Dwm reissue
 

Gentlemen,
I have posted this to another well known luger site but thought that it might get additional visibility here. In my quest, I have run across a 1916/1920 stamped DWM that I would like your opinion on. I believe that it may be refinished as it is in excellent shape but the finish looks well done so perhaps it was a period re-finish?. There are tooling marks evident in the rear of the receiver but I am suspicious of the depth of some of the numbering. It doesn't have an import stamp, all of the parts visible are matching and the bore is good-excellent. If it is a period refinish does that drop it's value down all the way to that of a shooter? Does the 1920 stamp diminish the value or is it considered just another part of the pistol's history?

Thank you

Bigger pics needed!

MUCH bigger pics needed. Clear focus, taken in natural light (overcast day taken outside is best) with no flash.

And please attach the photos directly to your posting by uploading them on this site, and not an external website linked to here... The reason for this is external sites often rearrange their configuration and the links go dead.

Dwm re-issue
 

John,
Roger, thank you. I will see if I can figure out how to attach bigger pictures when I return from work.
Do you have any insight as to the relative desirability of of a 1916/1920 reissue versus a straight WW1 sample and if it were a period refinish versus a job done later?

Regards,
Ricardo

Dwm bigger pictures
 

Gentlemen,
I have attached bigger pictures of the luger in question as requested. I look forward to hearing your opinions.

Thank you,
Ricardo

The pistol has been refinished IMHO, but nicely done. Some areas, like the side plate and takedown lever received heavier buffing than places like the toggle and upper receiver. For me a Weimar era reissue is less desirable than a straight WW1, but if you are interested in the Weimar era that might not be so for you.
While this may be a period redo, the main point is; what are they asking for the pistol?
If the price is fair in my mind, I wouldn't hesitate to buy this gun.

Dwm reissue
 

What would be the things that I should look for which indicate a period refinish and what would be a fair price range for a sample like this? Are there any stamps in particular that I should look for that might indicate provenance? At first look I didn't see anything obvious such as unit ID.

Thank you,
Ricardo

The numbers and rounded edges on the side plate are the big indicators here. Also the numbers on the takedown lever MAY be a bit faint (buffed). The straw coloring is extremely nice, suspiciously nice, actually.
We would like to see good close-ups of the lower numbers, barrel and front of frame, for exam. for "halos".
As for value, it is worth exactly what someone with money will pay for it, no more and no less. If I had to venture a guess, I can only say that I'd not want to be in at much over $1200, and probably closer to $1000.
I see the property stamp of 1920 as clouding a gun's pedigree, not necessarily inhancing it. I'd pay more for a pure WW1 gun than a double stamp.
But these are just my opinions.
dju

I agree with the info concerning a refinish, but also a nice refinish. To me, the strawing is perfect, maybe better than when new. It could be the way it was photographed also. That strawing is the first item that caught my attention.