The u is part of the serial number. The number is 4048u. The numbering system would be xxxxt then xxxxu, 9999t would be followed by 01U The letter series are often referred to as "blocks" The s,t, and u blocks mark the end of the DWM factory production in Berlin. The s block starts in approximately 1929, and is more exactly BKIW production, as the treaty commission had by then forced DWM out of ownership. Your u block was probably produced around 1930 before production was transferred to Mauser in Oberndorf.

Many of the reported u block Lugers have police chahacteristics and Police acceptance numbers. If you look on this forum you will find Dwight Gruber's commercial serial number database which lists several P08s with serial numbers within 100 of yours with police markings.

Your pistol does have a sear safety, a sure indicia of Police use and appears to have a shaved frame front. This may indicate some renumbering but is perfectly acceptable in this part of the u block.

Please do not mount your pistol in a vise to take pictures. Lay it on a piece of paper and use a tripod if you have one.

thanks, I knew you would say that. PS: It was not pinched in the vise only sitting in a rag between the jaws. In my work room that is the only way to get enough light.
regards
hn

Harvey,

Could you please confirm whether or not this gun has a crown-over-N proof mark on the left receiver? Thanks much.

--Dwight

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/9270toggle.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/9270left.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/9270rite.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/9270barrell.jpg

Nice pictures :-)

hey, thats a Simson :)

my records show #9270 has a matching magazine. I am guessing I found the information from a dealers listing, because I have no name associated with the record (I don't ever share that info btw)


Ed

yes it has a matching mag. how far back is your database? I have owned this one since 2000.

my database was not started until 2003, however, I received about a hundred numbers from a long time collector, then spent the next 2-3 years assigning further information and adding to it. I purposely bought a hundred or so Shattack, Hoffman and Simpson, LTD lists, some dating to the early 1960's, in addition to receiving direct information from owners and gun shows. I do not include iffy or not sure items into the database. The majority have been secondarily researched by myself, Graham or other collectors.

I am now up to 419 serial numbers; which consists of;

Serial number
acceptance and proofs on the right
Does the stock lug have markings (it should have either E6 E6 or E33 E33
Toggle marked either S or simson & co, Suhl
Does it have police charecterisitcs? (sear only, none or sear & mag safety)
and I have a remarks section (reblue)
Who owns it, or reported it or if it came from a gunboard or listing (this information is never shared, but is handy for me to see where the pistol resides)

Ed

I purchased this one from Hoffman.
h

when did the thred change guns?
it went from 4048 to 9270.