I'm trying to ID a luger I just bought...
 

I just bought my first Luger 9mm Pistol and am having a hard time figuring out if its a commercial or a military by the numbers and markings on the gun. All matching numbers on gun except for clip and handles. Its a DWM, proof marks on the right hand side, top of barrel number is 1916, left hand side number is 7512, numbers on all other parts of the gun is 12. there is a number on bottom of the barrel that is partialy rubbed of but I can read 8,82 and a marking above that the looks like an odd shaped K, I would apppriciate any help with info on this gun. Like I said this is my first luger so I'm new at Identifying them. Thanks, Troy Pike www.pikestaxidermy.com email me at lowrdr839@aol.com please if you can help. thanks again.

Military

Hi Troy, and welcome to the forum.

Pictures certainly help. Sounds like you have a military DWM with made in 1916.

8,82 is the distance (in mm) between the lands of a 9mm barrel, which would have been used on a WW-I military Luger.

Is there a serial number on the front of the frame, just above the trigger guard. That would normally be the serial number of your pistol. The number is normally 1 to 4 numeric digits, plus the letter that appears under the number as a suffix. For example 1234a.

The bottom of the barrel near the receiver should have the same serial number as the receiver and the frame. The barrel serial and the number on the front of the frame would have the suffix letter placed under the numeric portion of the serial number.

If it is all matching, the serial should be 7512k from the description you gave.

But, you say the serial has been scrubbed from the barrel.... So, perhaps this pistol has been re-barreled.

Pictures always help.

Is there an import mark?

Marc

I thought the 8,82 was a serial number also....guess I was wrong on that. Is it ERFURT? The graph I found for serial numbers only go up to 5764? I couldn't find this serial number on any referances? How can you tell its military. Thanks so much for the information all of you. Troy Pike

I'm not sure what to look for for a import mark? Thanks Troy

Hi Troy,

You can post higher resolution pictures (it's difficult to see the detail in the ones that you posted). Perhaps 800 pixels across.

You have a DWM made military Luger. What makes you think it's somehow related to the Erfurt Imperial arsenal? It was made by DWM in Berlin in their factory there.

The proof and acceptance marks on the right of the receiver, and placement of the serial numbering help identify it as a military Luger. "7512k" is the serial number. This is also in the military rather than commercial style of numbering.

Import marks would normally be externally visible. Your Luger probably came into the USA as a military "bring back" sometime after WW-I or WW-II.

The finish condition is a bit rough from rust pitting and moisture exposure. Most of what I can see in the pictures looks right. The safety bar should be numbered. Is it quite small? Are the grips numbered? Be quite careful when removing them. There are dis-assembly instructions on this site. If all the numbers match, it looks all original and would be considered matching.

Is the bore in good condition?

Congratulations on your first Luger!

Marc

Are the grips numbered?
All matching numbers on gun except for clip and handles.

Yes saftey bar is numbered with a 12 also. Bore looks good. Grips are not numbered. All other numbers on the gun match except grips and clip, I took it out today and shot it a few times. It jammed almost every shot. I did notice that the clip is very loose and the action seemed to lock open after almost every shot. Would the loose clip cause this issue? Would ammunition cause this? I shoot mostly revolvers so semi autos are kind of new to me especially old ones. I was shooting Herter's internatrional select grade 9mm luger 115 gr FMJ. Thanks for all the information. Troy Pike

Troy, Hasn't Herters been out of business for 40 years? I would take a look at your holdopen spring. Sounds like it may be installed incorrectly or broken or ?? Could be flopping around in it's well. Anyway best to investigate it;s condition.

A loose magazine might have the opposite effect..NOT making the holdopen activate.

For testing purposes I would use Winchester bulk ammo from Wallmart. 115 grain.

I would field strip the weapon and give it a good look.

FYI- Cabelas is selling Herter's ammo, steel cased surplus, ( Russian type)I bought some to shoot in my .380 and it's junk! My gun malfunctioned constantly using it. Works fine with good commercial ammo though. Z

Pick up a Mec-Gar magazine for range work and eliminate the possibility of a mag.-related issue.
dju

Troy, I have the new MecGar mags and hold open springs in stock. TH