1900 and 1908 sideplate discussion
 

would like to find trigger and or side plate for a 1900 DWM

Thanks,
Jim

ADMIN - JIM I MODIFIED THIS SLIGHTLY, BUT DID NOT WANT TO CHANGE YOUR WORDS COMPLETELY
THIS IS FROM 2010 OR EARLIER POSTING

Jamese,

FYI, a standard P-08 sideplate will fit an M1900 without any modification. However, the trigger lever is different. Hope this helps. KFS

1900 trigger bar
 

Karl,

How is the 1900 trigger bar different from the one in a P08?

Aldo35

Here is a photo from the Bobba book that shows different sideplates including the Model 1900, but I can't see any perceptible differences in this photo except the square front corner on the sideplate.

http://luger.gunboards.com/uploaded/...sideplates.jpg

Would anyone please post any other pictures that can show what the differences in the trigger lever are? It would be greatly appreciated.

WTB 1900 Trigger Plate
 

John,

I have been told that the trigger bars differ in two aspects, first the 1900 trigger bar is shorter than a P08, 0.224 vs 0.332 and second that 1900 trigger bar travel less than the P08. I don't have a 1900 trigger plate so I cna't confirm either. I can say a modified P08 trigger and a P08 side plate on my 1900 did not fire.

Aldo35

Alignment of the trigger lever with the spring loaded disconnector on the trigger bar is critical in all Luger pistols. I wish I could examine the modified P.08 parts and your pistol to see exactly why the gun doesn't fire, but that is not likely to happen except in photos...

You will have to determine the extent, if any, of contact between the two parts, and how much movement is required to trip the sear to solve the problem. Any knowledgeable Luger gunsmith (not just a parts replacer, but someone like Tom Heller, Hugh Clark, Ted Green, Neil Keller, Art Buchanan, Howard Collins, Rich (Sheepherder) Brennan... just to name a few...) should be able to create a functional sideplate with appropriate modifications.

You don't mention if your measurement numbers (0.224 vs 0.332 ) are in inches or millimeters...

The lower "arm" of the L-shaped lever on a 1900 is shorter than the later models. I have had a 1900 with a correct side plate but with a replacement later lever. It functioned OK but you had to kind of "wiggle" in the lever to install the side plate. Don't recall if the lever was stock or modified but I believe it was stock.

Another difference is that the 1900 side plate sits flush with the frame on the left side...later models are thicker.

Rich,
Hope this un-confuses things a little. The corner of the 1900 side plate is a bit worn but you can see that it is "more squarer" :) than the later Erfurt. Both side plates are square at the back side of the corner but the later side plate has a chamfer or rounding over of the outside of the corner.

aldo, Disregarding the external appearance, which is not critical to it's operation, the M1900 side plate is milled inside a bit differently than the standard M1906 and later side plates, but with some fitting a PO8 side plate should also work with a shortened trigger lever and original M1900 trigger (have some @$150 each) or a M29 Swiss or Swiss model Parabellum trigger @$50. Tom

Forgive my ignorance but would a 29Swiss sideplate be an alternative to a 1900 sideplate on a 1900 luger?

Unfortunately no. It would look totally out of place. The side plate "island" or "hump" on a '29 Swiss is the full width of the side plate and, like all of the Lugers later than the Model 1900, the side plate would not fit flush with the frame on the right side.

If the lower arm of the transfer lever was shortened, a '29 Swiss side plate might function on a 1900 but wouldn't look right.

Found this great posting - took out some irrelevant posts out and made it a sticky. Tell me if we already have something like this.

Also closed it, can re-open if folks have something they'd like to share.

Although not well done, here is a sideplate compare chart I made.
Ed