new owner needs basic help//
 

I inheritated a luger, have done some basic research. Its a dwm model, has all matching numers except clips. It has an original holster with extra sight and spare clip. Other than that I have no idea how to figure out what year it is, how should I care for it does it have much value etc. . I would be happy to send pictures if someone can help me.

Lasn,

I'm about as basic as you can get! Pictures are needed to be able to tell you anything. There's instructions here on the board, but I can't look that up and type too. Basically write your message, then page down to find 'Advanced' Find upload pictures. As for pictures, look through the site albums. Note the lighting and what is needed from the piece. i.e. Toggle, right side proofs, chamber stampings, front of frame, under the barrel, etc.

Care for it as you would any fine gun. But don't get oil on the wood grips.

Pictures for review
 

Maybe someone can tell me something about this gun- I am not even certain what caliber it is. What is your opinion of it overall condition/value Thanks

Lasn,

Looks like you have a commercial luger, called the alphabet series. See the crown/N above the numbers on the left side? These were made from 1921-1928. I can't quite read the letter under the ser. no. on the front of the frame. That would give me a month and year. There were about 90,000 of these made. Somewhere on it you'll also find 'Germany' or' Made in Germany' if it was exported to the USA.

Calibre? One test is to see if the eraser end of a wood pencil will fit down the muzzle. Lot's of room, it's a 9mm. No go, or tight it's a 7.65

I'll let the better informed tell you about the holster, and condition The mags look like commercial variety.

FN

It appears that you have 4-500 bucks worth of mags..as long as the other sides look like the pics and the bases ae not chipped or gouged.

I am confused by this gun.

With all those C/N, it also has military style explicit s/n and RC barrel etc.

Is it a valid variation? Please teach me on this one.

You're right , Steve. I didn't look close enough. Type 4 army mags.

ok- a little more info....
 

nowhere on the gun does it say germany. Also there is nothing under ther serial # on the frame to show month and year of manufacture. It is a 9mm. On the underside of the barrel below ther ser no and some little emblem is 8,83. The litte symbol looks like a lower case p turned about 15 degrees clockwise.

Lasn,

Go to the left side of the screen. Technical information. Letter suffixes. Pick out the one that looks most like yours. e.g. if 6961p is the whole serial number of your pistol. Or at least the frame. If that's the case, your pistol was made roughly between Mar 1926, and Feb 1927.

There is a letter under the serial...pic lightened below...

Barrel is a cornucopia of markings...

Thanks, post. That looks like an S to me. Then, there was an increased production rate. S series from the very last of 1928 to the first 2-3 months of 1929. From Still's:" Mostly police production with E/Wa66 stamps. Some military, few commercial."

I don't see a sear safety.

I am only an egg...but it is the first bore diameter I've seen stamped on the contour of the barrel flange... :confused:

Agree, Post. Let's see what the 'Old Guys' have to say.

So Lasn,

Let's see if we here can agree on this. It is a DWM, late alphabet series. Not police as it doesn't have a sear safety. Lots of what are usually military markings on the barrel. Military mags, but from 1941-42. Check those for markings. Should have an Eagle/37, small letters fxo, and a P.08 on the left side. Conclusion: An alphabet that went to the military?

The 8.83 is the bore diameter in mm, from land to land.

FN

ok, my 2 cents

never seen those markings on the left of a luger.

best guess it is a commericial that went into military service.

cailber is 9mm (the 8,83) land to land measurement

No date stamp on top would be correct.


Ed

How to explain the C/RC? Is it a WWI left over spare barrel, had never been installed, new at late 1920s, Weimar Eagle applied and replaced the original barrel.... make some sense -- who else could or would make 9m/m barrel except Simson in 1920s.... only left over could be used if it's not by the official supplier.

you described the exact markings on the clips

The barrel has the same serial number as the rest of the gun, also there is a V on the very front of the forward sight- ie looking down the barrel

the marking under the serial number is a S what ever that may mean. I matched it with the suffex' s on the technical page.

My best guess is that it started out a a 30 cal. 29 DWM commercial with C/N proof on receiver, breechblock, and original barrel. It was later put into military service. Barrel changed to 9mm and military style serial number placement added to follow regulations. If the takedown lever and sideplate or original you will also find '61' stamped on the bottom edge of each part (hidden commercial style).

Would like to see close up picture of barrel SN.

On this gun it would be interesting to see a picture of the Barrel to Frame witness mark.

thanks

Vern

here you go..
 

and there is a ser no. on the side of the take down plate

i am a little confused- what do you mean "4-500 bucks worth of mags"?

The two magazines you pictured are both a desirable variation. If they look as nice on the other side they are worth $200-$250 each...

wow- great since...
 

they are both in perfect shape. So with all the input and discussion, do I have a shooter or something more? Also what should I do about cleaning the gun up and removing the surface rust. Should I also clean the holster? the date on it shows 1939 and it has the original metal tool that is in the pocket. Any idea on value?

Larry,
Look on the bottom edge of the takedown lever and sideplate for the last two digits '61'.
Pic shows location.
It looks like the suffix of the replaced barrel is not the same as the frame.

Side by side of suffixes.

fonts on the barrel are slightly different than the receiver.

The witness mark is not real clear but it looks aligned but not the same strike. I could be wrong.

Interesting gun

Vern

matching numbers..
 

the numbers on the edge and the side of the takedown plate as well as all the parts on the gun are the same - 61. ALSO here is a picture of the right side of the gun which I had not attached before.

so the boards verdict is?...
 

In the post 2 below this one "new owner needs basic help" I have received a lot of input that was very informative. I have a couple last questions.
- Is this gun a shooter or is it more a collector?
- What year is it?
-Any speculation on value with the holster, 2 clips and gun?

THANKS,
Larry

L:
I'm not seeing a link, however one man's shooter is another man's collector. The bar is a bit higher here on this board but generally original finish with mostly matching #'s is a "looker" and seems a shame to risk breaking. The secret is to own several. Some to look at and at least one to shoot.
DJU

Thanks
 

Its 3 posts below this one- titled "New owner needs basic help"

If I were buying I'd try to get it for $1000; selling maybe $1400. Probably not what you wanted to hear. Maybe others value it higher. We'll see.
DJU

Hi Larry, Your gun was made in early 1929 using an illegal 9mm barrel made during WWI. The magazines were made in1941/42. This Luger has had an interesting history, (I can hear you saying "yeah, but you can't eat history!), and if I owned it I would not shoot it. Regards, Norm

I merged the posts, if you are going to refer to a previous posting, it is best to post a link or simply add to that same posting.


Admin

Norm - Please explain why this particular 9mm barrel was made illegally...Us new guys don't know why, and we're too embarrassed to ask... :p

"By law.... by whose law? If you follow Chiang Kai-shek's law, how can you overthrow him?" -- Chairman Mao :)

If German had followed everything that Allied wanted, there would be no WWII. Who knows, maybe that's not a bad option.

Hi Larry, Under the terms of the armistice agreement that ended WWI, Germany was severely restricted in the amount of military weapons it could possess. 9mm. was considered a military caliber. Germany chaffed at these restrictions and rearmed in secret, until 1936, when they were strong enough to defy the allies. Regards, Norm

Thanks for the info. I have no intentions of firing or selling it. Per numerous instructions on this board I have cleaned up the Grips, disassembled and cleaned the gun and cleaned the holster. It's really a beautiful piece. Can someone describe how the tool in the holster works (what the heck it's for- loading the magazine I think?) What a masterpiece of engineering.

Here you go
 

this video is self explaining:thumbup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BexsgU87mYg