Serial numbers.....

Doubs · 10-17-2003, 09:32 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by jaguar:
I did the pencil trick which yielded 95mm or 3 3/4 inches. The mark under the serial number appears to be "Script" R. Hard to tell exactly. Jag<hr /></blockquote>Some barrels have been reported as 95mm so that's not unusual. The script letter indicates a commercial "Alphabet" Luger and an "r" would place it in the latter part of the 1920's I believe.

Until roughly 1923, only military Lugers used a letter suffix in the serial number and commercial pistols did not. Following WW1, production of commercial Lugers by DWM began where they left off before the war or about 75,000. At approximately 92,000 DWM began using a suffix letter beginning with "i" which is the 9th letter of the alphabet. Each block of letters contained 10,000 Lugers (example: 1a - 10,000a) so "i" would have been 90,000. Commercial Lugers without suffix letters are known up to approximately 92,000.

Military pistols with suffix letter also have the last two numbers of the serial number stamped prominently on the sideplate, take-down lever, trigger bar and other parts..... all easily seen from the side. Commercial Lugers stamped the final two numbers UNDER the sideplate and take-down lever in the commercial manner and are not seen from the side. Military Lugers will also have a date (unless converted) on the chamber while a commercial will not. Post-WW1 military guns converted to commercial will vary in details and do not count.

Your "Alphabet" Luger will not have a date and will have the last two of the serial number on the underside of the sideplate and take-down lever. Also on the rear toggle link aft of the sight. The right side of the receiver will be clean unless stamped "GERMANY" and the left side will have only the C/N proof mark. The underside of the barrel should carry the serial number including the suffix letter I believe. The barrel may also have the C/N proof mark.

These are the most common of all Lugers but are well made and reliable shooters. They are also quite accurate. Enjoy yours.

10-17-2003, 09:32 PM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,753 Thanks: 845 Thanked 1,826 Times in 601 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by jaguar: <strong>I did the pencil trick which yielded 95mm or 3 3/4 inches. The mark under the serial number appears to be "Script" R. Hard to tell exactly. Jag</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Some barrels have been reported as 95mm so that's not unusual. The script letter indicates a commercial "Alphabet" Luger and an "r" would place it in the latter part of the 1920's I believe. Until roughly 1923, only military Lugers used a letter suffix in the serial number and commercial pistols did not. Following WW1, production of commercial Lugers by DWM began where they left off before the war or about 75,000. At approximately 92,000 DWM began using a suffix letter beginning with "i" which is the 9th letter of the alphabet. Each block of letters contained 10,000 Lugers (example: 1a - 10,000a) so "i" would have been 90,000. Commercial Lugers without suffix letters are known up to approximately 92,000. Military pistols with suffix letter also have the last two numbers of the serial number stamped prominently on the sideplate, take-down lever, trigger bar and other parts..... all easily seen from the side. Commercial Lugers stamped the final two numbers UNDER the sideplate and take-down lever in the commercial manner and are not seen from the side. Military Lugers will also have a date (unless converted) on the chamber while a commercial will not. Post-WW1 military guns converted to commercial will vary in details and do not count. Your "Alphabet" Luger will not have a date and will have the last two of the serial number on the underside of the sideplate and take-down lever. Also on the rear toggle link aft of the sight. The right side of the receiver will be clean unless stamped "GERMANY" and the left side will have only the C/N proof mark. The underside of the barrel should carry the serial number including the suffix letter I believe. The barrel may also have the C/N proof mark. These are the most common of all Lugers but are well made and reliable shooters. They are also quite accurate. Enjoy yours.

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