[Dwight Gruber]

In researching H.P. Police pistols I have run across the Starburst/K stamp--ref. sample 23A, Costanzo, p.162. Costanzo calls this a proof for the Kommunial Polizei, and differentiates it from the Starburst/L for the Landespolezei.

According to Weimar Lugers, Görtz believes that this is an individual Inspector's stamp, and Joe Wotka thinks it is a police arsenal stamp (which one is unspecified). The only 'K' mentioned by Görtz & Bryans, and Still, is the Kriminalpolezei, contrasted with Landjägerei.

Does anyone know where the Kommunial Polezei/Landespolezei terminology comes from (and what they mean)? What is the current thinking on the terminology and the meaning of the mark?

--Dwight

 

[Jan C Still]

Dwight
The Kommunial Police didnt exist in pre 1945 Germany(You would have to ask Costanzo where he derived Kommunial police and some of the other terms that he uses). The Kommunalpolizei/Gemeindepolizei were independent small city police. Page 41 of Weimar Lugers contains a detailed listing of the various police units in Germany.

There is an established format for German police unit markings (see page 195-196 Weimar Lugers). The starburst/k is in the format of an inspectors mark and is either a police arsenal or an individual inspectors stamp.
Jan


Jan C Still
Site Owner - Operator

 

[Dwight Gruber]

Jan,

Thanks much for the reply and reference--very useful info.

--Dwight