Serial number question

Patrick Sweeney · 02-17-2025, 02:01 PM

OK, it is common knowledge that the military serial numbers are four digits, with the first block "bare" and then each subsequent block receiving a letter suffix.

A question I don't think I've ever thought of, popped up in my head: does each serial number block begin at 0000 or at 0001?

And regardless of which is correct, has anyone seen one with such a number?

Doubs · 02-17-2025, 02:13 PM

Neither. Each block begins with 1

Military Luger serial numbers will have no more than 4 digits but can have fewer.

Patrick Sweeney · 02-17-2025, 03:10 PM

Interesting. Anyone ever see a single-digit serial number?

And thanks.

Doubs · 02-17-2025, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Sweeney

Interesting. Anyone ever see a single-digit serial number? And thanks.

The Gortz & Stugess 3 volume set of red books, page 624, has pictures of military Lugers number 1 and number 10000.

Somewhere on this forum, as well as the other Luger forum, you'll find pictures of Lugers with 2 and 3 digit serial numbers.

gunbugs · 02-17-2025, 09:27 PM

At one time at a gunshow in Wasilla,AK. I had in my hands a G date police that was serial number 10000, I don't remember the letter suffix, but the gun was cherry with 2 matching mags and an excellent brown holster.

JonnyP · 05-26-2026, 09:24 PM

Here's a pic of my 1942 byf with a 3-digit serial.

Patrick Sweeney · 05-29-2026, 04:12 PM

Thanks, a tidbit of info to file away for when it might be needed.

biffj · Yesterday, 04:30 PM

I've got a 3 digit navy and have had a 2 digit Erfurt artillery. Both have suffix letters. I've seen a couple single digit serials with and without suffix letters though no number 1's. I've never seen a 10000 but I have seen a 9999a and a 101b. Serials are really nothing special unless there is something special about them. I like 777 numbered guns but that is just a personal thing and not anything special.

Frank

02-17-2025, 02:01 PM	#1
Patrick Sweeney User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 85 Thanks: 0 Thanked 69 Times in 33 Posts	Serial number question OK, it is common knowledge that the military serial numbers are four digits, with the first block "bare" and then each subsequent block receiving a letter suffix. A question I don't think I've ever thought of, popped up in my head: does each serial number block begin at 0000 or at 0001? And regardless of which is correct, has anyone seen one with such a number?

02-17-2025, 03:10 PM	#3
Patrick Sweeney User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 85 Thanks: 0 Thanked 69 Times in 33 Posts	Interesting. Anyone ever see a single-digit serial number? And thanks. Last edited by Patrick Sweeney; 02-17-2025 at 03:11 PM. Reason: typo

02-17-2025, 02:13 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,750 Thanks: 841 Thanked 1,817 Times in 598 Posts	Neither. Each block begins with 1 Military Luger serial numbers will have no more than 4 digits but can have fewer.

02-17-2025, 09:27 PM	#5
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 684 Thanks: 375 Thanked 1,231 Times in 415 Posts	At one time at a gunshow in Wasilla,AK. I had in my hands a G date police that was serial number 10000, I don't remember the letter suffix, but the gun was cherry with 2 matching mags and an excellent brown holster.

05-29-2026, 04:12 PM	#7
Patrick Sweeney User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 85 Thanks: 0 Thanked 69 Times in 33 Posts	Thanks, a tidbit of info to file away for when it might be needed.

Yesterday, 04:30 PM	#8
biffj User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	I've got a 3 digit navy and have had a 2 digit Erfurt artillery. Both have suffix letters. I've seen a couple single digit serials with and without suffix letters though no number 1's. I've never seen a 10000 but I have seen a 9999a and a 101b. Serials are really nothing special unless there is something special about them. I like 777 numbered guns but that is just a personal thing and not anything special. Frank