[huggiebear]

Presented is my example of a difficult variation to find that has recently graced my collection. Trust one will appreciate it as much as I have in trying to locate a decent example.

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152.69 KB The markings read, Kern Klager & Cie, 1938, Berlin, with the Nazi police acceptance stamp eagle B below it all.

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206.99 KB Markings show that it was first issued to the Prussian State of Germany, Kriminal Police of Berlin , weapon 58, during the Imperial Era

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185.81 KB I have to conclude that this weapon was a contract order for the Prussian government as it has brown rubber grips and the safety marks read in German , Feuer and Sicher.

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218.25 KB The serial number is 171006 but what is unknown to me is the letter X on the trigger guard. I don't recall seeing this before. Suspect that weapon was holstered for some considerable time as both sides of rubber grips have some serious rub marks as to make grips very smooth.

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103.49 KB The marks refer to the "Schutzpolzei, Arnsberg, 11 [ district 2 ] , Command [?] weapon 5 " . The letter C is not inaccordance with the 1933 regulations and would suspect that it was marked under the 1922 format instead and never changed to comply with the 1933 rules.

 

[donmaus]

John,

A very interesting post. Could you tell me how you have interpreted the mark on the left side of the receiver as being from the Imperial era? I have a number of similar marks recorded in my database of police unit marks but have had no clues as to what they mean. A reference on these would be very helpful.

A newbie question: What does FN stand for?

 

[huggiebear]

The FN is found on the slide and it stands for, " Fabrique Nationale " and the KPPB is "Kriminal Polzei Presidium Berlin" but one will have to correct my spelling here and there.

 

[donmaus]

Thanks for the info. Is the KPPB mark definitely Imperial era and not Weimar?

 

[Darwin]

Very nice! I'd love to add one of those to my collection. Thanks for sharing.

 

[FNitis]

The KPPB marking is indeed Imperial and not Weimar. I have documented two other Imperial German contract pistols in the 170,000 range that were shipped in November 1903. I am pretty certain that yours must have been part of that order.
Anthony V.

 

[donmaus]

Joe Wotka has recently informed me that K.P.P.B. stands for Königliche Polizei Präsidium Berlin (Royal Police Headquarters, Berlin).

 

[FNitis]

Kriminal or Konigliche... Both interpretations of the letter have been used by collectors for years. It would be nice to find something official that would confirm the correct one.