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sandman1915

09-06-2005 09:59 PM

New Luger owner comments and curiosity

Hello from Texas,

I just came into a pistol from a family member. I have been studying a little on the forum, great info, and I'm ready to dive into my first post.

After looking around for info I have determined so far that it is a 1915 DWM, proofmarked for the military. (three crowned icons and an eagle).
It is all matching number, short bbl, lanyard ring, stock lug, wood grips. and wood plug mags that don't match numbers.

The serial number is low 300s with an h suffix placing it in I figure about the 80 thousand range.

It has the hold open device. It locks back on an empty mag but will not unlock on a full mag. Is this normal? It functions properly if I release the toggle before inserting the new mag. I am used to browning style autos that will close on a new mag with a slight pull to the rear.

In the member gallery is a 1916 pistol with the text that 1916 was the first year that the safety would allow operation of the toggle while engaged. This 1915 pistol will allow operation of the toggle while the safety is engaged. All numbers match on the safety and sear, etc. I suppose the 80 thousand range on it could indicate late production in the year and the transition could have already been in progress before the start of 1916.

Whaddayathink ?

That's probably quite enough for a first post.

Sandman

Edward Tinker

09-06-2005 10:10 PM

Sandman, welcome to the forum!

Most earlier guns were modified, so that is why your 1915 displays this.

Can you show us lots of pictures?

Ed

sandman1915

09-06-2005 11:10 PM

Pictures will be sent as time permits. Thanks for the input.

Sandman

John Sabato

09-07-2005 09:39 AM

Your Luger SHOULD unlock the toggle when pulled back and released on a new loaded magazine... if it doesn't try a different mag, and make sure that both the gun and magazine have an appropriate amount of lubrication. It should operate smoothely...

Lugerdoc

09-07-2005 10:57 AM

Sandman, It's possible that your HO spring is weak. If needed, I do have some nice new DDR made ones @$25 each. Tom

sandman1915

09-07-2005 07:36 PM

Thanks for the help. Just knowing for sure that it should operate that way made me take a closer look. Previously I tried a reload with just a couple of rounds in the loaded mag. I functioned the pistol while watching for the moving parts and found the place where it indexes to the magazine. A tiny drop of oil and a Full reload mag later it functions as designed when operated by hand. Everything else operates smoothly and neatly.
Before I got it, the toggle had probably not been pulled for over twenty years. Not bad considering that. ( I am planning to gently detail clean it after I learn and am confident with the disassembly ).

Thanks Again,

Sandman

sandman1915

09-07-2005 10:30 PM

sandman1915

09-07-2005 10:31 PM

Or you could just click them, duh:)

Hugh	09-08-2005 01:24 AM

Sandman

Your pistol was a Police pistol, as evidenced by the sear safety and the clipped magazine safety. Does it have any markings stamped on the front of the grip frame?

sandman1915

09-08-2005 09:23 PM

sandman1915

09-09-2005 10:02 PM

Just out of curiosity would this gun be legal with a buttstock??

I also noticed today that the mag I have, that was renumbered, matches the number on the holster.

Sandman

Ron Wood

09-09-2005 11:00 PM

The gun would not be legal with a buttstock.

When modified for police use, a "magazine safety" was installed. This device blocks the trigger when the magazine is removed thus preventing an accidental discharge of a weapon presumed empty. The device was cumbersome and really quite a nuisance, so it was either removed or the part that blocked the trigger was clipped off. You have a "clipped" magazine safety.

sandman1915

09-09-2005 11:03 PM

Thanks

Hugh	09-10-2005 12:40 AM

Sandman,
The marking on your Luger indicates that it was the property of the Wiesbaden Police, District 2, weapon # 336.

Don M

09-10-2005 10:53 AM

Bill,

Thanks for alerting me to this thread. You have a very nice police rig with a proper (albeit not matching) black Schupo police holster.

I can't add anything to the ID provided by Hugh.

sandman1915

09-10-2005 11:36 PM

Thanks for the help so far. I have learned about 90 percent of what I know about this gun from you guys here at the friendly forum.

So, just as a recap, what would be the time frame of the mfg and mods to this pistol?

I would presume from your comments that:
It was made as a military pistol in 1915 (Imperial)
It was factory modified (DWM factory?) in the 20s or 30s to police config with sear mod and mag safety. (Weimar?)
The mag safety was deactivated in the mid to late 30s
(factory or field mod?)
It was retained in police service until WWII and likely parted with its issued user during the war.

Whew...

How does it look on a 1-10 against the average pistol of its type?

Sandman

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