New acquisition!!! 1911 DWM
 

I am new here. Just acquired my first Luger. It's a 1911 DWM. All matching, good finish, holster wear here and there. Straw still there but faded. Serial 54XX, with either a script capital "L" or small "e". No bolt hold open, not cut for stock, and has a loop on the back of the frame for a landyard. Mag is wood bottom, numbered 4759, with the same " L" or "e". Also have an aluminum bottom mag numbered 6010 " i", a stamp that appears to be an eagle over the number 83. Unit marking is " B.3.T.S.1.16.". Would appreciate any info, and maybe a ballpark value.

it sounds like a very nice gun however photos are needed before we can venture an estimate of value.
Dju

It is most likely a small "e". Both "e" and "l" suffix Lugers were produced in 1911, but the "l" was not capitalized. I'm sure everyone would like to see some photos of your new piece.

Okay, dju beat me to the photo comment, but coming back to edit gives me a chance to welcome you aboard. It's a good source of information.

Bayerische Train Batallion 3,Sanitaets Compagnie 1, Waffe 16. It's a pistol issued to a Bavarian medic.

Sorry for the low quality pics. Had to use my phone.

Barrel

This is a beautiful gun!

For your first Luger, I think that you started out with a real winner....Congrats!!

OK, Gents, let's hear your thoughts on value.
I'm guestimating, with that spare magazine, from $1500 to $1750 as a realistic sales price, but then I have a soft spot for those early DWM's. What do the rest of you think?
dju

I would say $1700-$1800 assuming it's all matching.
But that's really a wild guess because the pics posted have not shown the whole gun.

Love the wood bottom mag - it's probably worth a couple hundred by itself, if the metal is in really good shape.

Best I can get. Thanks for all the info.

The early wood bottom mag alone is worth a bunch.

Nyghtfall,

That's an awesome way to start any Luger collection, good find! I also have a Bavarian DWM 1911 without the hold-open.

Merry Christmas to you and all members on this board!

Balder

I really appreciate all the great info. This is going to become my favorite website!!! Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

I would agree with the estimates, but ensure it is all matching as it should be.

Has a hold open been added?

The early wood mag, as Herman said is worth a decent amount if in nice shape (maybe $200 or more, depending on condition).

Welcome to the forum!

Ed

No bolt hold open. I have not taken the grips off to see if they are numbered, but everything else matches. Is it OK to clean the grips? I have seen posts on how to do it.

Welcome to our LUGER forum, and congratulations on your first Luger, it's quite a good start.

Sergio

Cleaning the grips must be done very carefully, particularly taking off the left panel so as not to chip away wood from behind the safety. Sort of lift it out at the bottom just enough to clear the frame, then rotate the bottom so that the top slips out of the grove, but never force it.
I use a soft toothbrush and some mineral spirits or paint thinner. If hey are dry and I want to freshen them up a bit I'll add a few drops of boiled lindseed oil to the mineral spirits, but be advised that this is a personal choice and that some of the more advanced collectors recommend doing nothing.
dju

Yes, unfortunately it already has the chip under the safety.

FYI we do have a member or 2 here who specializes in restoring Luger grips and they can "fill" that million dollar chip so that you can't tell. Again a personal thing...
dju