New member with first post and first Luger
 

Greetings everyone. Having never owned a Luger until recently, I waited to join until after I had something to share. I am a C&R and military collector (mostly long guns). An opportunity came up and I just purchased a 1921 DWM Luger. It has the police sear safety. Decent blue and straw parts, may have been reconditioned at some point like when the safety was added. I'll attach some large resolution photos. It appears to be matching except for an unmarked magazine and grips. The grips appear to have what may be initials stamped in them. I'll welcome comments on condition and information please! Thank you. Artemus

https://i.imgur.com/iS57rwe.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7X3j1sU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/q3tXTBq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WDn3NJs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4lNjxQx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BRDUAXF.jpg

I think you figured it out right.
Nice pictures, too.

It's clearly been professionally refinished, but very nicely done.
The straw parts are incredibly shiny and gold.

It is a fairly recent reblue with restrawed parts, it unfortunately destroyed the collecting value.

Welcome to the forum.

The polished high flats and lack of "halos" on the barrel serial number are evidence of the pistol being refinished.

The letters in the grip were pantographed, likely by a post war owner.

I wonder if the small parts may be plated instead of strawed. I've never seen straw this bright and consistent.

mrerick,

Thank you for the input. Yes. I believe this one is certainly refinished. How long ago is probably unimportant as a result. Done is done. I did not choose this one for it's looks although it's attractive, it's the first opportunity I've had. And the matching numbers aspect was my deciding factor. The fellow I got it from said he'd bought it from a serviceman collector in Ohio in the 1990's (not a WW2 vet). As a novice, the strawed parts look like others I've seen posted but maybe cleaner. Maybe it's the lighting brightness. I took the side shots in bright natural daylight. I'll try for another left side photo with less brightness tomorrow. Under a lamp you can see a yellow cast. Artemus
https://i.imgur.com/7oYRola.jpg

Welcome to the forums.

For shooting, it would be wise to use a different, more substantial magazine.

The best I have for shooting are the welded and milled steel magazines, either the E/37 - FXO wartime ones or post war 2/1001 marked magazines.

See our FAQ documents for more details.

Outdoor daylight is best for balanced lighting, but not direct sunlight (harsh shadows/glare).

A darker background usually helps your camera lighten up the image (dark gray or dark red).

It takes a lot of trial and error, too!

Welcome aboard.

P.S. If you can't find a sturdy magazine, then try a Mac-gar - they are available in nickel or blued for about $45.

MEC-GAR magazines have great reviews and are for sale on ebay for about $30.00 with free shipping. I just had to get one in case the WWII mags don't work.