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-   -   1919 Dated (https://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=36854)

Mark1 03-22-2017 05:30 PM

1919 Dated
 
5 Attachment(s)
I was sent these photos years ago by a local dealer looking to sell the gun. The story was that the gun was made in the Khyber Pass region near the Afghan-Pakistan border by the legendary arms cottage industry based there. Although I don't know that this was ever confirmed.
Some time later I was able to examine it in hand and it was clearly a working pistol that had seen plenty of use. No part of the gun appeared to be original Luger and it showed all the signs of having been made entirely with very limited machinery and basic hand tools.
The pistol was sold to a local collector and it was auctioned again just a couple of years ago, so I imagine it's still in NZ.
Sure, an example of a fake, but also of the work of someone with real skills.

lugerholsterrepair 03-22-2017 09:11 PM

A fascinating example! I bet even more so on the inside taken apart!

Mark1 03-22-2017 11:45 PM

Jerry,
I didn't get to take it apart, there always seemed to be a crowd of curious people looking at shows. If it surfaces again I'll certainly make the effort to look inside and take some more photos.
Mark

Edward Tinker 03-23-2017 08:55 AM

I like it - a dealer I knew once had a working 38 spl homemade luger - I should have bought it, but it was just a bit above what I could scrape up at the time...

rhuff 03-23-2017 02:25 PM

That is awesome!! I can't imagine how long it took to produce this weapon. There are definitely some skilled folks out there. Thanx for the photos.

DonVoigt 03-23-2017 04:08 PM

Mark,
I don't think that is a "fake" as it would not deceive any one , but it is a "reproduction".
And impressive work at that, though it ain't "pretty".

John Sabato 03-24-2017 09:39 AM

Simply amazing hand work to produce this "reproduction"... Did you notice that the magazine bottom knobs are not centered on the grip? Truly a one-off example. Even though it is not "pretty" I am impressed. I would love to see photos of the magazine...

I also noticed that the bore looks larger than 9MM... Do you suppose it could be a .45 ACP caliber? Or maybe even .455 Webley?

sheepherder 03-24-2017 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sabato (Post 300643)
Did you notice that the magazine bottom knobs are not centered on the grip? Truly a one-off example.

The 'arc' of the safety lever is shorter than a P08/M1900 too. :)

DavidJayUden 03-24-2017 11:52 AM

Almost looks like the barrel points down a bit in relation to the lower grip frame rails. Also, does the serial number suggest that there are 2823 others?
dju

John Sabato 03-24-2017 12:35 PM

The serial number was probably copied from the "model" gun used for dimensions... or a favorite number of the buyer... or the machinist...

ithacaartist 03-24-2017 12:43 PM

Then whoever did the copying copied a mismatched gun, the side plate and safety bar don't match the frame!

spacecoast 03-24-2017 03:55 PM

What, no proof marks or import stamp?

The whole thing has a mildly 'warped' appearance.

Mark1 03-24-2017 05:37 PM

I think the slight curvature mentioned is just camera lens distortion, the pistol appeared quite straight when I held it.
I looked down the bore and it was rifled, although fairly worn, and I assumed it was 9mm.
I do remember that there was no hold-open.
Tried a genuine Luger magazine and it fitted quite well but would not lock in place due to misaligned bottom knobs as John noted above.
The thing that amused everyone who saw it was, why choose 1919 as the chamber date ?
It's not very clear in the photos but the toggle link has a fair attempt at the DWM emblem engraved on top. My impression was that the engraving was fading due to refinishing !
Mark

DonVoigt 03-24-2017 06:17 PM

"The thing that amused everyone who saw it was, why choose 1919 as the chamber date ?"

Perhaps that is when it was made? :)


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