[Ron Smith]

Has anyone ever seen this sort of marking on an Imperial? Possibly someone's initials? Or an official marking?

Ron

Download Attachment: VPS luger.jpg
57.76 KB

 

[donmaus]

Vopo?

 

[keoki7]

Vizefeldwebel Perigrinator Schmidt, your grand dad's long lost wandering cousin.

 

[Guest_V]

I always get markings wrong - so don´t take my word for this:

"V" is usually either:-
- Five,
- Versuchs- (trials) or
- Veterinär (veterinary).

But if this is a police Luger it would most likely be Verkehrs- (transport or road traffic)
"P.S." is the standard Saxony police stamp.

 

[Ron Smith]

Thanks guys. I just found out that it is a police Luger. It has a sear safety. So I would guess that Patrick's guess would be the closest. I was really hoping that it was a military marking but does'nt look to be.

Ron

 

[donmaus]

Ron,

Your disappointment is my interest! This will make a unique entry in my database of police unit marks. May I have some more information on the gun: toggle logo, chamber date(s), s/n & suffix, interesting proofs, etc.?

 

[Ron Smith]

Don, Nothing unusual except the marking. A basic 1917 DWM. Ser# 8248a. No provision for mag safety.

 

[donmaus]

Thanks, Ron.

 

[Guest_V]

Ron,

as it´s police it can only be
"Verkehrspolizei Sachsen" Saxony Traffic Police. The present day Saxony traffic cops would certainly be interested.

 

[Ron Smith]

Patrick, Would these be traffic directors, who would stand in an intersection? Or would they be patroling traffic, as in a police car? Also were they Landjägerei, Schutzpolizei or a separate unit?
Ron

 

[Guest_V]

Ron,

the Landjäger were rural local police. The Verkehrspolizei direct and control road traffic. They´d stand at a road crossing, direct traffic and also patrol.

 

[Ron Smith]

Patrick, Thanks for the information. I'm really not into police lugers that much, but this one has me hooked. I'm trying to negotiate a deal with the seller. If I can get it,I will post some photos.

Ron

 

[Ron Smith]

Patrick,

There is some consternation regarding the V.P.S. meaning Verkehrspolizei. The only relation to this are Lugers marked P.T.V. There must be some other explanation. I have checked every referrence that I can find, to no avail. I have received the Luger. Photos and discription have been posted in this section.

Thanks, Ron

 

[klaus]

quote:Originally posted by Ron Smith

Patrick,

There is some consternation regarding the V.P.S. meaning Verkehrspolizei. The only relation to this are Lugers marked P.T.V. There must be some other explanation. I have checked every referrence that I can find, to no avail. I have received the Luger. Photos and discription have been posted in this section.

Thanks, Ron

Ron,
here is my explanation. There were no "Traffic Cops" in the early 20's in Saxony or any other state(no Autobahn and no VW's, only dung-waggons).
But "technical" centurias (Hundertschaften) were formed for the motor pools. The motor pool of the Landes-Polizei Sachsen was located in Dresden and serviced by one Hundertschaft.
Incidentally, every reported Sax. unit mark so far started out with "S.P." or "S.L." and not with "P.S."

A Hundertschaft in the state of Wuerttemberg was called "Polizei-Schar" and had a strenght of 120-180 officers and men. One "Polizei-Verkehrs-Kraftwagen-Schar" and one Pol.Sd.Wg.(Pz.Kw.)Schar (Police- Armored-Vehicle-Centuria), were stationed in the district of Stuttgart.

IMO, "V.P.S." stands for Verkehrs(Kraftwagen)-Polizei-Schar of Wuerttemberg.

Source : Die kasernierte Polizei 1920-1932 in Feldgrau

Note. I could come up with several Weimar or Imperial IDs but don't wanna elaborate w/o docs.

Klaus

 

[Ron Smith]

Klaus my friend. Thank you very much. This is great! Again I owe you. If I can ever repay you, or do you any favor at all. Please do not hesitate to ask.

Again, thank you very much! Ron

 

[klaus]

quote:Originally posted by keoki7

Vizefeldwebel Perigrinator Schmidt, your grand dad's long lost wandering cousin.

Well George, you were the only one who made some sense !!!

Klaus

 

[klaus]

quote:Originally posted by Ron Smith

Klaus my friend. Thank you very much. This is great! Again I owe you. If I can ever repay you, or do you any favor at all. Please do not hesitate to ask.

Again, thank you very much! Ron

Ron,
I'm gonna take you up for some "Hefeweize" at the next gun show in Reno and this time I'm trying not to get lost in the elevator at Hiltons.

Klaus

 

[Ron Smith]

Klaus, You've got it!! Thanks again, Ron

 

[Ron Smith]

Klaus, What duties did they perform? Were they drivers, mechanics, or mechanized units, etc.? I have been trying to research, but am limited on my resources.


Thanks! Ron

 

[Ron Smith]

Klaus and all, I just received a copy of German Police Vol.I by Angolia and Taylor. A very interesting book. With a large amount of information on the Weimar and Third Reich Police units, formation and organization. While scanning through it I found a reference to the V.P.S.


In case War time mobilization was required. A special unit was set up. The "verstärkte Polizeischutz or V.P.S." was to be activated to be used to guard and defend installations, munitions factories, supplies, and industries essential to the war effort. They would also be used as an evacuation and rescue service. "They would become part of the local guard formations". Kind of their version of Homeland Security.

Don Maus mentioned the book in a previous post, so I ordered it. Don has informed me that he has found a few minor errors,in his opinion, but it seems to be accurate for the most part.

Ron