First Luger
 

Hello all, I recently purchased my first luger. :burnout:

It is a DWM, chambered in .30 cal, in excellent condition. All 4 Numbers on frame/slide dont match, but the last 2 digits do match (71). The luger is in excellent condition, with most of the blueing that looks original and no rust. There is no date marked above the chamber. I did see the crown and N proof marks.

I think this is a so called "commercial" luger, made for the US/German civilian market, is that correct?

What is the approximate value?

What would be the approximate date that this luger was made?

I am planning on picking up a few luger books, " Standard catalog of the luger" looked like a good one to pick up. Any others?
Thanks in advance!

Andrew,
Sounds like you have a DWM Alphabet Commercial formerly known as a 1920 Commercial. Pictures are needed to verify it. There should be a suffix under the S# on the front of the frame and the underside of the barrel, which is actually part of the S#. It will be a lower case cursive letter. ie:1234i. Alphabet Commercials were made from 1921 to 1928. The S# and suffix are needed to date the production of yours. The last two digits of the S# on the small parts is correct and considered matching. The price range is $500 to $1500 depending on if it is all matching #'s, condition, and original finish or reblued. The Standard Catalog of Lugers is a good reference in general, but has lots of mistakes in it. I would recommend any of Jan Still's books; Central Powers Pistols, Weimar Lugers, Third Reich Lugers.