Commercial SN ?
 

Hello All,

Ok, I'm confused. I've read in posts that commercial lugers were sn'd in numerical order meaning 1 - last one manufactured. As opposed to military which used the 1-10000 with alpha code sn's. So why do all these commercial lugers (including my new one)have military style 1-10000 alpha codes? Granted I can understand ex military reworks that were remarked for export. Using mine as an example. The lower receiver is mostly matching with military sn's. The upper receiver is matched barrel with rear toggle sn. It looks as if a date was arsenally ground off of the top of the receiver, I can't tell if it had a military sn on the side, and its marked DMW and has the "Germany" mark. Also the barrel, toggle and receiver side are nitro n marked. I know this question is a bit disorganized, but bear with me. Lastly, if I follow the reasoning that my luger is a remarked military left over, then how did they rechamber it to 7.65? Wouldn't it have originally been 9mm? Thanks for any info.
Brian

Brian,
Commercial Lugers were serial numbered in numerical order until about the 92000 range around 1921. At that point, commercial serial numbering went to the letter suffix style. Your Luger is what is alternately referred to as a "1920 Commercial" (now considered incorrect since manufacture was sometime during or after 1921) or "Weimar Alphabet Serial Number DWM Commercial". It was manufactured from a military weapon with the possible addition of some surplus and/or new parts. It was rebarreled to 7.65mm to comply with the Treaty of Versailles which restricted pistols for civilian use to 7.65mm and a barrel length less than 100mm. You are correct that your Luger was originally a 9mm.

Ron, thanks for that info.

Brian, I'm going to show my lack of knowledge right here. What is that picture of, your avitar, logo, whatever? I thought I had seen quite a few byf 42's but I haven't seen them together like that, also what is the 'proof' mark above them.

Herb,

My guess is it's from a rifle (k98), not a Luger.

Thanks Tracy, peering at that thing thru my bifocals I thought that it was the chamber of a Luger. I guess I had better listen to the wife and get new glasses, had these for about 8-9 years now. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

Hello All,

Ron, thanks for the info. Excellent answer and will go in my knowledge base on my luger. Herb, yes, it is a byf 42 k98. I'll have to change my avitar to my luger receiver. Its not you bifocals, its my poor cheap digital camera. :)

Brian