[Jan C Still]

LUGERS OF THE DRAGOON REGIMENTS. PART 5/5
1908 DWM, SERIAL NUMBER 6099, DETAILS AND ACCESSORIES

1908 DWM Lugers (often referred to as first issues)are reported in the 1 to 4828b serial range and were manufactured without hold open, stock lug, and with commercial style (hidden)serial placement. These were manufactured in 1909 and about 25,000 were manufactured. About 25 percent are unit marked ( I have a data base with 128 unit marked 1908 DWM’s.).


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Figure 65. Left slant view of 1908 DWM, serial number 6099. The serial number placement is hidden (commercial style). It does not have matching grips. The left frame is inscribed “Lt Mauser”. Such a name could not be found in the unit history.


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Figure 66. Top,1908 DWM, serial number 6099.


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Figure 67. Right side of 1908 DWM, serial number 6099. According to a May 6,1913 directive all P08's in service without a hold open were to have the hold open retrofitted. This was accomplished by Erfurt. A small crown / P indicates a hold open was retrofitting to this Luger. The end of the pin placed to retain the hold open is properly in the white. The “Germany” was added sometime during the 1920s prior to export to an English speaking country.


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Figure 68. Left receiver and barrel of 1908 DWM, serial number 6099. The receiver proofs and acceptance stamps are under the blue. The barrel proof is comparatively delicate and through the blue.


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Figure 69. Front of frame and bottom of barrel of 1908 DWM, serial number 6099. The serial number of the take down lever and side plate are in the commercial style (hidden). Note: the slightly visible halo around the digits of the barrel serial number and lack of halo on the frame serial number. The barrel serial number is through the blue.


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Figure 70. 1908 DWM, serial number 6099, showing 26 Dragoon unit markings on front strap.


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Figure 71. Luger, holster, sword and battle history all marked to the 26th Dragoon Regiment. Luger and holster marked to the 2nd Squadron of the 26th Dragoon Regiment. M89 sword marked to the (2nd Wurttemburg) 26th Dragoon Regiment, and the World War I battle history of the 26th Dragoon (2nd Wurttemburg) Regiment.


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Figure 72. World War I battle history of the 26 Dragoon Regiment published in 1921.


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Figure 73. M89 sword marked marked: Drag. Regt. Konig (II. Wurtt) No. 26.


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Figure 74. Reverse side of 26th Dragoon marked M89 sword.


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Figure 75. Luger and holster both marked to the second Eskadron of the (2nd Wurttemburg) 26 th Dragoon Regiment


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Figure 76. Holster marked 2.D.R.26. and 2ES. The 2.D.R.26. signifies 2nd Wurttemburg Dragoon Regiment which is the 26th Dragoon Regiment in the German line. The 2ES signifies Squadron (Eskadron) 2. (Owned this holster for a year before it was determined that it matched the 26th Dragoon (2nd Wurttemburg) Regiment Luger. (Holsters were not under the same regulations as weapons. Their unit markings vary. Sometimes they are the same as weapons and sometimes they use the same abbreviations as found on dog tags or uniforms.)


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Figure 77. Holster back showing splice. This holster was made from Reichsrevolver holster parts


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Figure 78. Dragoon regiment holster maker marked “J.M. ECKART / ULM / 1913".


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Figure 79. Details of 26.D.2.14. unit markings. These signify 26 Dragoon-Regiment, Eskadron 2, Waffe Nr. 14. The 2nd Wurttemburg Dragoon Regiment was the 26th Dragoon Regiment in the German line.

 

[Jan C Still]

HISTORY OF THE 26TH DRAGOON REGIMENT
During World War I the 26th Dragoon Regiment was part of the 7th Cavalry Division and the 7th Cavalry Schutzen Division. During 1914 and 1915 the 7th Cavalry Division battled on the Western Front at Lothringen , Nancy-Epinal, Aisne, Somme, Douai, Arras, Lille, Ypern
Bandonviller, and Leitrey. In 1916 the division was transferred to Romania where (during 1916 and 1917) it participated in the destruction of the Romanian Army. In late 1917 the Division was transferred to the Western Front. The Division lost its horses and became the 7th Cav. Schutzen Div. (foot soldiers). As such, it battled at Lorthingen, Vogesen , Monchy-bapaume, Cambrai, St. Quenten, Flanders, Yser, and Lys.


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Figure 80. Officer photograph from the 26th Dragoon Regiment History. By the wars end all the officers in this photograph were KIA.


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Figure 81. Eastern Front photograph showing the 26th Dragoon Regiment crossing the Buzau.


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Figure 82. Cold rugged area of the Eastern Front showing one of the 26th Dragoon Regiment lancers armed with a P08.


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Figure 83. Illustration showing German and Hungarian cavalry battling retreating Romanian troops during 1916. The lancers of the 26th Dragoon Regiment fought Romanian troops in battles such as this during 1916.


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Figure 84. During 1918 cavalry regiments were dismounted to form infantry regiments for use on the Western Front. The dismounted 26th Dragoon Regiment fought in fierce battles such as this on the Western Front during 1918.

 

[Edward Tinker]

Thanks Jan for this five-part series, very informative and interesting~!

Ed

 

[cpw]

Thanks for taking the time to set up and post this series. I have learned a great deal from it.

 

[Heinz]

Just when I thought I could live without a regimental marked P08!

 

[RockinWR]

Jan,
* Who said: "If a Luger could just talk; the stories it could tell"?? I think you've again taught us all how to begin to speak "Lugerese".
* Amazing what focus, time, & talent can accomplish. You continue to raise the bar.
* Thank you for a wonderful, educational series of posts.