1921 Police help??
 

I was looking a nice 1921 DWM luger this weekend, and I have a few questions. It did have the "long spring" that holds on the side plate. I dont remember if the S/N had a letter suffix. There were no unit marks or extra stamps on the grip straps.
How can you tell if the luger is police or military?
Should the grips be numbered inside, if so with 2 or 4 digit, pencil or stamp?
Is there any other specific features to these lugers?
Thanks, Titan

The "long spring" is a sear safety....it's police. Never ink or pencil, always stamped unless someone is trying to fake/bolster it

Thanks for the reply!
Any other distinct characteristics for it to be Police?
Did they use the same stamps for police and army?
Should the S/N in the handle be 2 or 4 digit?
Thanks, Titan

yes and no

See the FAQ for further information

There are differnences between army and police, but remember the police received guns from the army until the 1930's, so migh be marked as such; so a sear safety and/or mag safety from the mid 1930's is your best guess, plus if any unit markings.


Ed

Ed,
I did a search, but couldnt find the info I was looking for. I have limited info on Lugers. Will you be at Allentown tomorrow?

At most, the grips may have the last 2 digit stamped inside at the factory, but I've seen some foreign contract lugers where the full 4 digits were later added lengthwise. May Weirmar era PO8 were issued with unnumbered grips. TH