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A UNIT MARKED DWM 1917 ARTILLERY--A STORY

3K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  drm2m 
#1 ·
I thought it might make sense to consolidate a post that I had submitted some time ago,.. "SOME ARTILLERY STUFF", together with this post,.. as it is all related to the same gun. The material from that previous post appears below.



When I purchased this gun on December 29th 2004, I knew very little about Artillery Lugers. I have several people to thank that were an important part of that decision making process.
Jerry Burney , whom I first approached with my naive questions, George Anderson, refered by Jerry, who started to clarify the picture of what I had, and Jan Still who presented this rig on December 30 2004 on this site, as well as on" 1900-1918: Luger Unit Markings" site", December 30th 2004.
When Jan asked me , why don't you post your pictures, I told him I didn't have the faintest idea of how to do it, as I had never posted anything on any site before. Ed Tinker was very helpful in demystifing the process.
All I can say is ,.. if there are those of you that are hesitating moving forward with posting stuff.... do it... it is not so complicated.... I, among many , am living proof that this is not brain surgery!

This photo shows the rig close to the end of the story:



Download Attachment: Copy of Pistol & all Accessories.JPG
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INCLUDED ABOVE:

(1) 1917 DWM, LP08 Pistol ,Sn. 6237m , unit marked "122.R.4.6" (122nd Fusiliers Regiment, 4th Kompagnie(Company), 6th weapon, -an infantry regiment from Wurttemberg (see Jan Still's History of the 122nd Fusilier Regiment. Dec.30th 2004," 1900-1918 Unit Luger Markings".)

(2) Type 1 "Snail Drum Magazine" manufactured by "AEG"; Sn. 35718.
(3) Cleaning rod;
(4)Take down tool- with Imperial acceptance stamp ;
(5) Stock- with stock iron Sn. 5411h..not the same Sn. as the gun, however, showing the same unit marking "122.R.4.6." , with the Crown/S Imperial acceptance stamp on the stock;
(6) Holster- well worn- dated 1915- manufacturer's mark unclear;
(7) Magazine Loader -manufacturer marked (Bing) - B/N , Crown/S Imperial acceptance stamp;
(8) Dust cover for the "Snail Drum Magazine";
(9) Two Magazines- one numbered with the gun, "6237m", the other,possibly, an Erfurt Armorer's replacement magazine.

THE PUZZLING EARLY PART OF THE STORY,... the significance, and possible explanation, for the same "Unit Markings" on the pistol and on the stock iron, even though their respective serial numbers were different,..as well as the presence of a "Unit Marking" on the stock iron altogether.


Download Attachment: Copy of grip unit marking2.JPG
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Download Attachment: Copy of Best unit marking on stock iron plywood.jpg
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Download Attachment: Copy of Best sn on stock iron plywood.jpg
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THE WELL WORN ORIGINAL HOLSTER; (with "supposedly", a bullet hole that penetrated the body of the holster, which noticeably grazed the stock??.
The hole has been crudely repaired as may be seen in two of the photos below.)



Download Attachment: Copy of Best original holster plywood.jpg
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The rear view of the stock showing a faint Imperial Crown/S stamp.



Download Attachment: Copy of Best rear of stock plywood.jpg
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The Pistol.


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Download Attachment: Copy of Right Side Markings Best.JPG
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Download Attachment: Copy of Best top view plywood.jpg
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Download Attachment: Copy of Barrel Serial Number Best.jpg
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A Matching Magazine; (found twenty five years after it had been misplaced by a previous owner.)

After I bought the rig, I tracked down a previous owner, only to find out that he had found the matching magazine years after he sold the gun to the fellow I bought it from. His father had hidden it so his kids wouldn't be in harm's way...how many times might that explain a missing magazine???



Download Attachment: Copy of Best mag marking plywood.jpg
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This was the magazine that originally came with the gun. An unnumbered magazine with double Erfurt proofs, Jan thought it was probably an armorer's replacement magazine.

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A LATER PURCHASED HOLSTER;
1916 dated , manufactured by "Danziger Leder Industrie" (stamped marking), with "B.A.XV11" (ink marking) , possibly for "Clothing Dept. of the XV11 Armee Corps, Danzig," all markings are on the inside flap. (the markings are not clear enough to be absolutely sure,.. however ,... I think that is what is there?).


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Download Attachment: Front.jpg
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Rear view of the holster.



Download Attachment: Copy of Rear on plywood.JPG
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Download Attachment: Copy of Best Holster ,Gun,Mag,tool on plywood.JPG
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REPEAT OF THE PREVIOUS POST, "SOME ARTILLERY STUFF".

The "Snail Drum" and magazine loader shown below were purchased sometime after I purchased the Artillery Rig. At that time, George Anderson ,(keoki), was of invaluable assistance in guiding me through my state of confusion, and was very helpful in trying to educate me on what this stuff might be worth in the U.S. --- but I live in Canada....it is not very easy to find these pieces here,.. so I paid the price...and now,.. that chapter is only a distant memory.

My grandfather had a saying, which I guess I have never forgotten,....

"The joy ("pleasure",.. is probably a better word) of ownership will endure(survive) long after the price has been forgotten." ..(within reason,... hopefully!!!)

Thanks again for your patience and help ,George.



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"AEG" Type 1 (TM08) "Snail Drum" magazine, showing the markings.


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Markings on the rear of the "Snail Drum" magazine.


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Dust cover with part of the "Snail Drum" magazine showing an Imperial acceptance marking.


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The "B/N" (Bing) manufactured magazine loader.


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"B/N" manufacturer's marking on the magazine loader with Imperial "Crown/S"



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Imperial stamped take down tool.


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Thanks for looking,...this is pretty well the end of the story.... so far???

David
 
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#4 ·
Jan, thanks for your comments, I really appreciated your efforts and patience back in late December 2004 just after I got the rig.
Your presentation on the history of the 122nd Fusiliers Regiment and this rig was wonderfully done .
David
 
#9 ·
David,

Artilleries and everything that goes with them have a special attention in my collection. Trying to put Artillery 'rigs' together since quite some time, makes me recognize that you have a splendid set up there. The AEG TM08 is becoming very difficult to obtain, there were not many made, and yours looks very fine in the pictures.
You are right to change to a holster in a better shape, and a 1917 stamp would be fine. Lately I found on Ebay a set of the leather straps and the leather cup, still missing on your rig. Keep your eyes open, such a set might show up again.
I congratulate you with this super rig. The fact that both the pistol and the stock have a matching unity marking is very uncommon.
 
#10 ·
Joop, thanks very much for your comments. I have been following ebay on occasion, and have noticed that these leather artillery components sometimes show up. Congratulations on your find.
I guess color and condition are the big challenges in trying to match the missing pieces with an existing holster. I suppose patience and good luck are essential in this quest???

David
 
#12 ·
Dave ,thanks for your response. I suspect that the unit marking on the stock iron being identical to the marking on the pistol is somewhat unusual, particularily because the Sn. on the stock does not match the Sn. on the gun.
I would be curious to hear about other similar oddities.
David
 
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