New Member- One Luger
 

Hi Group,
I have inhereted a 1917 DWM with a family history.

As the story goes, Dad 'liberated' it from a tidal pool on the coast of France as a sailor in WWII. I belive he said he made the current grips himself.

From what I have read on the forum, it looks like the breech block, firing pin,extractor, and toggle were not part of the original, they are all stamped (12). Perhaps this entire assembly was replaced as a unit from some armory repair? The left side plate and sear bar? are stamped (79).

I have not been able to find any markings on the clip anywhere. The bottom may be homemade as well, I don't know.

It is a 4" bbl, stamped 3185 C. I haven't read anything on the significance of the letter suffix in the forum. The gal at the sheriff department dropped the c when transferring from the original registration card. Should I have this corrected?

Any comments group?
Thanks,

Fritz.

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Fritzer_Luger_top.jpg

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Fr...Luger_Left.jpg

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Fr...uger_Right.jpg <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

Fritzer,

For a gun that was rescued from a tidal pool, that is a pretty sharp looking Luger. It is a total mismatch, all the parts have been put together from who knows what. But, that doesn't matter if it is the way your Dad found it.

The letter suffix "c" is part of the serial number, but the "control" serial number is found on the forward part of the frame under the barrel. If it is the same as the barrel, then you should have the gal at the sheriff's department add the "c" to the serial number. If it is different, then you should have her change it to the number on the frame.

You have a great family heirloom. For what it is worth, I would rather have a gun that was brought back by my Dad than a brand spanking new condition 1917 Luger. Treasure it and pass it on to your heirs. By the way, your Dad did a great job on those grips, the fit is perfect.

I don't mean to be nosy, but what exactly were you doing about your Luger at the sheriff's office? Just curious.

That is part of the purchase process here in Michigan. Within 10 days you present the handgun for a 'safety' inspection at the local law enforcement department. In my case the sheriff dept, I'm in a rural area.
The clerk verifies the mfr, model, bbl length, and serial number. They then issue a wallet sized safety certification card. No uniformed officer has ever looked at any handguns that I have transfered. I'm not sure who's 'safety' they are certify'in?

Regards,
Fritz.

Let me get this straight. Your Dad's gun has been lying around the house for 57 years has just passed into your hands. You are now required to troop down to the sheriff's office and let them paw over this treasured heirloom for a "safety examination" so that you can keep this pistol which they never even knew you had, nor how long it was in your possession. I don't get it. Even here in Kalifornia I don't think you would have to go through such a silly procedure.

Well, Yeah.
The burden is on the buyer. You may not posess a handgun that is not yours. To complete the transfer of ownership, the above 'safety' inspection must take place within 10 days.

For the past 56 years it was in his posession, and belonged to him. You cannot borrow or loan a handgun in Mighigan. Any pistol you have must be yours, or it considered one of those nasty firearms law violations with stiff penalties, etc.

Any fellow Michiganders want to chime in?

Fritz.

PS,

I have other questions related to this Luger.
Which one of the "regular" forums does this example belong to?

Fritz.

"All P-08 Military Lugers"

So do I gather that sometime in the last 56 years your dad and a few million other Michiganders meekly took their WWII trophies to the Sheriff so that they could be tested and registered? I find all this hard to believe. Please tell me it isn't so.

Yes again. Just once in 194x.
I am holding the original 'safety inspection certificate' issued by the Detroit police department, but the date section of the card has been obliterated by wallet wear.

The safety part of the inspection IS the joke. No attempt to deterine functionality or suitability for use is made - nor are they qualified to do so. My belief is that they verify that the serial hasn't been ground off, modified, or mis-represented, and that it is what the purchase permit stated. In fact it would appear that they are barely qualified to determine the manufacturer and model, based on my visits.

I'll bet they take your money, though...

--Dwight