alphabet DWM - Finnish
 

Hi there, I own a commercial alphabet DWM, serial number 3139 suffix q, it is a Finnish Luger (marked SA) and has the proof stamp C/N.
The caliber is 7,65 Parabellum.
If it is possible, I would like to know the year of manufacturing.
And also is it a common or a rare gun?
It shoots well and the blue is about 97%, the straw looks a little wear. It has a magazine with wooden bottom, with no serial number. All parts are matching and everything looks original, probably except one grip.
Approximatively, which value can it have?
Thanks in advance

Typically these models are not worth all that much but I'll wait for others more knowledgable than myself to evaluate the S/A variation.
It does look very nice however.
dju

According to my books, the contract was let in 1923. Delivery of 6000 lugers to the Finns. The q block of alphabets was mostly 1927 and some into 1928. With your serial no, I'd guess Late summer 1927.

FN

It looks really impressive, beautiful bluing!!

Thanks to everyone for informations and appreciation.
I'm new to this forum but I think it's really interesting.

Antonio,

That is one of the best looking Finnish Lugers I have seen. The fact that it remains in 7.65MM Parabellum is good. Most were rebarreled to 9MM by the Finns. I would estimate the U.S. value at $1200-$1400 to the right collector, maybe more.

Very nice example...

Ron

Since it has been brought up, I regret to tell you that this gun has been refinished.

--Dwight

An old refinish, but yes, the buffing on the line above the "SA" is obvious

Randy (collectorfirearms.org) has one Finnish Alphabet s/n 1508k for sale which looks original to me. The picture is not clear enough, but the color tone of 1508k is healthy. Finnish likes refurbishing, finding one in original shape is not an easy task.

OK I'm new in this world, now I know my gun has been reblued.
What I'd like to ask is if there is any particullar to check to be sure this rebluing was carried out.
Tha C/N proof marks are not faded, and also the gun shoews signs of wearing from holsters.
I'll appreciate any help

I know of no test for re-blue excepting the sharp eye of experienced collectors. Which is why pictures are so valuable here.
dju

Antonio,
Guns were never marked in any way to indicate a re bluing. The best evidence on your gun, for example, is to look at the "scalloped out" area of your upper receiver just to the left and above the C/N. This is where the upper receiver is contoured down near where it meets the barrel. This area should be a very sharp, crisp machining cut with wear only on the sharp edges on a 90% plus gun. Yours shows evidence of having been buffed down and the edges rounded in this area prior to re bluing..

I don't believe it's refinished in the conventional sense. I think it's a commercial assembled from reworked Imperial parts. The military serial number was shaved from the front of the frame, and the barrel extension which resulted in the "scallop". And was machined away prior to it's transformation to an alphabet commercial.

If the received had been buffed or filed and reblued to this extent, it would have removed the C/N as well as the SA stamp completely. I believe both of these marks were applied after it's being reworked to a commercial configuration.

DWM was struggling to stay alive in the early post war years, and were turning commercials out as fast as they could from any parts available.

From posted pictures.... Besides alanint mentioned, there is another place. SA was applied by Finnish. It's supposed to sit above the blue, not under the blue. Also, it's a stamp, ridge around the stamp should be unavoidable.