Need Help Identifing New Purchase
 

First of all, I am new to this forum. I have several lugers that I have been able to identify using Davis Standard Catalog Of Luger. Today I purchased one that I really need help with. It appears to be a DWM Commercial. It is 100% mint to the point of appearing never to have been fired. DWM toggle inscription, no chamber inscription, 9mm, 4" barrel, stock lug. Here is what baffles me: The only numbers or marks on the pistol are: 1932 with two which look like little question marks beneth on the front of the frame, crown n on the left side of the receiver, and a mark I can not make out on the left side of the front toggle link. Other than those there are no other marks or numbers anywhere exterior or interior on the gun. Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom

Tom, welcome to the forum

Keep in mind that Aarons book is not bad, but has many mistakes.

Can you provide pictures?

Full left, full right, markings (visible, not ones hidden).

Ed

Need Help With New Purchase
 

Ed:
Yes I could send pictures but the problem is there are no markings to show other than the ones I detailed: 1938 on the front of the frame and a crown n on the side of the receiver.
Tom

Tom, Sounds re blued.

Need Help With New Purchase
 

Ed:
Attached are the pictures you requested.
Tom

Beautiful Commercial!!

I would not think reblue - Internals are perfect.
Tom

Ed:
I send pictures but had to put them in a new thread.
Tom

No, I merged them, you can just ADD REPLY

Is there a suffix on the front of the frame ? i.e. a letter

If no, then it is likely a new made in the 1919-1920 time frame by DWM for the commercial market, the markings on it, is to be expected.

The serial number (last two) should be on the underneath of the sideplate and take down lever.

Ed

Sweet looking 9MM commercial!

Hi Tom, and welcome to the forum.

If you're in the Raleigh area, I'll be helping at the Gun Show at GRNC's booth and could take a close look at your Luger on Sunday.

Double check to be sure it's a 9mm Luger. A no.2 pencil should easily fit down the muzzle. If it doesn't or is tight, it's a .30 Luger caliber pistol. The barrel length looks like it may be in .30 Luger.

The serial number of your Luger is the 4 numeric digits and one script suffix letter that are on the front of the frame above the trigger guard. I can't make it out due to focus in your third picture.

This one is in a remarkable state of preservation.



Marc

Ed: The only number on the gun is the "1932" on the frame under the barrel. Below that are two marks that look like question marks without the . I have two other commercials and understand where the numbers are on them. My question about this one is regarding the fact that is has no other numbers anywhere, exterior or interior.
Tom

Marc:
I chambered a 9mm to be sure of the caliber.
Tom

Marc:
Where are you from? I can't come to Raleigh Sunday but would love to have you look at the gun. I live just outside of Charlotte.
Tom

Bring it to Greensboro on the 26th. I will be set up there.

A very NICE commercial. Congrats!

Let me refine my questions: How uncommon is it for a DWM Commercial to only have a single serial # on the front of the receiver and no other numbers or markings anywhere, exterior or interior, except for the crown N on the left front of the receiver? Given that, how does the absence of numbers affect the value, good, bad, or indifferent?
Thanks,
Tom

Really nice looking Luger. The serial number is too low for a 1920 Commercial so the "question marks without a period" almost have to be a letter suffix. It would be great if you could post a clear photo of the frame serial number and marks. I don't think that will explain the lack of any other numbering but it might help, and if nothing else it will satisfy my curiosity about the marks!:)

I have always maintained that all bets are off on 1920s production guns. They are all over the place on configuration and numbering. They are fairly consistent but odd variations do pop up. As far as value goes I suspect that given the gun is original finish the condition would still place the value up there with the best of the 1920 Commercials. You might have trouble convincing a buyer of that but that is my opinion. The fact that it is a 9mm is also unusual and boosts the value.

"two marks that look like question marks without the ."

sounds like suffix "n". Just a wild guess.

Alvin:
I think you are correct - after looking at your attached image of the suffix "n" that is what mine is also. 1932 with an n just below.

Ron: With that settled, the only other marks on the gun are the crown N on the left front of the receiver and what appears to be a faint crown N on the left side of the front toggle link.

From what I gather from your responces is that it is a late production commercial with no real explanation for not having the usual parts numbered.

Thanks everyone for you help.

Tom