John,
There is another reason for not publishing the full serial number of a Luger which was brought about largely by dealers. Unscrupulous individuals upon learning the full serial number of a piece that was offered for sale on a dealer's list would purchase it and then return it before the 3-day inspection period had elapsed. But only after they had stripped off and replaced the all small parts that they needed to make one of their Lugers all matching. They ended up with a "matched" Luger and the dealer ended up with a parts gun.
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If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction
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