Magazine Question
 

In conversation with long-time Luger collector Don Rousseau I learned that "early" Luger magazines tubes were given a brushed-metal surface (see my 1900 American Eagle report).

Since then, I have examined my Luger magazines and discovered that most of the nickel-tube mags are brushed. I don't know their origin, they came mismatched with various guns I have acquired. The bases are unmarked or have a number of different markings, and some of their bases are not original to the tubes.

Can anyone tell me the period of time Luger magazines were brushed metal, or what variations of guns they came with?

--Dwight

Hi Dwight,

The 1904 drawings simply state 'Steel, Nickelplated' (Stahl, Vernickelt).

So my best guess is that the brushing went out with the introduction of the 1904-model.

In my experience, the early plated DWM mag tube, prior to about 1916 or 17 when they changed to tin plating, will have a coating (cabnium?) that oxidizes to a yellow tint with age. TH