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Doubs · 10-04-2002, 01:18 AM

Thanks, G.W. - I have the Walter book but didn't look in it.

Mark, the "1920" stamp indicates that the pistol belonged to the Weimar Republic. So many military guns were in the hands of returning soldiers who didn't turn them in that the Republic ordered the stamping of military guns with the property stamp "1920". That immediately identified them as government property.

I can't make out the stamp on the holster but it appears to be original and if you know it's been in the family for many years, that helps to peg it as original. A good examination by a qualified collector could give you more positive information.

Some collectors believe that Erfurt stamped their Luger tools with the crown/gothic letter while DWM did not. I also believe that to be the case and your Luger tool is correct for the pistol IMO.

The DWM toggles may (and I'm guessing here) have been installed before the police obtained the gun for issue. It would explain the matching numbers unless someone later simply found DWM toggles that serially matched and installed them. There's really no sure way to know.

You haven't mentioned the serial number but if there is a lower case script letter on the frame under the numbers, it's part of the serial number. e.g., "1234a". You should record the serial number and suffix letter (if any), the DWM toggle marking, the dates on the chamber and barrel length. That should identify your pistol specifically. Also, pictures of the whole gun are a good idea.

You have an interesting gun even if it's only a shooter and without much collector value. It obviously has some history behind it which gives it character and makes it interesting.

10-04-2002, 01:18 AM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,787 Times in 590 Posts	Thanks, G.W. - I have the Walter book but didn't look in it. Mark, the "1920" stamp indicates that the pistol belonged to the Weimar Republic. So many military guns were in the hands of returning soldiers who didn't turn them in that the Republic ordered the stamping of military guns with the property stamp "1920". That immediately identified them as government property. I can't make out the stamp on the holster but it appears to be original and if you know it's been in the family for many years, that helps to peg it as original. A good examination by a qualified collector could give you more positive information. Some collectors believe that Erfurt stamped their Luger tools with the crown/gothic letter while DWM did not. I also believe that to be the case and your Luger tool is correct for the pistol IMO. The DWM toggles may (and I'm guessing here) have been installed before the police obtained the gun for issue. It would explain the matching numbers unless someone later simply found DWM toggles that serially matched and installed them. There's really no sure way to know. You haven't mentioned the serial number but if there is a lower case script letter on the frame under the numbers, it's part of the serial number. e.g., "1234a". You should record the serial number and suffix letter (if any), the DWM toggle marking, the dates on the chamber and barrel length. That should identify your pistol specifically. Also, pictures of the whole gun are a good idea. You have an interesting gun even if it's only a shooter and without much collector value. It obviously has some history behind it which gives it character and makes it interesting.