Help with markings on barrel
 

Wonder is someone can help me...I have a Luger 1920 and on the underside of the barrel are the following markings:

CIA ST ALB VT
9MM GER

Any help would be much appreciated. It's an American Historical Foundation WW2 Luger with display box.

Ken

It is the marking of the importer into the US.
Century International Arms
St albans
Vermont
9mm Germany(country of origin)

Ken, welcome to the forum.

"1920" is generally a property ownership mark that refers to a WW-I Luger that was taken into Weimar government ownership after WW-I. It is sometimes (and quite rarely) an actual production date.

Most of these "presentation" Lugers were refinished, which unfortunately destroys collector value and interest. Photos would help confirm that.

Since it was made before WW-II, it certainly could have been used in the Second World War, but we generally consider WW-II Lugers to have been made in that period or just before it in the 1930's.

Does the center toggle indicate DWM made the Luger?

You may enjoy a copy of our free FAQ document. It has quite a bit of reference material. Just follow the forum's FAQ link.

Marc

Buying your first luger should be fun. Unfortunately you ended up with an abused example that had its history pretty much destroyed.

Sorry for your loss. At least it came with a casket it can be buried in.