Steve Anderson's Luger...
 

Luger Forum member, Steve Anderson, would like some information and thoughts about his DWM Alphabet luger.

Here is some basic info :

1. DWM Alphabet luger.
2. Serial number 2765i.
3. 7,65 mm caliber with 4-3/4" barrel.
4. Has "Germany" stamped on front of frame.
5. Has old BUG proofs on underside of barrel. Bullet bore stamping and serial number not visible on barrel.
6. Has a Swiss cross/sunburst on chamber.
7. Has what appears to be a faint Crown/N proof on the left side of the receiver.
8. Does not have any little Swiss cross proofs or Bernerprobe proof marks, anywhere.
9. Falls in the middle of the Abercrombie & Fitch contract serials.
10. Barrel lug is not stamped "65".
11. Other small parts numbered "65" in commercial style.

Others on Jan's Board have commented on the long frame/receiver and the fact that the grip safety is not "65" stamped along the left side.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_2.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_3.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_4.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_5.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_6.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_7.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_8.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_9.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_10.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_11_copy2.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/steve_12_copy2.jpg

This Luger looks to me to be a mish-mash of parts. It has what looks like an early 1906 American Eagle frame (Germany stamped on front, flaming bomb proof in well), a commercial Swiss receiver and commercial barrel, and an un-numbered grip safety. It has a suffix on the front of the frame that looks like an "i", but I cant make out the dot on top. We all know about the post WW1 "i" series. It included DWM/Krieghoffs, all types of various Swiss commercials, and apparently just piece guns. I doubt that this Luger went to Switzerland as the grips and finish are too worn to be typical of those proud gun owners.

Does anyone remember the timeframe/year that the vertical C/N proof began in use...?

Pete, I believe, for the luger, it was some time in 1912. My 1908 commercial, serial #59055, has C/N proofs, and was made, I am told, in 1912.

The "lazy" C/N proof began in 1906. The vertical C/N began in 1920.

I thought the change in the German proof law from c/BUG to c/N was 1910? I understood that sometimes a skinny c/N was added to the c/BUG marks as a Nitro proof under the early law, on the side of the front toggle?

It will be interestng to know if the GERMANY mark overstamps the i suffix, also if the extractor says GELADEN or LOADED.

--Dwight

Ron, I don't know where one can look up authoritarian data on this subject, but I think you are kind of early. And I also recall that Dwight's comment is correct. I don't know if the conversion from BUG to N came gradually in a transition or all at once, but it probably happened between 1910-1912. I would bet the extractor says Geladen.

You guys are right. I tend to think in terms of model year and 1906 model Lugers are in the transition period, so some are BUG proofed and some are N proofed. Since the 1908 Commercial can also be found with either BUG or N proofs, obviously the change came after that date.