Glad to to be member of a reputable forum!
I bought my first and only Luger from a mom and pop gun and odd/end store about 13 years ago. I have tried to to ID it in the past but have never been able to nail down the exact history. I spoke to Ralph Shattuck when I bought it and recommended/sold me "Lugers at Random" which all my knowledge about this pistol comes from. Ralph was a VERY NICE man...heard I was Active Duty and thanked me for my service and gave me a free 1st edition of his book. I was very sad to hear of his passing
Here is what I know and explain from the attached picture.
-The pistol is a DWM Luger with all matching serial number (6251) sans the mag.
-Based on a proof on the right-side of the receiver, it passed the Erfuhrt at some point.
-Based on the Waffen Amt eagle and the eagle 63 it was a military Mauser Pistol as well.
-There are two Nitro marks (N with crown) which Lugers at Random tells me it is a commercial production after 1920- I found two marks on the receiver and on the extractor.
-S/42 is marked on the bottom of the barrel, along with "8, 82," no idea what that means
-There is a seagull type proof on the front trigger guard - no clue what that means.
-No markings on the fron/back straps; there is an appendage of sorts on the back strap that looks like it would attach to a broom handle stock.
I would like to any.all information about this pistol to include what service it might have belonged to.
I WILL NEVER sell this pistol; my kids and grandkids will inherit this, but am curious as to the value.
Thanks!
Roger