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Doubs · 12-19-2003, 01:07 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Lugerdoc:
Probably actually made around 1921 after the 5 digit commericals reached the 100K range, and DWM switch to the military style of serialization for their commericals, starting in the "i" block Th<hr /></blockquote>According to Still's "Weimar Lugers", pg 30, it is thought that the change from 5-digit commercial serial numbers to the 4-digit with suffix letter commerial numbering took place at approximately 92,000 with the first such serial number being 2000i. That would logically pick up where the 5-digit numbers left off. (No suffix letter, a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h plus 2000 making up a total of 92000).

There is a footnote, however, that also states that it's "possible" that the commercial 5-digit numbers went as high as 100,000. If so, I don't recall ever seeing a commercial Luger in the 5-digit range above 92,000 and I tend to go with the change over at the 92,000 point. It's pointed out in the text that 1921 was a time of confusion and that some Lugers have been noted with serial numbers that tend to confuse the issue and make positive statements impossible. The one thing you make be sure of is that your "k" suffix letter Luger is early in the production of the 1920 commercial or "Alphabet" Luger.

12-19-2003, 01:07 AM	#6
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 819 Thanked 1,769 Times in 586 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Lugerdoc: <strong>Probably actually made around 1921 after the 5 digit commericals reached the 100K range, and DWM switch to the military style of serialization for their commericals, starting in the "i" block Th</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">According to Still's "Weimar Lugers", pg 30, it is thought that the change from 5-digit commercial serial numbers to the 4-digit with suffix letter commerial numbering took place at approximately 92,000 with the first such serial number being 2000i. That would logically pick up where the 5-digit numbers left off. (No suffix letter, a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h plus 2000 making up a total of 92000). There is a footnote, however, that also states that it's "possible" that the commercial 5-digit numbers went as high as 100,000. If so, I don't recall ever seeing a commercial Luger in the 5-digit range above 92,000 and I tend to go with the change over at the 92,000 point. It's pointed out in the text that 1921 was a time of confusion and that some Lugers have been noted with serial numbers that tend to confuse the issue and make positive statements impossible. The one thing you make be sure of is that your "k" suffix letter Luger is early in the production of the 1920 commercial or "Alphabet" Luger.