[Ron Wood]

Norm's and Ed’s admonitions are well taken. There is no sure-fire way to determine real from fake Death Head Lugers. You have to proceed with the assumption that they are all fake and then back off from there. To be even considered, the gun must be of WWI military vintage, either DWM (most known examples) or Erfurt dated between 1912 and 1918 (from observed examples). Secondly, you can’t pay an exorbitant amount for a piece that probably never in our lifetime is positively verified as authentic. I bought mine dirt cheap (about $100 for the gun, a dagger and a bunch of German medals and insignia) 44 years ago when such an animal was barely known. A number of years later I had it “authenticated” by a gentleman that had spent several years studying the origin and characteristics of DH Lugers. Since then, even he has changed his mind a few times about these guns, so all bets are off. I still think mine is OK, but who knows?
At a minimum, post photos here on the forum and stand back for responses…they will be all over the spectrum and you will have to pick and choose what you believe. The bottom line is, if you have some confidence in the answers that are posted, in the seller that he is not a snake oil salesman and that the price is within your comfort zone for gambling, give it a shot and enjoy what you get.