LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Help ID-ing an early luger

Dwight Gruber · 09-27-2004, 02:21 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by bishop333:
...(in my opinion) the Rear Toggle has the adjustable sights as part of its build. And this Toggle does match (#52) all the other parts of this Luger. So what Early luger was built with a Rear adjustable sight?

And I hear you on the barrel. It might be a "re-barrel". Did the early models have the match number on the barrel as well?

I could not stand it, I checked the bore and action, went to the local range and fired this beauty! Oh man, what a rush. This guy is very accurate and easy to shoot.<hr /></blockquote>Bishop 333,

A -very- unique Luger conversion. Be assured that, as cunningly as the rear sight may be attached to the rear toggle piece, that it is purely an attachment--no 1900 model Luger was manufactured with such a sight. If you look carefully there is a manufacturer or model engraved into it. It is not quite readable in your very excellent photographs, it would be interesting to know what it says.

Regarding the barrel, it is a "modern" replacement as well. The 9mm Parabellum cartridge did not exist in the era which the serial# on your Luger represents. And yes, original barrels were numbered to the gun.

If you are going to continue shooting this gun (a worthwhile endeavour, to be sure!), I recommend that you find the lowest-power 9mm ammunition which will operate the action reliably--if you handload, it might be worthwhile working up a custom load for it. Model 1900 Lugers were not designed for this powerful a cartridge. You have noted the leaf-type recoil spring, after 100+ years these grow very weak and some say they are prone to breakage. They are very nearly impossible to replace. I'm sure that your standard 9mm rounds are causing the rear toggle stop to really pound against the rear frame, and there is a very real possibility of toggle or frame breakage.

This is a very interesting gun to me particularly, as I am surveying early Commercial Lugers. If you could answer a few questions, or post some particular pictures, I'd appreciate it.

Do I see accurately that the top of the chamber is blank? Are there crown-overB and crown-over-U marks on the left receiver and the left breechblock? Could you post a photo of the thumb safety and the rear grip strap/grip safety? Where is the serial number on the takedown lever located?

Does the magazine body appear to have a "brushed" finish? What--if any--markings are on the magazine base?

Thanks in advance for the extra info. A neat gun.

--Dwight

09-27-2004, 02:21 AM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by bishop333: <strong>...(in my opinion) the Rear Toggle has the adjustable sights as part of its build. And this Toggle does match (#52) all the other parts of this Luger. So what Early luger was built with a Rear adjustable sight? And I hear you on the barrel. It might be a "re-barrel". Did the early models have the match number on the barrel as well? I could not stand it, I checked the bore and action, went to the local range and fired this beauty! Oh man, what a rush. This guy is very accurate and easy to shoot.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Bishop 333, A -very- unique Luger conversion. Be assured that, as cunningly as the rear sight may be attached to the rear toggle piece, that it is purely an attachment--no 1900 model Luger was manufactured with such a sight. If you look carefully there is a manufacturer or model engraved into it. It is not quite readable in your very excellent photographs, it would be interesting to know what it says. Regarding the barrel, it is a "modern" replacement as well. The 9mm Parabellum cartridge did not exist in the era which the serial# on your Luger represents. And yes, original barrels were numbered to the gun. If you are going to continue shooting this gun (a worthwhile endeavour, to be sure!), I recommend that you find the lowest-power 9mm ammunition which will operate the action reliably--if you handload, it might be worthwhile working up a custom load for it. Model 1900 Lugers were not designed for this powerful a cartridge. You have noted the leaf-type recoil spring, after 100+ years these grow very weak and some say they are prone to breakage. They are very nearly impossible to replace. I'm sure that your standard 9mm rounds are causing the rear toggle stop to really pound against the rear frame, and there is a very real possibility of toggle or frame breakage. This is a very interesting gun to me particularly, as I am surveying early Commercial Lugers. If you could answer a few questions, or post some particular pictures, I'd appreciate it. Do I see accurately that the top of the chamber is blank? Are there crown-overB and crown-over-U marks on the left receiver and the left breechblock? Could you post a photo of the thumb safety and the rear grip strap/grip safety? Where is the serial number on the takedown lever located? Does the magazine body appear to have a "brushed" finish? What--if any--markings are on the magazine base? Thanks in advance for the extra info. A neat gun. --Dwight