First Luger
 

I received my 1st luger today, one I'd seen at a show and then ordered a few weeks later.
It's a 1915DWM. I of course have many questions. All external numbers match, the bore is crisp and bright, about 90% bluing remains (my estimate ) the seller claimed 97% but I don't think so. The grips are really excellent perhaps too excellent for the piece and they are not numbered. Serial no. is 5496h The front grip strap is marked 4. E. M. G. K. From forum research this would seem to mean 4th ersatz machiene gun companie. Most of the other unit markings I've seen are longer with individual gun numbers??? The mag has an unmarked wood base but the toggles on it do not center well in the grip cutout area and are being dug into, the mag itself looks old and well used.
I bought this thinking it might have some collector value but perhaps its a shooter. Any insights you can provide will be a great help. Hopfully this is the first of many.
I hope the photos work
Thanks
Joe

More pics
 

More pics

last pic
 

Last pic

Hi Joe,
Welcome to the forum. A very nice 1915.

The marking would be, 4th Erzatz Regiment Machinegun Company. In the beginning of the war each Reg. only had one machingun company. So they didn't really deem it a requirement to mark the weapon number on them.

And definitely a collector grade Luger. Far from being just a shooter. From your photos, I would give it a scant 95%. Better than 90% from what I can see. The grip strap wear, or lack of wear is a big plus as far as condition grading goes.

Congratualtions~

Ron

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Thanks very much for the information about my purchase. I'ts great to have acess to such a source of knowledge.
I will be in france ( paris and limoge ) week after next. Are there any recomendations you can make regarding lugers during my visit?
Thanks again to you both
Joe

Hi, I am also new to the luger. I just purchased a DWM 1916/1920 with the same unit markings , 4E.M.G.K. 18A.K. , on Gun Broker.

Jeff

Jeff,

Welcome to the Lugerforum... please post photos of your "new" Luger

I own the 1916 Erfurt that Pat posted above. Isn't it unusual to find two Lugers with the same unit markings? Is this marking just assigning the gun to a certain unit without giving the gun itself a number? I've never seen this before.
regards,
Bill

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Nice Luger.

joeseph, collecting Lugers is a very addictive hobby.

Proceed with caution. ;)

LU1900, you might attempt to contact Jeff Noll and ask if he would like to share your knowledge, he may be working on a new book and would like to have that info.