Hi Kevin, Your i block I918 was manufactured in the summer of 1918 so it did not see much WWI service (hostilities ended Nov 11).
i figure your gun at the low end of "collector grade". Regards, Norm

Norme, Thanks for addressing my questions!

FNorm, Thanks again,glad you liked the pics. Yea,I cant help but to shoot every gun I own,seems cruel not to let these guns do what they were built to do....like not letting a champion horse run!

Toggle locks??Oh krap! Have any idea's on my WW2 grip markings? or about a $$ replacement value on this Luger?...

Kevin,
The original grips (1918) were numbered to the gun with the last two digits. I don't remember exactly but I think that the E/655 showed up around 1940-41. So I think the grips were cut to fit over an already clipped mag safety. The E stamped on the grip is an inspectors mark. You will also find initials or numbers randomly stamped on other parts of the gun. They were applied at different stages of production.

MFC,

Yes,my other grip plate is numbered to the gun. I believe "655" was a mauser proof, guess this grip was made by them...guessing the original on this side must have been damaged and replaced by this one during WW2.

Kevin.

I would definately say this is a collector luger. One would really need to see it in person to give an accurate appraisal. You took excellent pictures but pictures are sometimes hard to read as far as originality. It's hard to tell on the grip. It is a Mauser grip. Could have been put on anywhere after the 1930's. Very nice luger. Now you need a 1918 holster. You need to obtain a copy of Jan Still's new book " Central Power Pistols". Excellent book with very nice pictures and much info. Welcome to the Forum. Be aware that lugers are contagious and one cannot live with one. Bill

Can anyone who owns a non-altered magazine safety pistol post a photo? I've seen a number of removed and clipped mag safeties, but never an intact one...

heers68,
I really can't add much to what the other guys have posted. I have been collecting for 52 years.

alanint,
Not the best photo of an intact mag safety, but here it is:

So mag safety lugers also had a plunger? under the sideplate, which when depressed, (i.e. no magazine holding it out) prevented the trigger from moving back? Where these plungers also removed along with clipping the actuator bar?

You are correct about the functioning of the plunger. The magazine safeties were usually deactivated by completely removing them. But if they were left on the gun, generally only the tab that went behind the trigger was removed. I have seen examples where the safety was removed and the little slot on the side of the frame was welded up and refinished.

Great Luger in nice condition!
I bet you wear a mask when you stole it, I mean, bought it...
Congratulations!
Douglas