Question about a 1920's Commercial
 

Hello all,

I have acquired a Luger in 7.65mm that I believe to be one of the 20's commercial varrieties. Serial number is 10xxI, DWM on the toggle. Gun is in very good condition with all matching numbers.

My questions is:

What is the material on the bottom of the magazines? I have two magazines with mine that have aluminum bottoms on them. One of them has a single digit inscribed that matches the last number of the serial number. They appear, to me, to be aftermarket mags but the single matching digit has me questioning that. The bottoms are matte finish with aluminum with no coloring.

Any help would be appreciated. I plan on selling this gun and I am trying to provide the best possible description to any prospective buyers.

Thanks,

chris
ellmerc@mac.com

If it is an original magazine, the bottom will be either wood, aluminum (if it is metal) or bakelite.

You will get the best answers by posting good clear focus photos here on the forum...

BTW, welcome to the Luger forum!

The magazine confuses me big time. May I assume a "correct" (even mismatched) magazine for DWM should always have a wood bottom? I looked over all DWMs listed in Simpson, all of them have wood bottom except a reworked police 1920 (http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=4138). Looks like magazines for early guns were nickle plated, and were zinc plated for later ones. Currently, my rule of thumb is "avoiding non-wood magazine on DWM, and wood magazine on Mauser".... not sure that's correct or not.

Could you help to locate a magazine tutorial? Thanks.

=====

Or compose one, if possible.

Alvin, The correct magazine for your 20 Commerical luger, would be one with an unnumbered wood bottom, so I wouldn't worry about any of the aluminum numbered mags being a match. TH

Thanks for the info. It does have "23" at the wood bottom, Ed said it's odd, but it could be accepted for the time period.

In general, could a non-wood bottom magazine for DWM valid? ....maybe except a few very late Weimar lugers? For example, if I saw a aluminum magazine on DWM 1918 or Erfurt 1914, does it stand any chance being correct?

Pics of my Luger
 

Here are some pics of the Luger that I had questions about at the beginning of this thread. I think it's a 1920s commercial but I am open to feedback if you have other information. One of the mags is marked Erma, made in Germany (aftermarket repro?) The other has no markings except for the number 5 on the bottom. The bottom is aluminum.

Thanks for the help. Like I said, I am getting ready to sell this so you info helps to prospective buyer and helps me establish an asking price. My best estimate is around $1000. Please correct me on this also if I am off.

- Chris

Another Pic
 

Not sure how to post multiple pics.

Another.
 

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Last one
 

Not sure how to post multiple pics.

Chris,
Your luger is more recently known as an DWM Alphabet Commercial (formerly 1920 commercial). The suffix is a lower case "L". The correct mag would have a wood bottom, either blank or stamped GERMANY. The thumb safety looks like it is blued in the photos, it should be strawed.
Mike C.