Riff Contract question

Dwight Gruber · 02-20-2004, 09:12 PM

Some time between 1926 and 1931 the Riffs, Berber tribesmen in Morocco, contracted DWM for 2,500 Lugers. These pistols are mentioned in Still Volume 1, Kenyon, and Walter (1977 and 1995).

Published information about these guns is sketchy: they are reportedly in the t and/or u suffix block, Commercial proofs, may have an H66 acceptance mark, and according to Kenyon the serial numbers may be slightly larger than standard, and may be re-serialed.

These sources are all several years old, has any new information come to light since then? Can anyone provide examples, particularly of the larger numbers?

--Dwight

Vlim · 02-21-2004, 10:46 AM

Other than the fact that August Weiss confirmed the order and that it was never completed and the guns went to the Reichswehr instead.

So traces of these guns should be sought in the 1931 - 1932 reichswehr deliveries, where the commercial stamping, H66 stamp and U-block numbering are the only giveaways. Giving a war and East-German refurbishments, these may prove difficult to locate/identify.

04-01-2007, 03:58 PM

Think I bought one today. It is all matching numbers includeding wooden bottom mag. It is serial number 59xx t, DWM toggel, Crown over N, Police safety, no date and the front strap is marked "L. W. 18.". I guess this means Lands Weher 18. Is that correct?

04-01-2007, 04:01 PM

oh yes, has WA66 on right side and gun has commerical numbering, i.e. sideplate number on bottom

02-20-2004, 09:12 PM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Riff Contract question Some time between 1926 and 1931 the Riffs, Berber tribesmen in Morocco, contracted DWM for 2,500 Lugers. These pistols are mentioned in Still Volume 1, Kenyon, and Walter (1977 and 1995). Published information about these guns is sketchy: they are reportedly in the t and/or u suffix block, Commercial proofs, may have an H66 acceptance mark, and according to Kenyon the serial numbers may be slightly larger than standard, and may be re-serialed. These sources are all several years old, has any new information come to light since then? Can anyone provide examples, particularly of the larger numbers? --Dwight

02-21-2004, 10:46 AM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	Other than the fact that August Weiss confirmed the order and that it was never completed and the guns went to the Reichswehr instead. So traces of these guns should be sought in the 1931 - 1932 reichswehr deliveries, where the commercial stamping, H66 stamp and U-block numbering are the only giveaways. Giving a war and East-German refurbishments, these may prove difficult to locate/identify.

04-01-2007, 03:58 PM	#3
RGARRETT Guest Posts: n/a	Think I bought one today. It is all matching numbers includeding wooden bottom mag. It is serial number 59xx t, DWM toggel, Crown over N, Police safety, no date and the front strap is marked "L. W. 18.". I guess this means Lands Weher 18. Is that correct?

04-01-2007, 04:01 PM	#4
RGARRETT Guest Posts: n/a	oh yes, has WA66 on right side and gun has commerical numbering, i.e. sideplate number on bottom