LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Magazine and pistol different serial numbers

Doubs · 01-14-2021, 03:48 PM

Thank you for the new pictures. Your Luger began life as a DWM manufactured Artillery Luger with an 8 inch barrel. The rear sight at it's lowest setting would have recessed into the notch on the front of the receiver. DWM only notched those Lugers that were to be made into Artillery models.

Following WW1, the barrel was replaced and so was the back toggle as the Artillery back toggle lacked a sight. Otherwise your Luger seems to be matching serial numbers. I don't see a suffix letter on the front of the frame but if there is one, it's part of the serial number. Record the following for your records: 1918 DWM, 4" barrel, serial number 5509 & suffix letter, 9mm. The reason is that in 1916 and 1917 there is likely a DWM Luger with the same serial number and suffix letter. Keep your pictures for even better identification.

Your Luger appears to have been captured by the Russians during WW2. The Russians had a habit of dip bluing captured pistols before selling them to importers. That's why yours looks refinished.

If it has a decent bore, you have a good shooter. There's no collector value but it's still worth a nice amount as a shooter.

01-14-2021, 03:48 PM	#7
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 819 Thanked 1,769 Times in 586 Posts	Thank you for the new pictures. Your Luger began life as a DWM manufactured Artillery Luger with an 8 inch barrel. The rear sight at it's lowest setting would have recessed into the notch on the front of the receiver. DWM only notched those Lugers that were to be made into Artillery models. Following WW1, the barrel was replaced and so was the back toggle as the Artillery back toggle lacked a sight. Otherwise your Luger seems to be matching serial numbers. I don't see a suffix letter on the front of the frame but if there is one, it's part of the serial number. Record the following for your records: 1918 DWM, 4" barrel, serial number 5509 & suffix letter, 9mm. The reason is that in 1916 and 1917 there is likely a DWM Luger with the same serial number and suffix letter. Keep your pictures for even better identification. Your Luger appears to have been captured by the Russians during WW2. The Russians had a habit of dip bluing captured pistols before selling them to importers. That's why yours looks refinished. If it has a decent bore, you have a good shooter. There's no collector value but it's still worth a nice amount as a shooter.