1920 Commercial Lugers

[Kyrie]

Hi Bill,


I'm afraid I have to respectfully disagree.


"1920 Commercial" is the name given to Lugers produced (or "reproduced") in Germany in the 1920's, usually with 7.65 mm Parabellum barrels, usually with commercial proof, and with serial numbers in the military numbering system and style. Many of these pistols still show Great War military proof and acceptance, and have chamber dates from the Great War. These Imperial marking may or may not be partially obliterated. In those pistols without chamber dates a close examination of the chamber area of the barrel extension will generally show that area to be out of round due to the removal of a chamber date. The military serial numbering and remnants of WWI chamber dates, as well as the other Imperial markings, establishes these pistols were originally made before the Weimar era.


"1923 Commercial" is the name given by collectors to Lugers that are similar to 1920 Commercials, except that they are serial numbered in the commercial serial number range (73500 through 96000, according to Kenyon) in the commercial style, and have no Imperial markings.


There are pictures of a1920 Commercial Artillery and a 1923 Commercial from my collection pictured in the Owners' Corner. If you would be so kind as to take a look at those I think you may see why collectors have differentiated between the two variations as they have.


Best regards,


Kyrie