66mustang

Sid, I am sure you will get more detailed answers than these, however, my readings the serial number prefix is simply a continuation of the serial numbers. (This is miltary system)


For instance, in 1935, as they made the 1st Mauser Luger for the year, the true serial number of a Luger is, Mauser, 1935, 1. Mine was made in 1935, and would be Mauser, 1935, 7480 u.


So at the beginning of the year, it would be Mauser, 1935 (serial number) 1. And down through the numbers until it reached 9999, then it would be 1 a. Then through 9999 a, then 1 b and so on.


On Contract, the numbering system would simply be a continuation of the last numbers for that contract. I.E. Dutch 1, then serial number 2, and up to the contract of 5,000. Two years later, they request 2,000 more, the numbering system would start off at 5001 until it reached the 2,000 they ordered that time.


Commercial is pretty much a continuation, but I believe you will find wide varience on commercial numbering.


I would imagine there is a huge amount of numbers and remember, that DWM might have a DWM, 1935, 7480 u. (If they had made Lugers in 1935). In other words, there are mixtures of many numbers. If I was a collector, I would want a serial number of 1001 a compared to 1001 u, but with the variables of condition (condition), condition, , I think it matters but to each type of collector. Someone born in 1935 might want one and consider it more valuable than a 1940. or as the war progressed quality might be considered to have gone down...


All in the eye of the beholder and in significant events. I would like to get a 1936, because the Olympics were that year in Berlin.


Ed