1910 DWM Luger
 

Good afternoon gents,

I am new to this forum and new to the world of Lugers. Last year I purchased this 1910 Luger. Correct me if Im wrong on anything. I have completely disassembled and cleaned this luger. It has all matching numbers to include the mag (is the mag numbering correct?) and grips. I honestly believe it to be the original finish as the inside is still in the white and the parts that should be are strawed. I bought this for $850 which I feel was a great deal considering Ive seen none matching shooters go for about that. There are no unit markings on it and there are no import stamps. What is the approximate value of this? I have shot it and love too but do you guys think this is one I should not shoot? Bluing is nice I would say about 70%, the only spot that exhibits major pitting is aroud the 1910 stamp other than that she looks good. What you guys think

Thank you very much for any info and I am one happy Luger owner....but now I want more of them lol

Hi Dimitri, Welcome to the forum! Your 1910 DWM looks all original including the magazine. Early DWM magazines had large numbers running lengthwise and early Imperial Lugers, like yours, with matching magazines are quite rare. Despite it's condition issues, I wouldn't shoot it if it were mine. Regards, Norm

Dimitri
I agree with Norm. A 1910 with a correct matching mag is while not rare are uncommon. I would try and stabilize the pitting, keep it well oiled and not shoot it." You done good" Bill

Thanks guys for the replies.... as much as I love shooting it, i wont :( I make sure that I use a silicone cloth to wipe her down everytime I put hands on and make sure that there is no fingerprints/ grease. As far a stabilizing the pitting whats the best approach for that? Do you guys think that what I paid was a good deal?

Not sure about the 1910 DWM manufacturing process, but were the barrel serial numbers stamped after rust finishing like the later ones?

If so, (and it could be the lighting) I don't see the halos around the numbers that you'd expect. That could indicate a refinish.

You can stabilize the rusting areas of finish by using a good preservative gun oil, and well oiled steel wool. This will remove red oxide, and leave the black oxide unless you use too much pressure and are too aggressive.

There is normally red oxide visible deep in the finish of an old rust blued pistol in it's original finish.

Usually, Lugers are considered collectable when in original finish, all matching original parts and 80% or better finish coverage. One that is more rare could be considered collectable at a lower finish coverage. Given we haven't seen the grip frame areas, this looks like a higher percentage of finish than 70%. Straw looks decent too.

If everything is correctly matching, you got this for a very low price. At least a mid range collectable at a shooter price. If it is refinished, you still got a rarer pistol with matching magazine for a mid level shooter price. Congratulations.

Marc

Make sure the steel wool you use is 0000. Bill

I like the early lugers.

With halo's, I find that some guns don't show them very well after so many years, but some good pictures with indirect lighting might show a halo?


Ed

Thanks for all the input guys.
I really believe based upon what I have learned about lugers that the finish is original. all the parts on the inside are still left in the white and the parts that should be are strawed. Upon close examination of the stampings they do not look like they would if they had been reblued. Thanks Bill I will certainly make sure that if I put any wool on it that it is 0000. If you guys need any additional pictures please feel free to let me know.
Oh another thing....I bought this from the pawn shop where my wife worked and one day she called me and said that they had just received this Luger, a P38, and Colt 1911, all from the same person. well needless to say that they had the P38 priced at 350 (I got it for 300) they thought it was a post war P1...turns out its
a Nazi stamped CYQ with original finish, not import stamps and a JVD stamped mag....$300 (I immediately recognized it as such and not the P1 as I already had a P1) , cant beat that....as for the Colt...its all correct serial number 36xxx dating 1916 original finish and two tone mag...came with what may well be a correct holster but it doesnt have a date that I've seen, got that for $875...i think thats pretty good too... So all this adds to the fact that Im confident that the finish is original. I will do my best to preserve all these great pieces of history...
thank you all for your help and btw this forum is very informative thank you all for the info

Please add a couple of photos looking down on the toggles from the top. I am interested to see if the vertical pin head is blued or un-blued.
A very nice Luger!
dju

Hi David, Dimitri's second photo shows the pin head. It is "in the white". Regards, Norm

Does this 1910 have the hold open installed?

This one does not have the bolt hold open.

I can see the fainted halos aroud the serial numbers under the barrel.
It is just not so clear but it is there.
You did incredibly find with the whole batch.

Douglas.

I love the 1910s Good fin especially with the original correct magazine..

Thanks for sharing. Like others said it's a great find with an original mag.
Are there any markings on the front of the grip area?
Sounds like a nice 3 gun catch.

Norme:
I saw that photo, but there is a glare present that makes it hard to tell if the pin is in the white or if that is just glare.
This is a very nice gun!
dju

Thanks guys, I know I def put some money into the 3 gun find but I know I did good. As far as markings on the front there are none nor does it appear that there were ever any. Based upon what you guys have seen what would you put the rough estimate of this piece at?
I would never sell it I would just like to know

Thank you again
Dimitri

If you were selling it I'd suggest that you start at $2K. Probably bring closer to $1500 in today's climate.
dju

NO way I would sell it, in fact I want more:D. Thanks guys

$2000 is a low estimate in my mind.