1918 dwm questions
 

My father recently showed me his luger and wanted more info about it and value I looked on the this site it is dated 1918 and have proof mark #15 from this forums proof page the the serial number is 2752 with no suffixs and all the numbers I found on it match including one of the magazines the finish on the luger is almost perfect thanks for any help you guys can offer

hello and welcome to the forum. take a breath and we'll figure it out ;)

I am not sure which one is #15 but more important is, if it matches internally and what markings are on the matching mag. Number only? Number and a 1 or 2 below it or a + ?

Photos would help much

Ed

Here are the pictures I have

Another

Another1

Last 1

It appears reblued in the first picture, the rest do not? It is for sure, a 1918 Army DWM that went into police service (has what is called a sear safety on the sideplate) - it is possible it was 'refinished' by them - but we'd need more pictures to see if even if it is reblued.

Value is determined by a lot of things - if reblued, than a 'shooter' price of $600-$800

If not reblued than with matching mag, than about $1300-$1800 - extra mag is about $100 extra or so

How can you tell if it was reblued I do not have any more good pictures and my father lives 10 hours away and his camera does not even come close to a quality photo he has 2 other mags with it but no numbers on those thanks a lot for your help

It was definitely reblued when put into police service. The "1918" has lost its crisp edges and the blue is not a rust blue. The sear safety rivet and toggle retaining pin even look blued. Given the norms of the time, strawed parts were kept strawed.

Look at the under-barrel serial numbers and see if there are "halos" around them. If they have halos, I might have to amend my opinion, but based on the images, I say reblue.

The magazine numbers also appear forced, (again for police service) and look like they were stamped over previous numbers.

Given the police service context, I don't find these changes as devastating to value as others might. They are historic changes that have a legitimate history and reasoning behind them.

I agree with Alan - it is reblued.
Mag is force matched. If it is a police restamp mag, where is the 1 or 2 (or 3)?

Are there any strawed parts still on it? Right side of take down lever looks blued.

Yes, totally agree that the luger is a re-blue job.

As far as value, my thoughts are that a re-blued luger has some value; but, the value is derived from that fact that it is a luger not, that it is a collectible luger.

I would put its value below $1000.00. How far below depends on the locale and the buyer.

Geo99, how can you tell it is a forced matched mag? What is the give away out?

Richard

The magazine would have a "1" "2" "3" stamped below the serial number if the mag were original on a police issue weapon to indicate if it was the primary, or spare magazine. This mag has no such marking.

Pony:
Is there a suffix letter beneath the full serial number on the front of the frame?
dju