One of these things is not like the other
 

Hey:

I am new to the forums, as well as the Luger world. I just got my first luger a few days ago and I have a few questions that I am sure you guys could help with. My luger is a 1916 DWM nearly all matching, with the exception of the sideplate.

As you can see, my sideplate is neither numbered nor is it the same configuration as a normal luger sideplate. The dealer i bought it off of had never seen something like this before. My guess is that it is either a machined part or it came from another countrie's luger knockoff. I dont have anything to backup my ideas.

Anyone ever see this before, or know what it is?

Thanks!

Michael..What does the underside look like?

Also, perhaps a photo of it installed on the gun. Judging from the apparent thickness of it, it may be a homemade or gunsmith's handmade replacement.

Hey, sorry, I have been away from the computer for a while. Ive added a few more pictures, please let me know what you think.
Also, how much would having a non matching sideplate like this kill the value? Everything else is matching, with the execption of the wood based mag

That is one weird sideplate! Value..A good replacement sideplate would run say..$100-150 I guess so value would be reduced by that. Then the pistol is STILL a mismatched shooter. IF it shoots at all with either sideplate. Ron says..it may be a homemade or gunsmith's handmade replacement. I would have to concur with this assesment but I have to say it would really take some effort to produce that thing!
Does it work?

Doesn't look all that bad installed...needs some milling, maybe to make it look like a Swiss sideplate...If it works, then you've got a shooter...

It works perfectly fine, great grouping at 20 yards. Doesnt seem to have any functional flaws. Have you ever seen anything like it? I have talked to tons of different people and nobody seems to know.

Has to be a handmade jobbie, no other ones like it that I've seen and on the forum, we've seen a lot :)

As your Luger is a DWM, you can go to the sideplate swap/buy thread and see if you can get one with the last two digits of your serial number on it.

Well..If it works I wouldn't change it! Kind of neat actually. Not often you see something that well made that functions like it should.
Even if you found another proper sideplate it might not work.

I concur that this is a gunsmith/machinist attempt at making a functional replacement sideplate... It appears very well made... On a shooter, I wouldn't bother to replace it if it works well.

roger that

Mike, I've seen a few other crude home-made side plates on some lugers that I've parted out. I agree if yours works OK and your luger has other mismatched parts, just enjoy it. If that's the only mismatched part, you would be justified in trying to fine a matching original. TH