Another of my Lugers that is one of my favorites.

A 1917 Erfurt Imperial. Showing it's age a bit. While not pristine, unit marked Luger collector's consider condition important, but secondary depending on the marking.

Right side..

Made in 1917 at the Erfurt gov't arsenal.

The unit mark is extremely rare.

17.3KP.FLA.M.G.ABT.912

17th section
3rd Kompagnie
Fliegerabwehr-Machinengewehr
Abteilung 912

Fliegerabwehr(Flyer Defense) or Flugabwehr(Air Defense) units known as "Flamgas'", were formed in 1916-1917. To defend command posts, supply depots, ammo dumps,etc. from Allied air attack.

Each unit was made up of 3 companies, with 12 machineguns in each company. As it was applied after unit marks were no longer required. And due to the limited number of "Flamgas'". Consisting of MG Abteilungs No. 801,803,901-921 and 925. For a total of only 23 Sections.(pg192 of Imperial German Army 1914-1918 organization,structure,orders-of-battle. By Hermann Cron)
Unit mark expert Mr Klaus Schad states that this unit was formed January 1st 1917, and was part of the 7th Army group.
The 17th Anti-Aircraft section was attached to the 12th Inf. Div.

Photos of Flamga's. The upper right photo, while not a Flamga, is a shipboard Navy AA gun.

Ron

One final photo...

I might add that the photos themselves are scarce, and difficult to find.

Thanks...
Ron

Ron,

Great looking pistols and photos!

Thanks for sharing with us.

Bill

Hello,

i own a german Bajonett S84/98n.A. with the very rare unit mark 74.2Komp.Fla.MG.Abt.912.

So the total of only 23 districs can not be correkt.

so here´s a pic.

I agree very rare unit mark on your bayonet.

I was told at the time that there were only 23 detachments. And that Cron was incorrect in his statement that there were 103 detachments. Obviously Cron was correct. Thanks very much for posting your bayonet. It is indeed a very rare piece. Should you decide to sell it, please let me know.


Ron

amelson@comcast.net

Dow, thanks again for the heads up..

I had to re-register on this forum under a different name. I couldn't log-on under my old registration. The Artist formerly known as Nixie.