguns, before our laws changed, but i wont go into that.

[Johnny Peppers]

phil337 is correct. Any firearm made in a country that did not have a reciprocal gun proof law with England had to be proofed before it could be sold commercially. The proofs on your Luger are post 1954.

Even British military arms that were sold commercially had to be proofed before they could be sold. The U.S. Lend-Lease weapons sent to England were not proofed until they were released for commercial sale. Military weapons made in a foreign country did not have to be proofed for military use.

[james m]

Yes:
At one time mere British civilians could own firearms including pistols until "sensible firearms laws" were enacted there. Many Lend Lease pistols were sent to Britain from the United States during WW II for home defense and other purposes. The ones that weren't scrapped after the war were often sold off to surplus dealers and re-imported here and sold to collectors so it's not unusual to find, for example, a vintage Smith & Wesson revolver with British proofs on it.
Jim

[Coalhillbill]

Thanks for the information on the BNP markings

I never knew exactly when the BNP started . In the late 60's I lucked onto a Colt New Service 44-40 w/5" barrel. All chambers on cylinder were stamped with the BNP mark . It came with a Colt letter stating the pistol had been shipped to the London Agency in 1907. But all their records had since been destroyed. On the left side of the frame it had a raised Gold double script "L " inlaid and engraved. One L faced right the other faced left. To form a design like a crest. Was believed to have been a piece from Lloyds of London. But never proven. One of those pieces you always regret trading off.

[Johnny Peppers]

The Crown/BNP was for Birmingham Nitro Proof, and the Crown/GP was for the London Proof House, and the BNP was not used until 1955. Between 1925 and 1955 the Birmingham nitro proof was a Crown over a circled NP.

This is a post 1954 Birmingham proof. In 1955 the cartridge dimensions were added along with the proof charge.