[John Sabato]

The "Little spring thing" is actually part of a safety device that was used on Lugers used by Police. Any sideplate can be modified to use the pistol as is. It is always better to modify a replaceable part than to modify a pistol...

Check with our member DZ who frequently posts about sideplates for sale or trade. I am sure he may have a Police sideplate that would pop right on, If not DZ, then try LugerDoc (Tom Heller).

I would put some effort into searching the home where your grandfather lived for the original sideplate. Sometimes VETS removed the sideplate to make the weapon "safer" if there were children in the home... He probably put it in a "safe" place... If you find the original sideplate, and it is numbered to the gun... then your Luger will be all-matching numbers, and be collectible, not just a shooter...