Need help with some weird markings
 

Hi all this is my first post!

My dad is giving me this Luger 1936 as a gift. It's coming via mail but he sent me some pictures that have me confused. They are some markings (letters and numbers) engraved below the trigger that read like this: S.W.I. 1. 132. R. and there is a 324 in top of the 132. Also some of the numbers are x out (1.132. R.). I am including the pictures that I have so far but if anybody has an idea of what are these markings I will really appreciate your time and input.

The big questions are, do the numbers match? I bet not, as unit markings were not being applied by this year.

Welcome to the forum ;)

What part of pa?

Like Ed, I bet it's various parts. A 1936 top cannon and a WW1 DWM frame. It's been buffed & re blued so there's a good chance it's mis matched.

Thank you for your response Ed and Jerry. I will try to get some more pictures and find out if they matched.
By the way Ed I'm from Pittsburgh (Verona neighborhood). What about you?

Definitely mismatched. The markings on the grip strap (frame) are those of the Weimar-era Schutzpolizei of Frankfurt am Main in the Wiesbaden administrative district. The original marking S.W.I.1.132.R. is in accordance with the 1922 marking instructions and was stamped sometime before 1932, probably in the 1920s. The second marking is S.W.I.324. and is in accordance with revised instructions issued in 1932.

To specifically answer your question from the first post, the markings on the grip strap are unit markings associated with a Weimar era police unit. Don, the expert, gave you the details in his post above...

These would not have been found on a 1936 era Luger, which is why the others are confident that the gun has been assembled from parts of other Lugers.

These often make great shooters. Enjoy!!! Marc

Thank you all for the information!
 

Thank you all for the information. I really appreciate your time and patience with my amateur questions. Thank you Don and Marc for clarifying what was the meaning of the markings. I just got the gun today and took some extra pictures and you guys were right it is a mis match.

I plan to use it as a shooter and will try it soon.

One last question. I was wondering being mis match and then buffed plus blued, what is the value of a gun like this? Other than the sentimental value. lol

Thanks again for all of your responses.

last pic
 

last pic

Because of it being a mismatch of parts, plus buffed and reblued, it falls into a shooter category and not into a collector category. If it is a reliable shooter, and functions correctly, in my area of the Country it would sell for $7-800. In some areas where a Luger is scarce, a bit more.

As to shooting it, I highly suggest that:
(1) Do NOT use that wood base mags, as age has weakened the wood and it my just crack/break if you load it fully. An aftermarket Mec-Gar mag is a much better choice for shooting, plus it will have new mag springs.

(2) Do NOT use NATO, +P, or +P+ ammo in this luger. Standard Velocity ammo like Winchester White Box, PMC, Federal American Eagle in 115gr, or 124gr FMJ should work for you.

(3) Use a good firm grip on your Luger, as they will malfunction without it.

(4) Field strip this Luger for a good cleaning and lube before going to the range. Many times these handguns have had zero attention for years and years. They are just a machine, and they need to be clean and lubed.

Let us know how things work out for you and your new Luger.

rhuff thank you for responding and for the useful suggestions regarding shooting it. I will definitely follow them and I'm glad you mention it since I was completely unaware.

You are more than welcome....my pleasure. I hope all goes well when you go to the range, and if it does, you will have a smile on your face that is hard to wipe off!!! These are fun guns to shoot.

Sail,

First of all welcome to this forum of Luger enthusiasts.
I agree 100% with what Richard (RHUFF) told you.
Moreover be careful when you'll take off the left wooden grip as it's pretty easy to brake the top corner of it.
Even if your Luger is not really a collectible, and it has been reblued, lugers by themselves are always very special guns, so I' convinced that your father ment to make you a good present.
My 2 cents.

Sergio

Hey Sail,

Welcome aboard the forum. It is a great looking pistol and will be tons of fun to shoot as others have indicated. Nice gift from your Dad. Check out the "Shooting and Reloading" section of the forum when you get ready to shoot it. The knowledge of this group is amazing as you can see, and a helpful lot as well!

Chris

Thank you Sergio for the extra tips and thank you Chris for pointing out the specific thread for me to read before playing with my new "toy" I was actually wondering where to find a thread with that info.