1921 Luger
 

At a recent gun show, I ran across a 1921 DWM luger. The 1921 was stamped over the chamber, so I am thinking it was the manufacturing date. The gun looked genuine, bluing was fair and the gun was clean. The gun was numbered in the military fashion, so I assume it went to the army, no sear safety and no indication of assignation. All of the visible parts had the correct last two digits of the serial no., with the exception of the side plate and the toggle assembly. They both had the last three numbers of the s.n. stamped on them. Is it unusual to see some of these guns with the last three digits of the s.n. on some parts and just the last two numbers on other parts? Was this something that happened in this time frame?
Just curious, as I haven't run across this type of marking before. More to add to my data base.
Thanks to all who respond.
barr44

I have seen 3 digits on some guns, my reading tells me that it is when the unit had weapon with the same of the last two.

I can't say whether it was every part numbered with 3 digits, but I think just some is my recollection.


Ed

5 digit commercials sometimes have 3 digit parts?

New manufactured 1921 Lugers were all in.. no suffix, a and b suffix serial number range. It was probably stamped with the Property Mark due to confusion in translating the marking order.

Well look who has finally come back to life! I've missed you Ron.

Some 1921 Lugers had 5-digit serial numbers. I think most of these went to the police.

Neil

Ron, I missed you too, welcome back! Regards, Norm

Neil,

I believe the 5 digit 1921s were built and matched to "1919" pre-Alphabet (refered to as "1923") commercial frames.

I have read that when there were two Lugers in a unit with the same last two digits, they often stamped the 3rd digit on the side plate to avoid a mis-match.

Thanks guys..

I've been dropping bye on occaision to see if you "Experts" are leading anyone astray. So far you seem to know what you're talking about. :thumbup:

Too danged cold to be out in the woods, so thought I would stop over and add to the confusion.

Ron