Hey Guys-new here
 

Great site here. After using online sources to research guns, cars etc. for 10 plus years, its really nice to find such an impressive resource of concentrated knowledge. It's really refreshing compared to the high noise level on some sites. I'm a shooter as well as a collector, most often in 3 gun and action pistol matches.
I've been interested in weapons and history as far back as I can recall, and at 49, my interests are recently focusing on older weapons. Most of my firearms collection is modern, but I have always harbored a special interest in WWI and WWII era weapons. I have decided to ad a Luger (or 2) and and Springfield M1903A1 to start my new journey into military collecting. After spending several hours reading here, I'm hoping you Guys will allow me to make your site one of my primary resources for information on all things Luger.
My 1st question is: What are some possible indicators that a Luger has seen use in both World Wars? I'm hunting my 1st Luger now (posted on the WTB board), and would love to find a pistol that was likely used in both wars.

Welcome to the forum XXXXXXX

Unless it was refurbished and has a replacement barrel from WW2 era, it is hard to tell.

A WW1 era luger that went into police service almost is guaranteed to have been used in both wars, maybe not in battle for WW2, but many police were sent to the 'front' and used, plus some police were militerized.

Or you can find a bring-back that is from WW1 and brought back after WW2, but these certificates can and are faked....


Ed

Oops, the name's Pete :). Are there specific markings that indicate police adoption? A 1920 property stamp?

That's a start, but not exclusive to police pistols. Look for a sear safety and possibly the remaining evidence of a magazine safety. Other indicators are an "Eagle L" stamping, Unit Marks, magazines marked with a serial number and then either a 1 or 2 for the spare.

Many police used Lugers will have their particular branch designation stamped on the front grip strap. In addition, most will have a sear safety and often the remnants of a magazine safety.

Okay, so I'm slower than Alanint.

Neil

Thank you all, Gents. This info is very helpful.

I am attaching a few photos to illustrate the features discussed above. The sear safety is the riveted attachment on the top left side, overlapping the side plate. The remnants of the magazine safety is shown in the view with the left grip removed.

Neil

Hi Pete, and welcome to the forum.

Another way to find a Luger used in both wars would be to locate one that was made for WW-I (chamber dated through 1918) and captured during WW-II (provenance provided by capture papers).

Marc

Neil,
Thanks for those photos. Interesting configuration for a sear safety, I'm guessing since it was an afterthought to the design. Is the mag safety actuated by the lever at the top left of the left grip, just above the trigger return spring? It looks like it was trimmed back flush with the frame. Did it originally block the trigger? Looks like if that was the case and it was intact, it could be seen protruding from underneath the grip?
Thanks to all you Guys for taking time to share your knowledge.

yes to your questions / the mag safety did not work as they wanted, so most (almost all) were taken off or disabled.

The advantage to a police luger is that you can find a WW1 or earlier one that went into Weimar Police service (unit marking on it), then had a sear safety (pre-WW2) and perhaps find one with a matching aluminum magazine that was nazi proofed.

Ed