[pogue]

I have an 1879 Reichs revolver (the one with the long belled barrel) that has a unit mark of BFG III 18. I'm guessing 3rd Bavarian Foot Guards, but would like your opinions.

BTW, does anyone have a link to Imperial German unit marks that you can post?


TIA

 

[ij70]

BFG would be in German, Bavarian Foot Guard is in English. My personal favorite is Doom inspired Big F#cking Gun.

 

[pogue]

Bayerisches Fuss Garde - coincidence that the first letters also match the English. I also thought of the BFG in Doom!

 

[rayj]

Pogue, Might try here: http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~maampo/militaer/milindex.html.

I took a quick look but didn't see your mark. However the III may be a Korps designation. Anyway, good luck! Ray

 

[Wapruf2]

Please provide a photo of the mark if you can.

 

[Wapruf2]

BFG III 18 may = Bayerisches Feldgendarmerie (Truppe) of 3d Armeekorps Waffennummer 18 = Bavarian Miltary Police (troop) of the 3rd Army Corps, weapon number 18.
If it was part of a a direct contract lot for Bavaria there should be a GF on the left barrel flat and on the back of the cylinder (if the cylinder matches); the original finish was brown.

 

[pogue]

I'll have to wait until Sunday when I get back from the holiday to check for the other markings mentioned. Thanks to all for their answers.

 

[pogue]

Yes, it does indeed have the GF stamp on the barrel flat, so that would make it Bayerisches Feldgendarmerie. Thanks!

 

[Wapruf2]

If you decide to part with it I'd like first refusal.
For reloading data see the thread on Still's Luger Forum.

 

[Wapruf2]

My ID of this stamp follows Wacker & Görtz, Handbuch Deutscher Waffenstempel auf Militär-und Diensthandwaffen von 1871 bis 2000, Herne, VS Books, 2005, S.83, where B.F.G.II.16 is cited as Feld-Gendarmerie des 2. Armeekorps, Revolver Nr.16, per Bavarian marking regulations of 1882.
My copy of the Prussian regulations of 1877 gives as specific examples:
F.G.G. = Feld-Gensdarmerie des Garde
F.G.VI.16. = Feld-Gensdarmerie [des] 6. Armee-Korps, Pistol Nr.16.
(Gensdarmerie is an earlier spelling of Gendarmerie)

 

[Wapruf2]

Wacker & Götz is still in print and available from the publisher; see their website.

 

[pogue]

I forgot to mention that the B.F.G. are in Roman font, not Blackletter. I don't know if that makes a difference, though I have seen some unit marks in Blackletter.

 

[Wapruf2]

Roman is correct per the sources cited. "Blackletter" (Gothic/Fraktur/script) characters do change meanings. For example, per Prussian 1877 regs, Roman G = Garde, Gensdarmerie, Grenadier, Geistlicheit, or Garnison, but Fraktur G = General.
BTW, 1909 Prussian regs contain nothing for Feldgendarmerie...