Engraving on German Luger
 

Have a DMW 9mm Luger with serial #2471 d (might be an a) with engraving on the front and rear of the butt frame. Would like to know what engraving means. Front shows III./J.R.5.6 Rear shows 3 K (K is much larger than the numbers), then an unusual symbol that looks like an old nail or spike, and then what appears to be an upside down 3.
Anyone know what these mean? Thanks!

Sounds like a unit mark. Can you post photos?

Pictures Bob, Pictures please.

Post them directly on the forum. Best taken outside on an overcast day, with no artificial flash or directed light. Make sure they are in sharp focus (use a tripod if possible to eliminate hand movement from making the subject out of focus), and do close-ups of all markings. You will be surprised just how much we can tell you about your Luger.

Welcome to the Lugerforum.

They are Reichswehr unit markings. III/J.R.5.6. - third Battalion, Infantry Regiment 5, weapon 6. Photos would help in interpreting the second marking.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.php?albumid=643

not sure how to send pictures on your website yet - can you open above?

Yes. You can add these pics to the post itself by clicking on "go advanced" and then scroll down to "manage attachments" You'll then be able to select image files to upload from your hard drive or enter the URL for each from the gallery.

Thanks for info! Sent pictures using this: http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.php?albumid=643
Hopefully you'll decipher the other markings. Bob

The marking on the back strap is probably what is called a pre 1922 Reichswehr provisional unit marking indicating 3rd Company and weapon number.

Thanks for reply. But you said earlier that markings on front strap indicated weapon # 6. So this engraving on back strap showing small 3, Large K, then some unknown mark, then upside down 3 would not correspond as a weapon number?? I think it must indicate something else?

Could be a mistake or that the pistol was assigned another number later.

The back strap marking was provisional and was earlier.

One more question. Serial Number on frame is 2471a. What year would that have been manufactured? Thank you!

Is it matching?
What is the date on the top of the chamber?

Everything matches except the receiver. It obviously was replaced at some point by Mauser as it is stamped 1939 with a 42 on the left side. It is the reddish, plum color also. Assume gun was refurbished with new receiver in 1939? But, I'm curious when the frame and other parts were made. The toggle has DMW on it.

The frame, if original to the receiver would have been made in 1939.
Since the frame with a Weimar marking obviously does not match the receiver, it is not possible to know when the frame was made.

You must post pictures to go any farther with understanding what you have, right now we are just speculating.

Luger Pictures from rstilley
 

Hi Don, here are 10 pics. 10 more to follow. Bob

Luger pictures from rstilley
 

Don, Having trouble attaching pics due to size of file. Have to send a few at a time. More to follow.

Don, More pics - more to follow.

Luger pictures from ratilley
 

More pics.

Luger pictures from rstilley
 

More pics

Don, Here is holster. The strap was torn off and I had a shoemaker add new strap - only portion with the holes, not buckle. Let me know if you got all pictures. Thanks for your help!

Yes,
the pictures are all there.
So far you have a DWM frame and a 1939 Mauser receiver with DWM center link.
A picture of markings on the bottom of the barrel will help(and of any other markings on the barrel, also close ups of the left and right side of the chamber area. Then take it apart and take a picture of the inside of the frame from the top, and a close up of the "well" that the take down lever goes through- there should be some markings there.

The markings on the rear grip are strange for sure, no ideas there.

Someone else can comment on the holster, but it looks ok to me.
Next time you need a holster "fixed" don't let a shoe maker touch it, get it done right by lugerholsterrepair on this forum.
The closure strap should be hand stitched in a specific pattern.

Luger pictures from rstilley - Inside Markings
 

Hi Don, Here are additional pics.

Luger pictures from rstilley - Inside Markings
 

Here are rest of pics.

Don, There are no markings on the barrel. I know it should have serial # but it doesn't. Also, I don't see any markings on the slide plate. Looks to me (as a novice) that the old frame from DMW was used and then someone (maybe Mauser?) refurbished it with Mauser receiver and a replacement barrel and side plate. I assume since it is not all original from DMW that it has little value? Will look forward to your comments. Thank you. Bob

Re-worked/repaired/re-built/re-furbished- yes; by Mauser - No.

Mauser barrels would have some marking on them.

Both barrel and side plate may be of later, commercial, origin. There is no way to figure out when, where, or by whom it was put together as it is today.

Your first comments were right on, you have a mismatched shooter, enjoy it.

Its value is as a shooter, everyone has a different opinion as to "value".

Is it unusual to see a front sight all the way to one side like this?

Yes, but it could be adjusted for POI that much.

Bob,
the well markings confirm a DWM Frame.
The 42 on the left side of the chamber, indicates a Mauser receiver made as a spare- which explains the lack of numbers and lack of proofing on the right.

Had the receiver been assembled or used as a replacement by the Germans, it would likely have received the 4 digits of the serial number on the left, and acceptance and proof marking on the right.

Hi Don, I really appreciate your evaluation of my Luger. Thanks for your help and candor. Will enjoy it for still being a neat firearm, even though it isn't very valuable.

Your Luger's value will be in the pleasure, and enjoyment that it gives you at the range. Many of us here have shooter grade Lugers that get exercised regularly at a pistol range, and really enjoy the experience. To me, every Luger person should have at least one shooter Luger....enjoy!!

Make sure it is CLEAN, reasonably lubricated, uses a good magazine (Mec-Gar aftermarket or FXO type recommended) that seats well into the grip, and when you shoot it, don't have a limp wrist... it needs to be held firmly.

Recommend the use of Winchester White Box 115gr ammo... Do all that and let us know if it is still unreliable.

The barrel is probably 'out of time' (for want of a better description). The so-called 'witness marks' are not a reliable means of centering the front sight base in relation to the receiver. If the barrel is off a little bit one way or the other then the front sight alignment will be off as well.

You can have this checked and re-adjusted by several members of this forum. ;)