This is an interesting gun on its own. It appears to have been "made up" by the Deutsche Volkspolizei (East German Police) of parts from a number of different Lugers--an Erfurt sideplate, Mauser center toggle, DWM or Mauser frame (it is difficult to tell).
The eagle/crown/U on the left frame and receiver are inspection marks from the E. German State Proof House at Suhl, indicating that intensive modification to the gun (possibly the build-up) has been inspected and passed. The crown/N on the barrel and center toggle certify that the gun has passed power-proof in this configuration. It would be useful to know if the breechblock and rear toggle have the c/N stamp as well. The barrel, having the c/N proof and no other marks, is an East German replacement.
A rework done under thet auspices of the DVP would have a Police inspector's mark of a shield with a letter, surrounded by a starburst. These were often obliterated before export to U.S. dealers as surplus, to disguise the country of origin. If this gun does not have the mark, this suggests that the rebuild was performed before the gun went into DVP service.
The machining marks on the receiver extension rails make me want to see clear, detailed pictures of the receiver and rails--actually, the entire rest of the gun.
While DVP guns are not conventionally considered highly collectible, they do have their own place in Luger history and this is a particularly interesting example. There is no established market for a gun like this, and its value (other than as a shooting commodity) is only going to be determined by what some interested collector will pay for it when the owner needs/wants to sell.
--Dwight
|