DWM ID/vintage/value?
 

Came across this DWM with script "a" suffix. All serial numbers match. Has matching magazine. Someone had their name engraved on the grip at some time (I'm sure this is a famous German officer :roflmao:).

Can anyone tell me more about this Luger? Year of manufacture and possible value? Any info on the holster?

http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3377
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3378
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3379
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3380
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3381
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3382
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3383
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3384
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3385
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3386
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3387
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3388
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3389
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3390

Hi John, Welcome to the forum! You have a rather rare and collectible "DWM 1st Issue", made in 1909. It's too bad about that added name because it seriously detracts from what would otherwise have been a valuable gun, particularly with that matching magazine!
Regards, Norm

Welcome, nice piece.
But could you please just use the picture host of the forum?

Your pictures are too small and when expanded are "squished"; and they will likely eventually disappear.

Do some looking at these two sites for high retail values:
Simpsons
Legacy

just put them in your search engine

This looks like a candidate for a bit of restoration on the frame.

Fixed the pics. Been a very long time since I used forum discussion boards!

Nice gun, as-is. Leave it alone.

A Ist issue with a matching mag is rare. In the condition it is in I would at least check with Thor about fixing the grip. I am not much on restorations but this one I might have the grip only worked on. The holster is a WW1 German military holster. This I would send to Jerry Burney (lugerholsterrepair) for some work on the belt loops etc. Is there a manufacturer and or date inside the lid? Very nice luger. Bill

I don't think I would remove the F. Brahe. but I think I would get that spot rust blued. Depending on several things..as far as value goes..I might be very happy to pay $1500. Condition is a factor here. I bought one of these a year ago..no matching mag and I paid $2800 but it's almost original mint. Easy 98% if not better pistol. Matching mag adds a lot but the F. Brahe. detracts a lot. With that evening out..scratches and loss of straw I think $1500 would be a comfortable figure if you are trying to buy it.
The holster could be improved upon with belt loops...There is a broken magazine in the mag pouch..what does it look like?

Excellent pistol, I would not do anything to it. It seems that the name F. Brahe. was put in place after a unit mark was removed. There is no record of an officer with that name in the Prussian Army in 1914. The pistol has a hold-open added so it was not issued to a Bavarian or Wurttemberg unit. The name may appear in a post war listing or with German Graves Registration. I will look later on.

It's interesting that the font of the name is similar to the font we see used for unit markings. Coincidence? I think not...

Wow! I thought that provenance was a large part of collectible interest. It appears to me that some suggestions were to do away with part of that on this Luger???
Just my 3 Deutsche Marks
Thanks
Jack

I don't see that said, only that it could be spot re-finished to replace the finish someone stupidly removed.:(

Spot rust blue can be done.

I agree that the name looks as done by period stamping.

I'd leave it alone, and ponder the spot touch up depending on how it looked when in my hands.

I don't see that said, only that it could be spot re-finished to replace the finish someone stupidly removed.:( But a name is not "provenance" unless connected to or supported by some other information, IMO.

Spot rust blue can be done.

I agree that the name looks as done by period stamping.

I'd leave it alone, and ponder the spot touch up depending on how it looked when in my hands.

There's provenance and then there's damage you may want to consider fixing. Spot replacing the rust blue that's missing is certainly one consideration. If it were mine I think I would do it. Nice and rare pistol..deserves to be fixed..but that's just me.

Like Bill..I don't like buffed and re blued guns. But I have had Charles Danner spot rust blue a couple of bad places over the years and you can't tell it's been done. If you can fix an ugly spot and can't tell..like I say, it's worth considering.

In my opinon vintage LUGERS should NEVER be refinished or modified because it ruins any value they had as a collectible firearm, then to each his own.
IMHO

The top of the belt loops seem to have been broke and someone just stitched them back on without the turned over portion. I cannot discern any markings inside the holster flap. There are no other markings on the outside of the holster.

Here's a pic of the magazine in the holster: http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=3391

Serial numbers do not match the pistol.

Sometimes there is maker and year info. embossed (stamped) into the leather on the inside or outside that is very difficult to see.
dju

I can redo the grip strap with rust bluing. Nice Luger otherwise

hi,
What is the mark at barrel? Never seen that before..