Comments and info on my 1915 DWM appreciated
 

Well i finally got some pics of my 1915 DWM Luger and actually figured out how to post the pics in the album section. I'd really appreciate any and all comments good or bad and any info i could get about the markings. I paid $1400 at a collector gun shop, i love the gun and will never sell it but if anyone could tell by the pics if i got hosed or if that was a fair price i'd be interested in thier opinion. I haven't fired it and probably never will but i did take it down and clean it and it appears to be in good working order. Thanks again for any comments or info you can give me. I'd really like to know as much as possible about it and will be reading the forum as time permits but any headstart one of the more knowledgable people on the board can give me would make for a good starting point. :cheers:

Joe, what kind of information are you looking for?

I can look up tonight approx how many were made, folks might like to know the suffix of the 1915.

The war had just started the year before, so lugers were still being made very well.

The album section works well, although here in the posting is even better ;)

I think you did fine on your price, its got some freckling, but overall a very nice gun.

Ed

Hi Ed,
Basicly i was wanting to find out things like # made, rarity or collectability of this model and year, was this a GI bring back or imported. Where would an import mark be and look like? You said people might be interested in the suffix of the 1915, where would i find that at? Is it a number or one of the designs stamped in it? Is there a way to find out what each design means and significance of the locations they are on the gun? Oh and hate to ask another stupid question but you said it had some "freckling" could you explain that term? Really appreciate you taking a look at my new prize , feel better hearing i didnt get hosed on the price and looking forward to learning the history and ins and outs of this and other Lugers !

Thanks again
Joe

Hi Joe,
Looks like you paid a fair price.
Bob

Welcome Joe!
The suffix is a cursive letter, which follows the serial number on most guns. You will find it under the serial number on the front of the gun's frame, under the barrel. If there is no letter then your gun comes from the first 10.000 made.

Import marks are usually stamped somewhere conspicous and will usually be an abreviated name and US state of the company which imported the gun. These will be obviously new and would stand out right away. Most are found on the underside of the barrel.

"Freckling" refers to the little spots of rust or blemishes found throughtout your gun's finish. Your finish is really outstanding aside from the freckles, indicating that although the gun was cared for, it was exposed to minor moisture at times, causing these blemishes. They drop the gun's value somewhat.

Hope this helps

Thanks alanint !
Well i had to break out the magnifier glass, guess my eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be , i found a cursive "C" under the serial number on the underside of the barrel. Anyway to find out how many were produced in 1915? I didn't find any signs of an Import mark, so i guess that verifies what i was told when i purchased it as it being a GI bring back. I'd love to know the history and story behind the GI that brought it back but i'm sure that story went to the grave with the original owner. Half the fun of owning one of these historic guns is trying to uncover it's past, plus the "coolness" factor it adds to my safe when i open it and see it displayed under the lights :)

Serial number range: 54-8498L from "Central Powers Pistols". Estimated 105,000 made.

FN

Congratulations! Great first Luger! If only she could tell you her story.

Clark