Ron,
An interesting identification challenge.
First off, closer pictures of all the markings would be useful. Try to photograph the guns on something other than a brilliant white background, the guns themselves will lighten up in the photos and be easier to see.
Both guns are reblued, as can be told primatily by the small parts--trigger, thumb safety lever, magazine release, takedown lever. ejector--which are normally straw color, are blued. Both guns have miscellaneous aftermarket grips.
In the first picture, the three inspectors' marks on the right receiver indicate that this gun was produced for WWI. There is a fourth mark, to the right, which seems to be mostly removed--I believe I can detect remnants of a DWM firing proof--a better picture might make it clearer. In this picture also there is evidence of an importer's stamp. It would be useful to see whatever marks are on the bottom of the barrel.
In the second picture, the figures stamped in the boxes are unknown to me. Since they are on both pistols, this suggests that they passed through the same hands or ownership at some point. It is easiest to suspect that they might have something to do with the importer, are there importer's marks on the second gun similar to the first?
In the third picture, as there is no chamber date (as would be proper for a WWI Imperial Luger with the right chamber marks) it has been removed.
In the fourth picture, there is no GERMANY stamp under the frame serial number. This mark would indicate a gun designated for commercial export from Germany (different from the importer's mark referred to previously). Is GERMANY stamped anywhere, on either gun?
The fifth picture is very interesting indeed. The crown/N on the left receiver means that this gun has undergone commercial test proofing, indicating that it was re-proofed after some commercial reworking was done to it. This may relate to being rebarrelled, makeing it crucial to know all the markings on the barrel. There is a mark visible on the left breechblock above the frame rails, it would be useful to know if it is a crown/N or an eagle.
The second gun is as enigmatic as the first. In the left side view a crown/N is clearly visible, but there is another mark next to it, hard to identifyin the picture. Might it be an eagle-over-6? As with the other Luger, what is the stamp on the left breechblock?
In order to tell much more about this gun, it is necessary to know the serial number on the front of the frame and see all the markings on the barrel. Regarding the barrel markings, it might be useful to see a closeup of the bottom of the receiver of both guns.
Is there anything stamped on the inside surface of either gun's sideplate?
What are the magazines like? What are the bases made of? Are there any markings on the bases or the tubes?
Are these Lugers .30 cal. or 9mm?
Your Mom and Dad both have Lugers. I think thats pretty cool.
Really looking forward to more info and better pictures.
--Dwight
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