Questions about what I think is a frankenluger
 

Last weekend I saw a vendor at a gun show trying to sell a "1906 Navy Luger" that was very suspicious, even to me, a newbie! I got to handle it and this is all from memory.

The toggle had DWM marking on it. That seems proper.

The frame had no date on it at all. Didn't look like it was polished off even though it was refinished. It looked like it was never marked with a year. First question is what kind of frame would not have a date on it?

The barrel had no serial number on it. Second question is does that necessarily mean a replacement barrel?

On the right side of the frame there was one proof mark. It was a "crown N." That isn't right for a navy luger. It should be "crown M," correct?

The side plate had no serial number on it. Does that mean it was replaced?

The vendor was an older gentleman with lots of older guns he was selling. I didn't want to be rude to him, but I think he knew what he had and was trying to find a sucker. His asking price was $6400. That's right. Six THOUSAND four hundred.

I think it was parts from a standard military luger with a replacement barrel made to look like a navy luger. Can some of you more luger-knowledgeable folks enlighten me?

Thanks!

The C/N proof is a "Nitro" proof applied to a commercial Luger when it's passed firing the proof load.

A Navy Luger should have C/M markings. You'll find several pictures of actual Navy Lugers on this site.

Was it in 9mm Luger or .30 Luger caliber?

It's most likely that it was a DWM commercial. Those are often the donor for a faked Navy Luger.

Hard to be specific without pictures, which you likely don't have... Oh well. Check out the real ones posted on this site and let us know from your memory how close his Luger was...

Pictures of the real thing were just posted over on Jan Still's site:

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=27973

Marc

I didn't think to ask. Since there was no marking on the barrel, the caliber measurement wasn't there.

Right. No photos. They don't allow cameras into this gun show.

Likely I'll see it the next time they hold the show there. He was there at the previous one. I'm going to brush up some more on navy lugers and have a better reference.


Can you give me any info on the lack of a year on the top of the frame near the barrel?

Did it have a Navy rear sight???

For some reason I had forgotten about that when I was looking at it. I don't think so, but I'm not positive. Like I said, I'm going to be better informed next time I go there. I expect he'll be there unless he finds a buyer...doesn't seem likely...

Hi Dave, 1906 and 1908 Navies were undated. Only the 1914 Navies (dated 1916 and 1917) had dates on their chambers. They were also dated on their left frame rails and front sight blocks. All Imperial Navies had serial numbered and Navy proofed barrels, but none carried the bore measurement. Navy Lugers are a different animal and you should do your homework before you even think of spending $6,000.00. Good luck! Norm

Hey, I have been there, see what I think is a great deal, but not sure, I go back home, come to the forums, look in my books and then I am even more puzzled!

Best of luck and hope you get lucky!!

Ed

Thanks, Norm. I had no intention of spending that money on this gun. I was sure it was a fake, but I wanted to get some details here.