1917 dwm
 

Hello, I'm new to the forum and have a few questions on 1917 DWM Luger I recently purchased. It is in VG original cond with a high 90% blue and straw blue, all numbers that I can see are matching except the wood bottom mag, bore is excellent, grips are clean and free of cracks with sharp checkering. There is a R under the ser # in front of the trigger guard on the frame can you tell me what this means the serial #is in the correct range for a 1917 DWM and proofs match ones on your markings page. I'm afraid to do anything except wipe it down with a gun cloth as I know nothing about these. Thank you for any help
Paul

Welcome to the forum, Paul. A cursive lower-case letter would be expected (Odds are 26-to-1) on a military Luger, and it's the "letter suffix"--part of the serial number. Each manufactured "block' of pistols contained 10,000 pistols, and after 9,999, the numbers started all over again, but with the next letter as the suffix.

Check out the FAQ--recommend, for example, because this question is explained there! If you're bitten by the Luger bug, the best way to maintain (there is no cure) the fever in the beginning days at Luger University is to read, read, and read some more--On this, as well as Jan Still's forum, the basic books that cover history and development of the pistol (Some books that give a good, general overview are quite affordable.), and anything else you can find--YouTube, Gerard Henrotin's e-books, etc.

We'd like to see some pics of your weapon, too. There's a FAQ about the basics of what pics to take, and the best way to have good results...

If yours turns out to be collectible, you may choose to refrain from actually shooting it. After a brief incubation, Luger Fever usually compels the patient to shoot one. If you're into the systems and mechanics of them, a relatively cheap shooter would allow you the opportunity to become familiar with them, inside and out, as well as conserve this first one if it is not a shooter. If it is shooter grade for some reason, that's good because the fun at the range can begin almost immediately. But let's hold our water, here, until we figure out what you have and what you intend to do with it.

Paul, welcome

I made it so you'll get notified if someone posts.
As usual, pictures help a lot. The suffix is part of the serial number.

Taking a Luger down is easy, once you've done it ten times. I never tear down past the cleaning phase, I.e. Less is better in my book.

Biggest trick is ensuring you don't force the takedown lever, release the tension first by pushing barrel back on a hard surface, your hand, etc.

Welcome to the forum!

Paul

I completely agree with David (Ithacaartist).
Why don't you try to post some close up pictures of that luger, after that maybe we can give you an idea of its originality and value.

thanks everyone I'll try to post some pics later today if I can

tried to post pics when I get to the upload screen I get a HTTP500 error and nothing happens?

Your photos may be too dense. Try resizing them with a lower pixel density and see what happens.

thanks I give it a try, I think I need my 5 yearold grandson to help me!

If reducing the physical size of your files doesn't work, you can try the Go Advanced option to post and then use the manage attachments button instead of using the upload photo option.

Maybe you're trying to load files too big?

thanks John

Welcome to the forum, and I look forward to seeing your Luger...the more, the better.

pics
 

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there is grease or cosmoline around trigger and I think the ejector on the right side not rust you guys were right! the pics were to big thanks

Looks good from 50 feet!
Now do some close ups of the markings.

Welcome to the board.

It took me all day to post those pics, maybe tomorrow looks just as good up close under a glass, all markings are clear and strong, thanks Paul

We've all seen markings, just not the one's on your pistol.
They tell a little more than just the date, or can.

Your choice though.

There identical to #15 on your markings page

Very helpful.

will post somemore pics tomorrow

1917 DWM markings
 

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Welcome Paul,

Gun looks pretty good - nice beech grips. Not easy to find nice 1917 Lugers, most were used & abused a lot during the war. Judging from the limited pictures, your gun looks to me like it probably has a lot more than 90% finish - at least 95% or more if the grip straps and underside are as nice as the rest of it.

Don't know what to do for it? Learn how to take it apart and gently clean and oil it like you would any other gun - with Hoppes, CLR, gun oil, etc. Just don't overdo it! In my experience, the only thing that will really hurt a rust blued finish is strong abrasive or acid - including vinegar, lemon juice, pickle juice, and blood - so don't leave it on the table while you're eating! (LOL) The strawed (golden) finish on small parts is pretty thin - clean & oil it but don't try to polish it up, or you will end up removing it.

Be real careful if you take the left grip panel off. If you chip it, save the piece so it can be glued back on (happens a lot).

Here is a link for you to read and hopefully avoid the mistakes I made cleaning my first Luger:
http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...ow-to-clean-it

another one:
http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...light=cleaning

- Geo

thanks Geo99, the underside and grip straps look as good as the rest of the gun, the pics don't do it justice. I have no intention of shooting it so I'm not going to do anything to it except wipe it down with a gun cloth once in a while. Its a very pretty gun! Thanks again Paul

What's it worth?
 

I'M thinking of selling this, do you think it's worth $1800? I don't know much about Luger's but have been playing with firearms for 60+ yrs the bore is mint I think the gun is unfired as there is still cosmoline on the bolt face. Its just a real nice clean Luger I see the prices all over the place, beat up one sell for $1400+ thanks Paul

Yes it is worth that IF and only IF you can get someone to pay it.
You can always come down if necessary.
That is a bit higher than most, so you will need to do some good camera work and marketing to convince a potential buyer that it is worth more than the others.
Good luck and keep us posted.
dju

Thanks!

I didn't see enough pictures to have an opinion of the value of this luger; but if the magazine does not match- I think you will have a tough time getting $1800 for it.

Are the numbers matching? Maybe I missed that , this has been going on for a while!

Yes it's all matching mag doesn't match thanks

nice gun from your first photos!! I too have a 1917 DWM- serial no 7097 (no suffix). I have only been here for two months - learning about these historic firearms can become a great passion :) Mine turns out to be more of a collectable, so I have elected not to shoot it- and soon found a shooter which I can't wait to try out. (Have to wait another 7 months by Dutch law) in the meantime, browsing the stickies and other threads, and getting hold of books on the subject has been great fun and very educational.