Looking for some assistance
 

I am new to site and was hopeful that I could get some help with a gun that I inherited.
I believe that it is a 1914 (no date stamp on the gun, only holster) 7.65mm DWM. The serial number is 863 and has a crown N proof, but lacks many of the other markings that seem to show up on the other Lugers of this era. All the numbers match, but the holster seems to have been altered (shortened) and the bluing on the barrel is slightly different from that of the gun. I brought it to a local gun shop, the gentlemen was very nice, but admittedly didn't have a lot of expertise with Luger's.

some additional photo's
 

Here are some additional pic's

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. Your Luger looks to be an Alphabet Commercial, the most common variation, but in exceptional condition. Is it stamped "GERMANY" ? Many thousands of these were imported into the U.S. in the 20's for commercial sale. These usually sell for $700-$800, but in this condition I would guess it could go for $1000-$1200 to an interested party.

The holster is an Imperial WWI 8" Artillery holster shortened to 4" for issue to the German Weimar Police, post WWI. The twist latch is an enhancement added here in the U.S. at some point in time destroying any appreciable value. It's worth maybe $50-$75.

Ron

Thanks for the help
 

Yes, it is stamped "Made in Germany".

The 'm' is part of the S#. The full serial# is 863m. Your Luger was made in late 1923 or early 1924.

Was this common that a Luger made in 1923 or 1924 got place in a holster stamped (made?) in 1914?

This stamp is under the flap of the holster

Al,

The Luger was imported in the 20's for commercial sale. It didn't come with the holster. The holster was purchased to go with the Luger at a later date.

The holster has had the strap fastener added by someone here in the states. The Germans didn't use this type of fastener. It originally had a brass or steel stud to hold the strap, which was mounted on another piece of leather that held the holster to an Artillery Luger stock harness.

Here are a couple of photos of what the holster would have looked like originally. Many of these Artillery holsters were separated from the harness and stock after WWI, and shortened for issue to the police in the 20's.

Your holster probably made it's way to the States after WWII and was purchased to hold the Luger.

Ron

Thanks Ron. I was surprised to learn that a holster made in 1914 got matched up with a gun made some 20 years later. Had the holster not been altered, would it have a value?

Ron,
I just looked at the pictures you sent of the original 1914 artillery holster. Interesting to know that my holster started off like this. Thanks for all your help.
Al

Al, I just looked at the pictures you sent of the original 1914 artillery holster. This photo that Ron put up is NOT an original Artillery holster but a reproduction.

Jerry Burney

Al,

As Jerry says, it's a repro. I just wanted to show you the original style. If your holster was still original configuration it would be worth hundreds of dollars. With the original stock and harness, several hundred more. These holster rigs were made from 1914 thru 1918.

Ron