marianne ades

i just got two artillery lugers, which both seem

to be dwm original issues with matching serial

numbers/number styles and no proof marks, but i

would like to make sure of them. i was hoping

to find serial number info and identification

info here, but i don't seem to see what i was

looking for.


there seem to be plenty of info on proof marks

and logos, but no info on what the id is if there

are no proof marks or logos. there seems to be

nothing on serial numbers, which i had hoped

would date these better, and though the letter

suffixs are shown, there is no explanation of

what they mean.


so, here is the info i have; if you have any

questions, or can help with the id, please

email me (it's too hard to find responses

on bbs).


1. dwm marked, 1914? style, 1918 date. matching serial

numbers/number styles on all parts, including

grips, stock, and holster. no proof marks on

anything that i can see.


serial # 2172c, 9mm (i think, but there does not

seem to be any easy way to tell), 8 inch barrel,


clean walnut grips with sharp checkering.


brown leather holster (this seems to be somewhat damaged-

the holster flap strap was partially torn, and repaired

with what looks like kidskin, which is also starting to

tear.).


stock (walnut?) in good shape on side next to holster,

with some bruises on outer side.


stock leather is brown, with some damage- some leather

was carved out of the strap attached to the fore-end,

and there seems to be a missing strap on the fore-end

cap (it looks like there is supposed to be a strap

there, that the longer strap slides through, to prevent

the cap from falling off). there are two screws on the

end of that cap, which look like they've had their heads

snipped off.


the stock has some minor pitting on the yoke? (the metal

part on the stock that attaches to the gun).


the cleaning rod is there (with some rust), but not the

takedown tool.


gun has 95-97% blue, with wear at chamber, some

minor browning on barrel, and some wear at butt.

parts show 95% straw color with some light spotting.

fine bore. some of the leather-to-brass fittings have

what look likes the usual green goo from that

interaction.


2. dwm marked, 1914? style, 1918 date. matching serial

numbers/number styles on all parts, but no numbers on

magazine. no proof marks on anything that i can see.


serial # 5334k, 9mm (i think, but there does not

seem to be any easy way to tell), 8 inch barrel,


40-50% blue, some light spotting on fore and back straps.

replacement grips (i do not know if these are

contemporary or modern), fine bore.

have not picked this one up yet, so cannot give info

on straw, etc. no accesories.


also, had some questions-


how do i determine caliber?


where is the best place to buy modern replica

stocks, holsters, and cleaning rods?


are original takedown tools available?


i've seen a few snail drums and drum loaders for sale,

but the prices are high. does anyone make working

replicas (hopefully pre-ban)?


i've read that if i decide to shoot these (just to

test them), i should not use just any modern 9mm para

hardball, but one designed to produce a lower chamber

pressure. is this the case, and what should i look

for? (ditto for my broomhandle mauser red 9)


thanks,


m ades