Don, I wish the others had answered this one - but - here goes:-
I don´t think that the stamp P.M can adequately be assessed by limiting reference to the „Prussian Interior Administration“ regulations (12th April 1922).
Bavaria was a separate entity and had its own government and regulations. The Bavarian post WWI Police Defence Force (Polizei Wehr – Pw) was established in 1919 but only lasted for about two years. During 1922, the Bavarian Police was re-organised as the Landespolizei (LaPo). There were no further government regulations governing weapons stamps. Every unit used its own devices.
As the letter “M” is not included in the Prussian Police stamp list (except for “Schutzpolizei Münster´ - SM), but is definitely included in the Bavarian Police list (Kommando München – `M´), it would seem likely that “M.” denotes Munich.
The P. would normally denote a Police Academy (Polizeischule). But the only example I could find was “P.R.” used for the Bavarian “Polizei-Reitschule” (Police School of Horsemanship).
The full stop after each letter coincides with the Bavarian usage.
Thus P.M. would very likely denote the Bavarian Police Academy in Munich (always assuming that this really is a Police model P 08)
I hope that this might be of some help – but German unit markings (especially during this period) will always remain an enigma.
Further information is readily available (http://www.polizeigeschichte.de/). This organisation, I am sure, would be more than pleased to answer queries (even in English).
Patrick
I don´t think that the stamp P.M can adequately be assessed by limiting reference to the „Prussian Interior Administration“ regulations (12th April 1922).
Bavaria was a separate entity and had its own government and regulations. The Bavarian post WWI Police Defence Force (Polizei Wehr – Pw) was established in 1919 but only lasted for about two years. During 1922, the Bavarian Police was re-organised as the Landespolizei (LaPo). There were no further government regulations governing weapons stamps. Every unit used its own devices.
As the letter “M” is not included in the Prussian Police stamp list (except for “Schutzpolizei Münster´ - SM), but is definitely included in the Bavarian Police list (Kommando München – `M´), it would seem likely that “M.” denotes Munich.
The P. would normally denote a Police Academy (Polizeischule). But the only example I could find was “P.R.” used for the Bavarian “Polizei-Reitschule” (Police School of Horsemanship).
The full stop after each letter coincides with the Bavarian usage.
Thus P.M. would very likely denote the Bavarian Police Academy in Munich (always assuming that this really is a Police model P 08)
I hope that this might be of some help – but German unit markings (especially during this period) will always remain an enigma.
Further information is readily available (http://www.polizeigeschichte.de/). This organisation, I am sure, would be more than pleased to answer queries (even in English).
Patrick
