Search For Soldier Who Took WWI Gun As Souvenir

A military museum is appealing for information about a First World War gun which was handed in during a police firearms amnesty.

The German-issued Luger pistol was made in 1911, and it is believed a British soldier took it as a souvenir at Cambrai in 1917.

It was recently donated to the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset after being handed in to police in Wiltshire, who connected it to the battle 102 years ago.

The museum's staff are asking for anyone who may know more to get in touch.

On the leather holster, an inscription reads: "Souvenir of the Big Advance at Cambrai November 1917", and, "to Alice from HUD, Jany 21 - 18".

Curator David Willey wants to find out who took it, so its full story can be told.

"To be able to identify the soldier would be wonderful, and mean we have another story to tell to our visitors," he said.

"Often, these relics became family heirlooms, and we'd love to trace the family it belonged to so we can perhaps find the records of the man who brought it home as a souvenir."

The model was adopted by the German army in 1908 and became their main sidearm in the First World War.

Cover image: The Tank Museum.