New member with 1914 Luger 9mm

[mrerick]

You'll find our forum's FAQ PDF document by following the "FAQ" link at the top of every page. It's got quite a bit of detailed information about Lugers, markings, variations and other history. It's the accumulated knowledge of the forum gathered over many years.

You should check the side plate to verify it's matching. The exterior number will be the last digits of the serial number. Inside the plate, toward the bottom where the trigger bar hinge is located, you'll find numbers that should correspond to the first digits of the serial number.

It's got a fair amount of finish wear. Normally the trigger, receiver locking bar, safety and extractor are a golden color "strawed" finish, accomplished through heating and quenching the parts. Over time this straw can fade to more black in color, and that may have happened with your Luger.

I see your listings to buy a magazine and loading tool. My recommendation is to take some time, enjoy the Luger you have bought and spend the money on some of the reference books. The best available today is the Sturgess book published by Bob Simpson at Simpsonltd.com. It seems expensive, but is worth every penny.

Welcome to the forum,

Marc

[gaedfly]

Thank you Marc, good advice. I'll take a look at the book you suggest.

Originally Posted by mrerick

You'll find our forum's FAQ PDF document by following the "FAQ" link at the top of every page. It's got quite a bit of detailed information about Lugers, markings, variations and other history. It's the accumulated knowledge of the forum gathered over many years.

You should check the side plate to verify it's matching. The exterior number will be the last digits of the serial number. Inside the plate, toward the bottom where the trigger bar hinge is located, you'll find numbers that should correspond to the first digits of the serial number.

It's got a fair amount of finish wear. Normally the trigger, receiver locking bar, safety and extractor are a golden color "strawed" finish, accomplished through heating and quenching the parts. Over time this straw can fade to more black in color, and that may have happened with your Luger.

I see your listings to buy a magazine and loading tool. My recommendation is to take some time, enjoy the Luger you have bought and spend the money on some of the reference books. The best available today is the Sturgess book published by Bob Simpson at Simpsonltd.com. It seems expensive, but is worth every penny.

Welcome to the forum,

Marc

[gaedfly]

Side plate exterior is definitely marked 48. Inside numbers are almost impossible to make out. With my loupe with blue light on I think I can just make out a 6 and 9, which is good. In the bottom next to the horizontal rod of the trigger bar hinge is a very clear 9. At least it looks like a 9 to my untrained eye.

Bottom of the barrel is marked Bö.29. Under that is the SN, and under that is 8,82.

There are some other markings I have to research but every other number inside is 48.

That's as far as I've gotten. The book you suggest is a bit too pricey for me right now but I'll read whatever else I can.

Originally Posted by mrerick

You'll find our forum's FAQ PDF document by following the "FAQ" link at the top of every page. It's got quite a bit of detailed information about Lugers, markings, variations and other history. It's the accumulated knowledge of the forum gathered over many years.

You should check the side plate to verify it's matching. The exterior number will be the last digits of the serial number. Inside the plate, toward the bottom where the trigger bar hinge is located, you'll find numbers that should correspond to the first digits of the serial number.

It's got a fair amount of finish wear. Normally the trigger, receiver locking bar, safety and extractor are a golden color "strawed" finish, accomplished through heating and quenching the parts. Over time this straw can fade to more black in color, and that may have happened with your Luger.

I see your listings to buy a magazine and loading tool. My recommendation is to take some time, enjoy the Luger you have bought and spend the money on some of the reference books. The best available today is the Sturgess book published by Bob Simpson at Simpsonltd.com. It seems expensive, but is worth every penny.

Welcome to the forum,

Marc

[Geo99]

Originally Posted by mrerick

Over time this straw can fade to more black in color, and that may have happened with your Luger.

Marc

I've heard this said a lot, but I''ve not seen it go all black. I have seen seen straw faded to white, faded to tarnished, faded to gray, faded to speckled spotted, faded to dark brown, but I've never seen straw faded to pure shiny black like this takedown lever. Also the trigger always ends up with lighter/white/gray on the front part where your trigger finger touches it, especially on a gun with this much wear (can't really see that in these pics however).

- Geo