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Ron Smith · 08-30-2009, 10:16 AM

Welcome to the forum.

The markings are acceptance and inspector's proofs commonly found on Imperial (WWI) Lugers.

Your Luger was made in 1918. After the war a mandate was passed that all military equipment be stamped with a Gov't Property mark to prevent theft. The mark was the year of the mandate, "1920". Some armorer's mis-translated the order and marked them instead with the year that they applied the mark. Many and most are correctly marked "1920", but some are found marked "1921". I recall hearing of examples being marked "1922", but it isn't common.

Many more detailed photos would be required, top, full views of both sides, front and rear grip straps, etc. before anyone can offer a value. Unfortunately the rust pitting is going to effect the value greatly.

Ron

08-30-2009, 10:16 AM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Welcome to the forum. The markings are acceptance and inspector's proofs commonly found on Imperial (WWI) Lugers. Your Luger was made in 1918. After the war a mandate was passed that all military equipment be stamped with a Gov't Property mark to prevent theft. The mark was the year of the mandate, "1920". Some armorer's mis-translated the order and marked them instead with the year that they applied the mark. Many and most are correctly marked "1920", but some are found marked "1921". I recall hearing of examples being marked "1922", but it isn't common. Many more detailed photos would be required, top, full views of both sides, front and rear grip straps, etc. before anyone can offer a value. Unfortunately the rust pitting is going to effect the value greatly. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...