Your gun has serial number "1815a". The "a" (which is in cursive script on the front part of the frame and trigger guard strap) is part of the serial number.
If all the small parts that have numbers have a "15", and the barrel and right side of the receiver are marked "1815" the parts should be original to the gun, and all matching.
If you remove the grips to check inside the gun, be very careful when removing them - particularly the left side. Remove the screw, and use a finger inside the magazine well to just slightly lift the grip, then slide it away from the top of the frame. Your left grip is already chipped (called the "million dollar chip" since so many guns lost value due to it breaking).
The crown over gothic "Fraktur" letters are inspection stamps added as the gun passed a series of inspections and pressure proofing. They are what you'd expect on a 1917 DWM (Deutsche Waffenfabrike und Munitionen - "German Weapon Fabrication and Munitions") the company that manufactured your gun in 1917. This was the Imperial era when the Kaiser ruled Germany.
Sometimes flash photographs change the appearance of the finish quite a bit. I'm no expert, but expect that your gun was refinished. I have a couple of refinished guns, and (while not as interesting to collectors) I really like them.
So, if you decide to fire your Luger, take the time to find a 9mm load that is not one of the high pressure loads commonly sold today. The Lugers were engineered before our era, and the high pressure loads are more likely to break them.
Others have said that the common white box Winchester 9mm 115gn you can find at WalMart is a good choice. I reload my own with about 11% less powder than the maximum recommended.
That said, it's fun to shoot a Luger. You'll get all kinds of attention at most ranges too!!!
Marc
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