Gentlemen:
In reading the above posts, it seems to appear the majority of commercial Lugers were stamped "Germany". I have a DWM, serial #9805-K", which I'm told is a production year of 1922. It has no "Germany" stamp anywhere. How unusual is that? I mean, were most, or only some marked that way?
As a side note, being new to the Luger addiction, I believe even Sherlock Holmes would have had his hands full trying to track down all of the clues about Luger's many variants and anomalies.
Best Regards,
Adler Auger

Elementary Watson... The Luger was originally sold in Europe and is probably a bring back. :rolleyes:

Adler,

Only commertial Lugers destined to be sold in the US have a "Germany" stamped on them. Our regs, not theirs.
I am not aware of any other country that required the country of manufacturing origen to be stamped on firearms being imported.

Gentlemen:
As always, appreciate the reply and the information.
If I may push the "question" envelope one more time. I've searched the site looking for the subject of numbered vs non-numbered side plates and I'm still not clear on the issue.
My DWM, #9805-K has all matching parts except magazine and side plate. I've scoured the side plate and there are no marks, numbers, symbols, etc. It's my understanding (however fuzzy) that commercial Lugers should have a numbered side plate; Ja, Nein??
I await the verdict.
Best Regards,
Adler Auger aka Dale

Dale, Yes..Commercial Lugers will have the sideplate number on the underside ledge.

Jerry Burney

Thanks Jerry:
I'll keep my eyes peeled for side plate #05 in that case. And even if I don't find one, it's still a great little shooter.
Best Regards,
Dale

I wonder about the side plate numbering myself. I have a commercial Luger in 7.65 without a numbered sideplate. I'm about 99% sure its never been refinished and the sideplate looks like its been on it since the day it left the factory.

David,
It is possible, but unlikely, that it left the factory without a number. The number should be there, so it will always be considered mismatched, even if it was a factory mistake/oversight.

Definitely no number along the lower edge?

I agree that it will always be viewed as mismatched and it is too bad in this guns case. I just have a feeling that it left the factory this way.I was lucky enough to pick it up on the cheap (guy just didn't want it)so no harm done on the wallet. I even looked under magnification for a sign of a number but there is none. I don't get the chance to shoot much anymore, but if I do, it should make one heck of a shooter.

Great Britain had (has) a counry-of-origin import identification requirement, but I'm not sure how that applies to firearms. Britain does have a national proof law, and foreign weapons include "Not English Made" in the proof suite.

--Dwight

Dwight and others: Here is the stamp "not english made" that was referred to. So far as halo , no halo You can be the judge. Its from a byf 43 P.38. I hope you can see it clear enough, my picture skills are lacking a bit. ..Thank You, Dale

Dale, Nice clear photo. It's my recollection that most "tommy" bring back firearms never were registered, although to have them LEGALY registered, the proof house inspection and markings were required. TH