Luger year by serial?

[Roadster 02]

Hey Norm,

Thanks for your help. Is there any way to narrow it down any more short of using some kind of process to recover the lost numbers?

Tom

[Norme]

Hi Tom,
Yes, I could go down stairs to the gun room and look it up for you in Jan C. Stills' "Imperial Lugers" but I'm not going to. I don't want to deny you the pleasure of looking it up for yourself in the finest Luger reference work ever written. It's a little dated now and it ain't cheap, but it will transform your life as a Luger collector, at least it did mine.
Regards, Norm

[Roadster 02]

Well thanks for the help you already gave. I'm not going to spend 300+ bucks on more books for another gun collecting hobby at this late date in life. I already have a fortune in books, guns, and parts in my M1 carbine sickness, I'm not gonna go down that road now with Lugers. If I buy this shooter Luger, I will be content to know the date is one of three possible years and keep my $300. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Tom,
Yes, I could go down stairs to the gun room and look it up for you in Jan C. Stills' "Imperial Lugers" but I'm not going to. I don't want to deny you the pleasure of looking it up for yourself in the finest Luger reference work ever written. It's a little dated now and it ain't cheap, but it will transform your life as a Luger collector, at least it did mine.
Regards, Norm

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Roadster 02

Hey Norm,

Thanks for your help. Is there any way to narrow it down any more short of using some kind of process to recover the lost numbers?

Tom

Not really, the serial number with 4 digits and "e" limits it to 1915,16,17,or 18. The sear bar could have been relieved post mfg.

The degree of original external polish/finish would give a clue, but still won't get you any closer than 3 years- but this one has had all original finish polished away, so I think you will have to be happy with a 4 year window.