Here are a few close ups of the only acceptance marks on the pistol and the letter suffix.

So based on what I could find this is what I came up with.
Mauser Commercial produced 1034-1939. 1-5 digit serial numbers with the commercial proof on the left side of the pistol.
Does this seem correct?

Thanks
Paul

For reasons I cannot explain, I don't believe the pistol is a 30 caliber.

You may be correct, I can’t confirm the caliber at this time. It’s half way across the country.

Somehow these stories about how the Luger came into the possession of American soldier seems to always involved the death or capture of German officer. The vast majority of American's could not interpret the ranking of German troops and many an NCO, based upon his uniform was considered to be an officer. Most officers did not carry Lugers, but smaller caliber handguns. There is an expression used relative to officers in the Germain military, "the higher the rank, the smaller the sidearm".

Also, as previous posters mentioned, this Luger's finish did not happen from sitting in the mud for a couple of days, but over a period of time connected against a damp environment. Listen to the guys with the experience, buy the item, not the story.

put the pencil down the barrel...........

So I do agree with the buy the item not the story. Stories are interesting but.....it’s the pistol I am interested in for sure. So what does the pencil down the barrel tell me, caliber?
From previous comments I gather that the caliber will help place when it was made, is that a fair statement?
Thanks to all who chimed in. I appreciate the education.

Paul

A pencil won't fit down a 30 cal barrel, but will fit in a 9mm hole.

Sounds like a BS story to help sell the gun. There are hundreds of lugers out there to choose from. They always say buy the gun and not the story.

So my BIL was able to do the pencil test on this Luger and it is a 9mm.
Not sure if this is helps shed some more light on what this may be? Does 9mm make this a more desirable Luger?

Thanks
Paul

Paul, yes...but on a marginal condition pistol..not that much. For a shooter, some yes. 9MM is cheaper than .30.

According to Costanzo in his "Proofmarks" book, this banner falls in the Swiss commerical range, but he shows them as 7.65mm with the 4&3/4" (120mm) long barrel with a grip safety. TH

There is no grip safety that I can see. I does have the stock lug. Waiting on a barrel measurement from the BIL.

If you have G&S red books, check pages 768 & 769. The first Oberndorf Swiss pistols in the 5xxv range began in 1931-1932. Then, at approximately 900v in 1933, and over the next 1,000 to approximately 1900v when the 1935 Portuguese GNR contract began, there was a mix of configurations including Swiss models, Stoeger AE Lugers and blank chamber 9mm Lugers with 100mm barrels which fits the OP's Luger. The .30 caliber Lugers within that range were made with both 98mm and 120mm barrels.

Based on what I can find and see this appears to be an early Mauser Swiss contract Luger? Made after the transition from DWM to Mauser? No number on the side plate and a proof mark on the toggle train.
Thanks to all who have responded.

Not in today's gun frenzy

Ammoseek - cheapest 9mm available 46.8c per round
30 Luger 45c per round (Prvi of Fiocchi)

The Swiss pattern Lugers had a grip safety, cross-in-shield and were made, if I'm reading G&S correctly, on a long frame. Your pistol isn't one of the Swiss contract guns. Read my post #34 above.

My mistake on the Swiss contract. Reading some Joops information he states that there was confusion at Mauser during the first 1600 V series.