new owner needs basic help//
 

I inheritated a luger, have done some basic research. Its a dwm model, has all matching numers except clips. It has an original holster with extra sight and spare clip. Other than that I have no idea how to figure out what year it is, how should I care for it does it have much value etc. . I would be happy to send pictures if someone can help me.

Lasn,

I'm about as basic as you can get! Pictures are needed to be able to tell you anything. There's instructions here on the board, but I can't look that up and type too. Basically write your message, then page down to find 'Advanced' Find upload pictures. As for pictures, look through the site albums. Note the lighting and what is needed from the piece. i.e. Toggle, right side proofs, chamber stampings, front of frame, under the barrel, etc.

Care for it as you would any fine gun. But don't get oil on the wood grips.

Pictures for review
 

Maybe someone can tell me something about this gun- I am not even certain what caliber it is. What is your opinion of it overall condition/value Thanks

Lasn,

Looks like you have a commercial luger, called the alphabet series. See the crown/N above the numbers on the left side? These were made from 1921-1928. I can't quite read the letter under the ser. no. on the front of the frame. That would give me a month and year. There were about 90,000 of these made. Somewhere on it you'll also find 'Germany' or' Made in Germany' if it was exported to the USA.

Calibre? One test is to see if the eraser end of a wood pencil will fit down the muzzle. Lot's of room, it's a 9mm. No go, or tight it's a 7.65

I'll let the better informed tell you about the holster, and condition The mags look like commercial variety.

FN

It appears that you have 4-500 bucks worth of mags..as long as the other sides look like the pics and the bases ae not chipped or gouged.

I am confused by this gun.

With all those C/N, it also has military style explicit s/n and RC barrel etc.

Is it a valid variation? Please teach me on this one.

You're right , Steve. I didn't look close enough. Type 4 army mags.

ok- a little more info....
 

nowhere on the gun does it say germany. Also there is nothing under ther serial # on the frame to show month and year of manufacture. It is a 9mm. On the underside of the barrel below ther ser no and some little emblem is 8,83. The litte symbol looks like a lower case p turned about 15 degrees clockwise.

Lasn,

Go to the left side of the screen. Technical information. Letter suffixes. Pick out the one that looks most like yours. e.g. if 6961p is the whole serial number of your pistol. Or at least the frame. If that's the case, your pistol was made roughly between Mar 1926, and Feb 1927.

There is a letter under the serial...pic lightened below...

Barrel is a cornucopia of markings...

Thanks, post. That looks like an S to me. Then, there was an increased production rate. S series from the very last of 1928 to the first 2-3 months of 1929. From Still's:" Mostly police production with E/Wa66 stamps. Some military, few commercial."

I don't see a sear safety.

I am only an egg...but it is the first bore diameter I've seen stamped on the contour of the barrel flange... :confused:

Agree, Post. Let's see what the 'Old Guys' have to say.

So Lasn,

Let's see if we here can agree on this. It is a DWM, late alphabet series. Not police as it doesn't have a sear safety. Lots of what are usually military markings on the barrel. Military mags, but from 1941-42. Check those for markings. Should have an Eagle/37, small letters fxo, and a P.08 on the left side. Conclusion: An alphabet that went to the military?

The 8.83 is the bore diameter in mm, from land to land.

FN

ok, my 2 cents

never seen those markings on the left of a luger.

best guess it is a commericial that went into military service.

cailber is 9mm (the 8,83) land to land measurement

No date stamp on top would be correct.


Ed

How to explain the C/RC? Is it a WWI left over spare barrel, had never been installed, new at late 1920s, Weimar Eagle applied and replaced the original barrel.... make some sense -- who else could or would make 9m/m barrel except Simson in 1920s.... only left over could be used if it's not by the official supplier.

you described the exact markings on the clips

The barrel has the same serial number as the rest of the gun, also there is a V on the very front of the forward sight- ie looking down the barrel

the marking under the serial number is a S what ever that may mean. I matched it with the suffex' s on the technical page.

My best guess is that it started out a a 30 cal. 29 DWM commercial with C/N proof on receiver, breechblock, and original barrel. It was later put into military service. Barrel changed to 9mm and military style serial number placement added to follow regulations. If the takedown lever and sideplate or original you will also find '61' stamped on the bottom edge of each part (hidden commercial style).