1917 DWM newbie
 

Thanks for taking the time to look at this. My son inherited this gun and he volunteered me to find out what I can about it. Any help is appreciated. More pics are available. Just ask.

A Few More Pic's
 

I believe the numbers on the butt of the magazine are 9263.

Looks like a very nice military Artillery Luger, not perfect but much nicer than most. Finish looks original, but you need to check all the internals for correct numbering. Mag. is obviously a mismatch. What specific questions do you have for us?
dju

Thanks for the quick response. Not sure I'm' the person to disassemble but will look into what it takes. From what I can tell, all of the external numbers match. We removed the grips, wondering if they were numbered. Appears to be 67 stamped in the wood. Any thoughts on that?

Just search YouTube for disassembly demonstrations. Not hard, done without tools. Be careful if removing the left grip.

Thanks for the suggestion. Was every original internal part numbered?

That question was just answered on another thread, http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=36732 Since yours is military style numbered, I think only the firing pin's number remains not visible from the outside.

You can't see the breechblock number with the assembled pistol either.

What should I watch for if I remove left grip?

Remove the screw and with finger inside the mag well lift the grip only slightly then rotate it down in the front and remove the grip down toward the butt. The idea is to put NO pressure on that tiny bit of wood behind the safety (top rear corner, left grip panel) as it is pinched in there and easily chipped off. So do not simply lift the panel up to remove it.
dju

Thanks. I was afraid a spring was going to fly, etc.

What shall I do once inside? Take picks of numbered parts? Clean it?

Somewhere in the forum's I recall seeing a breakdown diagram of a Luger. Can't seem to relocate it.

Both.

There are plenty how disassemble videos online. Just google it up.

The grips would have had "49" inside when made, so the grips are replaced somewhere/sometime. Well I am guessing the serial number ends in 49, but I can't see the entire serial, it is on the front of the frame, bottom of barrel and left side. Those pictures would be good to post.

Welcome to the board.

Do read the stickys for info and what questions to answer and which pictures are important, they are in the new collector forum.

Eotlou
The FAQ tab at the top of the page has an excellent document attached which addresses many many many questions us newbies frequently post.
Sure wish I would have read this before I posted a few of my rookie posts...
Beautiful pistol though; enjoy your research!
Zk

Disassembled today and believe I got the matching internal numbers suggested?

You are still missing a photo of the left side of the breechblock that's where the number is.

Thanks. Guess I get to take it apart again.

It gets easier...
dju

and never stops being fun

Pardon my ignorance......
 

I'm not knowledgeable of pistol components, can you give me an idea where to look for this number? Do I need to disassemble to locate?

Think I Found it
 

Is this it?

Yep! That is it. And You do have an all matching gun. Congratulations.:thumbup:

Thanks! Good to know.
 

Anyone want to give me a best guestimate on what it's $ value may be?

My limited research on the web finds values all over the place.

Is it a shooter or collectible?

Also the hold open has a matching number.

Anyone want to give me a best guestimate on what it's $ value may be? Sorry, but no, no one agrees or likes the "guestimates"!

My limited research on the web finds values all over the place. Because they are! Selling price depends on who, where, when, how, and the phase of the moon; and whether the seller is motivated or the buyer is "lucky" or not.

Is it a shooter or collectible? I'd call it collectible for sure.

Maybe this helps a little.

My spin, for whatever it's worth, is that this one, unless I missed a mismatched part, is definitely collectable and probably should enjoy the rest of time being looked at, not fired.
As per its value, you can search 1917 Artillery Lugers on Simpsons, Ltd. website to get some idea of high end retail.
I'd think it should bring in the neighborhood of $3k or a bit more, but it is a bit specialized so let's see what other brave souls have to say on the subject.
Of course all estimates are academic while cash in hand speaks volumes.
dju

Just to prove the point about pricing,
I don't think the OP pistol will bring anywhere near $3k.
It is a 1917, no matching mag, and the holster is not so hot.
One can't pay too much attention the the asking/retail prices at Simpson's, IMO; go to the online auctions and watch what they sell for, or a show with multiple offerings and motivated sellers.

David-
See, no good deed goes unpunished. ;)

David-
See, no good deed goes unpunished.

As usual!
dju

Thanks to All. Question on Online Auctions
 

Thanks to all that have responded. I feel a lot more confident on what we have than when we started asking questions.

Any suggestions on which online auctions we should monitor?

Not sure it will be for sale but you never know.

For Insurance purposes, it would be nice to know a general value at present.

I like gunbroker.com, search for artillery Luger in the firearms or curio and relics categories. Check active and completed listings too.
Good luck.
dju

Another of Eric's Dumb Questions~ Are all lugers basically the same, 41 or 42 pieces except for the sights and barrel lengths? Are all parts interchangeable? I.E. DWM or Erfurt, albeit different proofs? Please forgive me for asking?

There are 2 types of firearms. Those that are "fitted" and those that are "assembled". Fitted guns were made "before a man's time was worth anything". A Glock is assembled. The Luger is definitely fitted so one piece may, or may not properly "fit" on another Luger. I've had parts, major and minor, go one way or the other. I've had entire upper ends slide right onto a mismatched lower and work correctly, and I've had lesser trigger parts that simply would not interchange.
And then, of course, there were small changes made along the way that may complicate interchangeability, although they were mostly model specific.
Hope this helps.
dju

Thank You Dave! Were individual parts stamped before assembly or after completion? What a headache!

Parts were not stamped with the part number until AFTER fitting.

E:
I'm not sure but it seems likely that they were fitted to the gun and numbered afterwards. Perhaps others can clarify.
It's a small wonder that the military jumped at every opportunity to simplify the process. Imagine the logistics of equipping an army with equipment that was so labor-intensive!
dju

You are absolutely correct! Forty Seperate Parts, Great Stuff, A Tribute to German Engineering over a century ago and still even more relevant and sought after today!