DWM 1920 "n" suffix research (Polizei)
 

Dear Forum members.

I want to research the DWM 1920 (Police) Lugers whit the serial suffix letter “n”
DWM did probably not manufacture Luger’s whit this “n” suffix in that year of 1920?
Presumably only serial numbers whit “no suffix” and “a” “b” suffix.
Where did this “n” range came from?
My own 1920 “n” has a strange extra mark beside the serial number under the barrel, and also in front of the frame. It also looks like that someone has grinding on the camber, where the dated is stamped, and afterwards give it a new dated stamp (1920) and also a property stamp (double date)
If you haves one of this “unsolved” Lugers, I will be very happy if you will rapport
following points to my little research:

1) Serial number
2) Property date (1920/1920) (yes/no)
3) Sear safety (yes/no) or if it has been removed
4) Mag, safety (yes/no) or if it has been removed
5) Right Receiver Marks
6) Police unit marks
7) Other unusual marks

Photos will be fantastic also!

Everyone; please feel free to recite your opinion in this case about the “n” suffix range!!

I hope on your kindly cooperation

Reg. Jes

Here a photo of the chamber of my DWM 1920 1699 n
Reg. Jes
7 jan. 2011. cleared up (below)

Hi Jes,

I am thrilled that someone is researching the 1920-dated DWMs with "n" suffixes. This series has puzzled me for a long time. I will add to your survey from my database as soon as I have a chance. In the interim, I will offer these observations:

* I believe the "n" series was produced by DWM in 1920 in addition to the "no suffix," "a" and "b" series. Although your Luger apparently has both "b" and "n" suffixes in odd locations, the others I have observed have only "n" in the proper locations and no evidence of alterations.

* I doubt that the chamber of your Luger has been ground. If your observation that it is "thinner" on top is based on the distance between the flange of the barrel and the edge of the chamber, it is normal for this distance to be less on top than toward the sides.

* Not all of this series is double-dated. Many have only the 1920 manufacture date and no 1920 property stamp.

* Because of my research interests, my data is limited to only those pistols with police propery markings; however, I have observed a number of pistols that apparently were not police owned. If I remember correctly, at least one had Reichswehr markings.

Don, we see forward to hear more about the ”n” suffix Lugers, that you have in your database!
It will be very interesting if we can clear up that this Lugere`s actually was manufacture in 1920.
About the camber grounding, looks likes this part has cleared up. Thanks!
And as you says; we have interesting in all DWM 1920Lugers whit “n” suffix, whit or whit out Police or Reichswehr unit markings.
Reg. Jes
:)

Data
 

Jes - Here are the data from my database. These all have DWM toggles and 1920 chamber dates. The information is listed in the order of your request. All of the mag safeties listed were removed or deactivated. In the cases of multiple police markings, I have listed only the ones I believe are the earliest.

167n; no 1920 ps (property stamp); ss (sear safety); ms (mag safety); E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.82.R.
991n; no 1920 ps; ? ss & ms; ? acceptances; S.Br.I.1194.
1216n; no 1920 ps; ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.B.13x15.
1527n; no 1920 ps; no ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.VIII.3.117.
20xxn; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Kg.I.94.
3067n; 1920 ps; ss removed; ms removed; E/WaA4 acceptances; S.E.I.560.
3108n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Wpr.II.105.
3175n; 1920 ps; no ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Op.I.432.
3176n; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Me.I ? 772.
32xxn; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptance; S.Mg.904.
4134n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; ? acceptances; S.Sch I.953.
4137n; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Br.I.229
4197n; no 1920 ps; ss; no ms; ? acceptances; S.Br.I.159.
4208n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.282.R.
4388n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; ? acceptances; S.Mg.934.
4605n; 1920 ps; no ss; no ms; ? acceptances; S.S.2.II.6.23.
4647n; no 1920 ps; ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.P.Bn.241
4669n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Mg.901.
5204n; no 1920 ps; ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.S.2.II.7.18.
5321n; no 1920 ps; ss; ? ms; “Weimar” acceptance stamps; S.Op.V 319.
5335n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Mg.596.
5681n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.B.8550.
6190n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.131.R.
6360n; 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Op.I.446.
6655n; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; L.P.Th.Nr.1503
6711n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Br.I.1018.
6938n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; ? acceptances; L.P.Th.Nr.1447
7138n; no 1920 ps; ss; ? ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.312.R.

