1920 Commercial
 

How many others have the same affinity for these pieces? <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Hi Lugerlvr,

I confess I find the 1920 Commercial variations to be the most interesting of all Luger variations. They have just so much, well, variation :-)

Warm regards,

Kyrie

i would agree with sir kyrie. the ones that i have and have run across are much more interesting at time because of 1) they amount of stamps and proofs they have due to the amount of time in use and 2) they are a real challenge to figure out historically. also most of the ones i''ve seen are pretty much untouched over the years.

hi kyrie.

I like the M1920's. No one reason. They are affordable. They are often chambered for the 7.65 cartridge which I like. They always keep you guessing as to their antecedants.

unspellable

I too have succumbed to the allure of 1920 DWM Commericals. Started collecting them because of the variety of configurations; long barrels, short barrels , with forearms and without...part of my collection includes; 2 Carbines, a 16" barrel with Artillery sight, a 10" barrel with sling swivel,a Navy,a Com'l Artie,a 1920 Navy Carbine...All DWM's and 9mm. Also have 3or4 .30 cal. regular barrels. Have shot most of them, but not on a regular basis. Recently started collecting Military lugers too....once bitten by the "bug" there seems no cure! ;&gt [img]wink.gif[/img] <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> Anyone have an idea what the proper magazine would be for a 1920 commercial?

I agree with you folks about the many varations available during this period in the Luger's history. It can be confusing, misleading, exhillerating and downright fun to collect these pieces.

The only one I have in my rather limited collection started as a 1916 dated DWM with Infantry markings on the grip. It's current incarnation is an 8" .30 cal. export piece (GERMANY on frame and mag). The "new" barrel has the last 3 digits of the serial number, and the blueing was obviously not as good as the original finish on the frame.

I betcha there a tons of 1920 era Lugers with a variety of configurtions out there waiting to be "collected" one day.

Herb, all my 1920 mags are either plated tin or nickel with a walnut base and stamped "Germany" or 9mm.

Thanks Daniel, I have two of those mags but they only have a serial number on the wood base. Was just wondering, bought a 1920 commercial last night with a replacement mag and was wondering what would be right. It'll be about a week or so before I get it in my hands, if I decide to keep it and if it is in good shape I'll put a picture here.

Herb,
I recently purchased a 97/98% condition 3 7/8" barrel .30 cal commercial Luger in the n suffix block. It had GERMANY stamped on both the frame and wooden magazine base. The pistol was also serial numbered in the commercial style.

I have many 1920 commercials, most of which are not stamped "Germany." All have tin plated wood bottom magazines, none of which are stamped "Germany."

Aaron,
That would be correct if the pistol itself was not stamped GERMANY. The magazine would not have been stamped either. There is very wide latitude in what is called a 1920 commercial.

How about this one? My stepson recently inherited a commercial Luger with no date. It's a DWM (on the toggle), .30 cal., 4" barrel, ser. no. 73xx (on barrel and frame) with no other numbers showing. It has a nickel-plated mag with wood base marked 'Germany'. 'Germany' is also across front of frame beneath barrel. Has the crown over N marks. Gun is completely original and we believe his uncle bought it new and kept it his whole life. From what I have already learned on this site, it is probably a 1923 commercial Luger for export, and sold here in the U.S. Can anyone elaborate on this and perhaps date it by the ser. no.? Were these made new at that time or were they refurbished military pistols? I don't see how it could be military with no numbers on the parts and no evidence of buffing-out. It looks like the trigger and other normally strawed parts were strawed, but appear mostly devoid of any finish now. The pistol has about 80% apparently original blue on it and seems to be very tight and solid. Finally, are these pretty common, or is this an unusual example? Thanks for any info.

On the front of the frame does is have a lower case letter suffix under the serial number? The pisols commonly called 1920 Commercials started in the i suffix block and went to the r suffix block. A few were made in the s,t, and u block, but are not often encountered.

There was a mark there, but I couldn't tell what it was (didn't have my specs with me), and I wasn't looking for a lower case letter. I'll have my eagle-eyed son check it out for me, and post it.

Saxman, please verify the letter using the following suffix chart. The German script can be tough some times, took me a long time to figure out the "z" mark. http://www.lugerforum.com/lugermarki...xes/suffix.jpg <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Thanks a bunch, Thor. Sure looks like an 'X' to me.

Couldn't stand it, so I had to get me one - 40xx h in 9mm (1920, of course). There's something special about guns of the 20's. I have a Colt .22 pistol from 1925 (pre-Woodsman) and it has the same workmanship and quality of finish as the Luger.