How to identify this luger
 

Good Evening,

Found this in my mother in laws dresser. While I have several guns lugers and not my area of knowledge.

How do I go about determining a value on this ? Also when was it made.

Thanks in Advance

Kevin

Did she have it stored just like that??? With no sideplate???

Import marked, no military proofs...a 7.65mm commercial???

Odd handgun for a woman...Not a bringback...Wonder where/why she picked that up...

It looks like it's probably in pretty good condition. With the sideplate, it's value could be $600-$700 for the right buyer.

This is a 1920 era Commercial Luger made by DWM. As postino mentioned, it is likely in 7.65 Luger caliber. If a common wood pencil will not fit in the barrel, it's a 7.65 rather than the 9mm (which was mostly for military pistols).

You really need to locate the sideplate. If you have it and are having difficulty re-installing it, you'll find reference material here.

Marc

Guys,
Thanks for the information. Yes it was stored just like that. My gut tells me it was her fathers as he had many many guns.
Is a side plate something that can be purchased at the right gun show ? Also does the side plate have a serial number that would need to match from a value standpoint ?

Ahh a side plate that would explain why the top will not close. The magazine seems to take a 30 caliber empty case no problem. Is that equil to a 7.65 ?

Thanks again.

Kevin,

If the toggles are held up by an item we call the hold open, pull back on the toggles, with the magazine out, expect a tiny click and then it should close down. Then, as it is right now, with the takedown lever down (that's the thing just ahead of the trigger guard you should be able to slide the upper forward and off the frame.

The side plate is a mostly square thing with a lower extension. See some of the albums or 'technical Information', the illustrated parts list item 039. Inside that part 107 and 108.
FN

A couple of pointers;

1. The 'germany' marking is an export marking, it was required to meet US tarif laws showing country of origin.

2. 7.65mm is also known as 30 luger

:cheers:


Value is greatly affected by having a major mismatched part, so the value above ia bout right. WITH a matched part (look around for it) the value would be $800-1000 retail.

Ed

Here's a couple pics of my commercial 7.65 Luger, with sideplate off & installed...

They are numbered (usually) on the bottom of the sideplate, but there are un-numbered ones around...Sarco, Numrich, or Lugerdoc should be able to fix you up with a sideplate assembly (3 parts)...

Look around the house that Luger was in...It should be around someplace...

Thanks everyone this helps a ton. We will start the digging process.

Joe,
There are no upper case 'suffix' alphabets on military or commercial Lugers.

Mike,
I think Joe is refering to the Germany marking, i.e. "GERMANY" vs. "Germany".

OH!!!
Thanks,

Joe,
That's what I meant...you were reporting what you had been told, not that you were the origin of that information.

P.S. I have known Mike Morris of Relics of the Reich for more years than I can remember. Mike has had thousands of Lugers pass through his hands.

Joe,
Please post pictures of your 20 Kriegoffs!!! We would love to see them.