Tim,
Welcome to the forum!
The "q" suffix is quite appropriate. It indicates this pistol was one of 9,999 with that suffix manufactured by DWM in 1927 or early 1928. Your serial number suggests about mid-1927. These were nominally commercial pistols (no chamber date) but most with this suffix were purchased by the German police.
The marking on the grip strap indicates the pistol was weapon number
72 of the
Revierpolizei (precinct police) of Command
VII of the
Schupzpolizei (Protection Police) in the Prussian administrative district of
D�¼sseldorf. Command VII was one or more cities within the industrialized Ruhr region in The Rhineland. I have been researching German police markings and have a database of over 1200 of them. Counting yours, it has only two Lugers from this Command.
For my database and research, I would appreciate knowing the following additional information (which may be in the forthcoming photos):
* Is the R in the marking crossed out?
* Does or did this pistol have a magazine safety? The following photo illustrates both the sear and magazine safeties.
