Identification question
 

I have what I believe to be a commercial 7.65/.30 Luger for the export market of new manufacture post WWI. All numbers I can find match except the mag which I bought at a gun show several years ago. Under the barrel is a "crowned" capital N, the number 1568 below that and a cursive M below that. The crowned N appears also on the left of the chamber and the left of the breechblock. The number 68 appears on the trigger, side plate, locking bolt/lever(not sure of correct term), and rear of toggle. 1568 also appears with the cursive M on the front of the frame below the barrel. It is stamped MADE IN GERMANY on the right of the chamber. It is salt blued with wheat parts, no grip safety, GESICHERT shows with lever at rear position of thumb safety, GELADEN on left side of extractor. Walnut checkered grips without border, has stock lugs, DWM on top of toggle with knurled knobs. There are no numbers below the 3 11/16" barrel "witness" marks but there is a small stamp mark that I cannot decipher. There are no marks in the magazine area. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, David

David:

Welcome to the forum! You are right - you have a 1920's "alphabet" Luger made in Germany by DWM for export for commercial sale. We call the "locking bolt/lever" a "takedown lever". GESICHERT means "made safe" and designates the safety is on and GELADEN means "loaded" indicating a round is in the chamber when visible.

Congrats. Value could be anywhere from $700-$1250 depending on condition and the right buyer. Would like to see photos!

Clark

Thanks so much. I should have mentioned that I knew the meaning of the German inscriptions. Any idea on what year # 1568 M would be? I've had this for about 13 years and never did anything with it until late this August when me and 3 of my sons took it to a range and ran a 50 round box of Fiocci ammo through it. It operated flawlessly and I was amazed at the complete lack of recoil and noise, unlike the knucklehead in the stall next to us with a .50 cal that hurt my ears with the muffs on. I likely will try to sell this Luger as soon as I can determine the percentage/condition and assign an accurate value. I'll get some pics on here as soon as my son is available to help my computer challenged brain.

David

'M' block would have been from late 1923 to first half of 1924

FN

David,
You mentioned it is salt blued. It should be rust blued with 'strawed' small parts. The inside of the frame and receiver should be in the white. Salt blued guns are dipped, and the internal surfaces of the frame and receiver will also be blued.