Strange Luger to me please educate me.
 

Is this a Frankenstein build?http://www.gunsinternational.com/gun...n_id=100725207

Why is is strange to you? I may be missing something obvious.

It is a blank toggle '29 commercial DWM luger, with police modifications; there are many known.
I don't see a picture of the frame serial, so I don't know if it is matching or not; nor can I read the number on the alum. base mag.
Nothing mentioned on the holster, except it has one.

This variation shown in both police luger books, and several posted here- just search for "blank toggle" or "Rif luger".

I guess it is just strange to me because I am unfamiliar with Police markings. Neat piece

Thanks for the education Don.

Maybe because it's listed as a Mauser Luger "Manufacture Date: ca.1932 "??? :rolleyes:

But is it worth $1895??? :confused:

police - sear safety and mgazine safety. do search on forum for more infos on these changes

I knew the sear and magazine safety are police modifications. I was baffled by the chamber markings and lack of toggle markings.

I'm baffled by a Mauser made in 1932... :D

The tooling and gauges (along with DWM parts) were shipped from Berlin to Oberndorf in 1930. There is actually an inventory done documented by August Weiss.

For a period of time before producing the "K" date military Lugers, Oberndorf was assembling and finishing Lugers from old DWM parts. This is likely one of those, depending on the serial number (perhaps a "t" suffix)...

Hallock and van de Kand indicate that a few blank toggles were moved from Berlin to Oberndorf. The "u" suffix was populated by Mauser made guns like this. Most were in the "v" sn range. This gun was made well into the "u" serial number range. It's possible that this was part of the DWM "Riff: contract that the government prevented shipping. Those were reported in the "u" suffix block. An August Weiss document reports some blank toggles that were delivered to the German police. Hallock and van de Kant call this a "T-2" variation.

It's more likely that this was made in 1929 in Berlin by DWM instead of and just before moving to Oberndorf, but possible it was made from left over "Riff" parts in Oberndorf.

I can't make out the acceptance marks on the receiver.

Marc

I just explained what I believe it "is" , not commenting on the description; since what the OP asked for was education.
Marc further elucidated the possibilities, reaching the same conclusion.

Marc,
the "u" suffix is visible on the barrel and the same serial is on the frame front, but one can't see the suffix, but it likely matches the bbl.

Is it worth $1895? Maybe- depends on the holster(no description) and the buyer's opinion. It well could be, especially if the holster is numbered to the pistol, as one mag "could" match- but is not shown.
Of course, JMHO.

Sturgess & Gortz report that "In May 1930, all special machines, jigs, gauges, tables of dimensions, drawings and operations plans for the Parabellum pistol were transported by rail from Berlin to Oberndorf". They go on to say, after that letter you refer to, that "Mass production of the P08 for the Reichswehr (re-named Wehrmacht on 16 March 1935) with their own manufactured components did not commence at Mauser until 1934".

There were several reasons quoted for the delay, "lack of competance in all Parabellum matters, unfriendly acts bordering on sabotage, vital equipment damaged in transit because the Berlin-Wittinau dispatchers had failed to secure the machines properly on rail cars, or foremen and master-workmen in Berlin had 'secured' essential drawings and operating plans 'lest such papers might fall into enemies hands'".

I believe that explains what it "isn't". ;)