There are three more (2977n, 3816n, 9483n) listed in my old posting on this (http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=5525). 2977n was cited by Jan Still as being a Reichswehr pistol. I am not sure now where I got the other two from. If 9483n is a valid number, it would appear that a full series of 10,000 was produced. If not, the series may have terminated around 7500n.

Note that very few of the above have the 1920 government property stamp. I suspect that it was not required since the 1920 chamber date clearly identified these pistols as belonging to the government. DWM manufactured these specifically for military and police use.

Most of the police markings are from Prussian Schutzpolizei units but a few are from Thüringen and Bremen.

Hi Don
Thanks a lot!
It looks like that the “n” range was manufactured complete, as you says.
Hope we got lot of information and opinions in this investigation
reg. Jes

My 1920 DWM police Luger
 

Here is my information:
1. 1237n
2. No double date
3. Yes on SS
4. Yes on MS, but disabled
5. RRM, E/ArA4 ( three times )
6. S.D.I.99.R. R is X'd out
7. Other marks: E/ArA4 on top of barrel also 17 marked on butt of grip near mag opening.

Thanks Jim_R
Reg. Jes

Information 1920 Police
 

Greetings From Alaska! I jut purchased a police model luger my first! I have noticed my markings are close to being identified but each time I get close something doesn't add up. Here is what I have hopefully someone will know what i have.
Serial# Crown over N8452, also a mark that looks like a "T" on in computer words a "Tilda", the same mark is faint on the barrel. All numbers match. Sear safety is also installed. Any ideas?? Thanks for anyone's time.
Mo
Forgot one important thing....DWM on toggle

Hello Mo and welcome to the forum. I doubt very much if your Luger is one of those Jes is looking for but we will need a good bit more information and some good photos to tell you much about it. If you can start a new thread in the New Collectors forum with photos, I'm sure you will learn much more about your Luger. Meanwhile, stay warm!

P.S. What you describe as a "tilda" sounds like the letter suffix "r." If you look under the "Techinical Information" link in the http://www.lugerforum.com/ home page, you will find examples of suffixes to compare yours with.

Don, its here on Jan's http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=25435

N series Luger
 

Posting these pictures for Reg. Jes ,If you need more I can try and get clearer pictures

Thanks skimoe55
I will add your DWM Luger to the serial number schdule.
Regards Jes

Proofs
 

Proof shots

my n suffix 1920/1920 DWM POLICE
 

Hi
Here is my Police N suffix n Dwm Luger
SERIAL # 4605
1920/1920
NO SEAR SAFTETY
NO MAGAZINE SAFETY
3 E/AR A4
THREE POLICE UNITS
XXXOUT S.E.I. 2. 43
XXXOUT S.S. 2. II 6. 23
S.E.I. 23
THERE ARE PICTURES OF MY LUGER IN L.D. MAUS BOOK
HISTORY WRIT IN STEEL

Regards fellow N Suffix
Robert Hickey

Thanks Robert
I will add your luger ( +E/AR A4), :rockon:
Sorry for my late response to your post, work work ect
I think that your gun is already in the database data from Don M
Mvh Jes

1)Serial number 1508 n
2) Property date (1920/1920) 1920 Only
3) Sear safety (yes/no) Yes
4) Mag, safety (yes/no) It was removed. Frame was welded
5) Right Receiver Marks 3 Eagle over ArA4
6) Police unit marks S.Br.II.261.
7) Other unusual marks Proof mark on top of barrel Very Faint
Pictures In Unit Mark post of 12/07/2011

Thanks Coverk
I will add your P.08 to the list, soon

Reg. Jes

Jes, some photo details on 1920 DWM 167n, Police, S.D.I.82.R. Sear safety present, mag safety removed and frame slot filled, three E/ArA4 right receiver stamps, barrel marked E/ArA4, breech block marked E/WaA4. The chamber appears to have been carefully ground, to remove the date 1918. A faint remnant of the 8 remains under the 1920.

Helle Abzug
Many thanks for sharing your photos with us.
Very nice gun, with fine details.
:cheers:

reg. Jes