Early Luger Magazine?
 

I'm don't really qualify as a luger collector. I have only one but a nice one 1920 9mm with markings on front of grip frame; in 1940 holster with 2 mags numbered to the gun. Condition vg/exc. I know it's history from a WW2 vet, since about 1950 and think is is right.

Question here is a magazine I got out of a scrapped holster, usual military type, brown leather, that had been cut for trigger access and long used for another gun. No markings on its back. The mag had apparently stayed in its place for years un-noticed because it was heavily coated with green vertigris.

The mag is excellent with 100% nickel, reddish hardwood base plug with 23 stamped in its middle, above and below that number are tiny stampings, like proof marks, crown above a figure, unable to ID, possibly a gothic letter. It shows some in & out use and a line on the cartridge pusher. That piece seems to be milled & has a high polish, almost mirror. It is apparently a pre-Nazi piece and wonder what its age might be.

Any info/comments appreciated.

Thanks

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Your magazine is an Imperial (WWI) Erfurt. Erfurt was the Gov't arsenal , and ceased production in 1918. While not absolutley correct for a 1920 production Luger. Post WWI Lugers are commonly found with WWI magazines.

What are the markings on the grip strap of the Luger? Can you post some photos?

Ron

Thanks for the 1918 Erfurt info. This magazine is an unrelated piece.

My Luger with DWM logo, has its two mags with same s/n as it. I heard somewhere it was probably re-dated 1920 post WW1 for whatever reason. Seems likely as date is not as heavily impressed as I have usually seen. I will post pix soon and give unit marks, which I recall have to do with Bavaria. rhmc24

Is 1920 the only date on the chamber, or is it a double date? If the only date is 1920, the serial number suffix (letter under SN) should be in the no suffix, a or b range. The proofs on the right side of the receiver will be "Dove" or an "Eagle" (looks more like a Buzzard) over ArA4 or WaA4. These are the proofs found on new 1920 production Lugers.

Ron

Marking on the front grip frame: Pw.B. Marking on back of holster: DLU 1941 P.08 below is small Nazi eagle with tiny letters WaA641. The date 1920 is the only date. There are no letters below the s/n on the left side but there is a script 'a' below the barrel serial. On the right side are three impressions of spreadeagles (all the same) with what looks like A??4, the two between indistinct. Clear impressions but look carelessly done, die not verticle leaving faint on two and too deep on the other. Last two digits of s/n is on all visible parts and full serial is on both mags, aluminum base plugs. Straw is about 80%. Very little wear and no damage to grips. I was unsuccessful in uploading pictures. Tried via Internet Explorer and Firefox. Emailing pix usually works without problem.

From Ron's posting, looks like this is a new 1920 mfgr. Thanks

The number 1920 over the chamber is a Weimar property mark indicating the item is government property. It is not a production date. You apparently have an early police marked Luger. It may have a sear safety on the left top of the slide. "Pw.B" is Bavarian police.

Nice rig with 2 matching mags.

Joe

Joe,

Sorry to disagree, but the 1920 is the production date. It's a 1920(production date) DWM in the 'a' suffix block. The proofs are WaA4 which indicates 1920 production , and it's a police issue.

The Pw.B grip marking stands for Polizeiwehr Bayern [Bavarian Police Defense Force].

The holster is probably a 1940 military issue, but could have been paired with the Luger during WWII. Many police lugers found their way into the Army before all was said and done.

Does the holster have a down strap with buckle [military], or up strap with a stud [police]?

Ron

Holster is the buckle type. Altho I intend to keep it, what is it worth today to sell?

Not unless we can see pictures.

Uploading pictures is a snap here, go to Reply to Thread, then choose Manage Attachments and then upload them 3 at a time.


Ed

I can't seem to find "Reply to Thread" or "Manage Attachments" so I tried the "Insert Image" box likewise to no avail. As previously stated, the "Upload Photos" on home page brought up error message saying it couldn't find. Strange nothing worked here but I usually have no problem uploading or emailing pix. Any possible productive leads will be appreciated. Thanks.

You might be more successful if you didn't look for "Reply to Thread" (which doesn't exist) and used "ADD REPLY" (which does exist). :)

Reply to Thread was the old forum, sorry.

DON'T use the QUICK REPLY feature, it is designed for 'quick" replies and advanced members.

USE the ADD REPLY. You can then Manage attachments, 3 at a time, then add another 3 etc if you desire.


Ed

I never found anything related to 3 pictures. I just entered the 3separate URLs (DOS wise) as the best I could figure. Obviously this ain't gonna work. Thanx for trying.

OK, after you clicked on "ADD REPLY" and got the new window did you scroll down and find "Manage Attachments" and click on that? If you did you would get a pop up window with three attachment blanks. Beside each blank position there is a "Browse" button that will allow you to go to the file on your computer that contains the image you want to post. After you have highlighed the file name of the image you want to post, click "Open" and that will place the image file name in the attachment blank. Then click "Upload" and the image will be included in your post. It takes a lot longer to explain it than to do it.

Pix re Early Luger Mag x2
 

I did it and maybe success this time. If these pix aren't good enuf I will do them again. New camera & not much experience with it.

Looks like it worked! Sorry being such a nuisance & thanks for all your patience. All the more, since I'm not really a Luger collector. google me R.H. McCrory for info. Thanks!

R.H> looks like a nice 1920, worth around $900-$1200 (if all matching and no surprises; reblue, sewer pipe barrel, etc).


Ed

PS: Never a nuisance, thats why we are here to help, sorry I have not been very helpful in my replies, other things on my mind this week :rolleyes:

1920 9mm with markings on front of grip frame; in 1940 holster with 2 mags numbered to the gun. Bore is clean strong sharp rifling, not as bright as I would like. Last two digits of s/n is on all visible parts and full serial is on both mags, aluminum base plugs. Straw is about 80%. I know it's history from a WW2 vet, since about 1950 and think is is right.

Ron

Yor correct, this Luger was made in 1920, so it is the date, not a Weimar property stamp.

Joe