Lead on a DWM 1914 Military Luger

woodstock · 01-19-2012, 01:12 AM

I have a lead on a Luger and wanted to hear some thoughts. The seller is asking $850. It's a DWM 1914 Military (chamber dated 1917), all numbers match except the trigger plate and magazine. Finish is in very good condition except for wear on trigger plate. The bore is described as very good with no rust. There is a chip out of the left grip behind the safety; this seems to be a common DWM flaw? Comes with an original WWI holster with a damaged strap, original combo tool and one reproduction magazine. Functions perfectly. What do you guys think? I'm going to look at it tomorrow. Thanks!

DavidJayUden · 01-19-2012, 08:59 AM

Woody:
You don't specify if you want it for shooting, collecting, investing, etc.
I can't see a huge problem with it at that price. It is mismatched and not as collectable as if the side plate matched, but then again $850 is appropriate.
And by the way, the chip in the left grip panel is not a DWM flaw, but instead an owner flaw. Careless removal is what causes it.
dju

woodstock · 01-19-2012, 09:37 AM

I want it because it is something that I have always wanted, and I will shoot it occasionally. Does someone do repairs on the holsters? Thanks!

alanint · 01-19-2012, 10:15 AM

Yes, Forum member Jerry Burney is simply the best holster restorer in the business. Look for him under "Lugerholsterrepair".

The price is a good one, considering that the finish appears original and you are also getting an original, unmessed with holster and loading tool.

You can even advertise for a correctly numbered sideplate here. You might get lucky and find a correct number.

mrerick · 01-19-2012, 12:20 PM

Should you buy it, and want to have the left grip repaired, it can be done at a reasonable price. This is probably better to do than buying modern replacement grips. In any case, try and preserve the original grips.

If the pistol is in otherwise good shape, I think it's worth it.

Marc

woodstock · 01-19-2012, 02:45 PM

Who does the grip repair? That sounds promising! I'm off to go see it now. Thanks!

zombeer · 01-19-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodstock

I want it because it is something that I have always wanted, and I will shoot it occasionally. Does someone do repairs on the holsters? Thanks!

If you've always wanted one, I say go for it! You only live once!

DavidJayUden · 01-19-2012, 05:52 PM

Look up Hugh Clark for grip work. He's on this forum.
dju

wlyon · 01-19-2012, 06:14 PM

Good advice above. Jerry and Hugh are the best. Especially if you want the repairs done correctly. Bill

lugerholsterrepair · 01-19-2012, 06:35 PM

Jim.. the chip in the left grip panel is not a DWM flaw, but instead an owner flaw. Careless removal is what causes it.

As David says..but another reason is shooting old original grips. I had it happen while shooting an Artillery Luger. Chip got knocked out and I couldn't find it at the range. Learnt me a lesson..

woodstock · 01-19-2012, 06:53 PM

Well I came home with the DWM. I have to say that I like it a lot! He even threw in a set of new reproduction grips! The gentleman who sold it had me over to his house and went over field stripping and gave me his thoughts on Lugers in general. He has others that were very cool! I hope to see him again. What's the best way to post for possibly obtaining a correct trigger plate? Is it a long shot at best in finding one that matches?

alanint · 01-19-2012, 07:35 PM

Congratulations!!

Place and ad here in the "Wants" section. Make sure to mention that it is for a 1917 dated DWM and you will need to include the last two digits of the serial number on the balance of the gun.

DavidJayUden · 01-19-2012, 07:41 PM

Also search sites like Gunbroker, AuctionArms, etc.
Seems like our own Zim had a bunch of side plates listed for sale, so dig thru the for sale section. And try our LugerDoc, as he has lots of goodies.
There are lots of good videos on youtube showing disassembly/reassembly if you get stuck.
dju

woodstock · 01-19-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Congratulations!!

Place and ad here in the "Wants" section. Make sure to mention that it is for a 1917 dated DWM and you will need to include the last two digits of the serial number on the balance of the gun.

Thank you! I'm very excited! Is there a difference in side plates between the manufacturers?

Lugerdoc · 01-25-2012, 12:43 PM

WS, The main difference in side plates is markings (Simson, Erfurt & most KH) will be "proofed" and the number die set used by each manufacturer will differ. Also pre mid-1937 PO8s will be rust blued, vise salt dip after that. TH

01-19-2012, 01:12 AM	#1
woodstock User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lead on a DWM 1914 Military Luger I have a lead on a Luger and wanted to hear some thoughts. The seller is asking $850. It's a DWM 1914 Military (chamber dated 1917), all numbers match except the trigger plate and magazine. Finish is in very good condition except for wear on trigger plate. The bore is described as very good with no rust. There is a chip out of the left grip behind the safety; this seems to be a common DWM flaw? Comes with an original WWI holster with a damaged strap, original combo tool and one reproduction magazine. Functions perfectly. What do you guys think? I'm going to look at it tomorrow. Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

01-19-2012, 12:20 PM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Should you buy it, and want to have the left grip repaired, it can be done at a reasonable price. This is probably better to do than buying modern replacement grips. In any case, try and preserve the original grips. If the pistol is in otherwise good shape, I think it's worth it. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-19-2012, 06:14 PM	#9
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,633 Thanks: 3,173 Thanked 2,555 Times in 954 Posts	Good advice above. Jerry and Hugh are the best. Especially if you want the repairs done correctly. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

01-19-2012, 06:35 PM	#10
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,926 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Jim.. the chip in the left grip panel is not a DWM flaw, but instead an owner flaw. Careless removal is what causes it. As David says..but another reason is shooting old original grips. I had it happen while shooting an Artillery Luger. Chip got knocked out and I couldn't find it at the range. Learnt me a lesson.. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

01-25-2012, 12:43 PM	#15
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	WS, The main difference in side plates is markings (Simson, Erfurt & most KH) will be "proofed" and the number die set used by each manufacturer will differ. Also pre mid-1937 PO8s will be rust blued, vise salt dip after that. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-19-2012, 08:59 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Woody: You don't specify if you want it for shooting, collecting, investing, etc. I can't see a huge problem with it at that price. It is mismatched and not as collectable as if the side plate matched, but then again $850 is appropriate. And by the way, the chip in the left grip panel is not a DWM flaw, but instead an owner flaw. Careless removal is what causes it. dju

01-19-2012, 09:37 AM	#3
woodstock User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I want it because it is something that I have always wanted, and I will shoot it occasionally. Does someone do repairs on the holsters? Thanks!

01-19-2012, 10:15 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Yes, Forum member Jerry Burney is simply the best holster restorer in the business. Look for him under "Lugerholsterrepair". The price is a good one, considering that the finish appears original and you are also getting an original, unmessed with holster and loading tool. You can even advertise for a correctly numbered sideplate here. You might get lucky and find a correct number.

01-19-2012, 02:45 PM	#6
woodstock User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Who does the grip repair? That sounds promising! I'm off to go see it now. Thanks!

01-19-2012, 05:52 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Look up Hugh Clark for grip work. He's on this forum. dju

01-19-2012, 06:53 PM	#11
woodstock User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well I came home with the DWM. I have to say that I like it a lot! He even threw in a set of new reproduction grips! The gentleman who sold it had me over to his house and went over field stripping and gave me his thoughts on Lugers in general. He has others that were very cool! I hope to see him again. What's the best way to post for possibly obtaining a correct trigger plate? Is it a long shot at best in finding one that matches?

01-19-2012, 07:35 PM	#12
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Congratulations!! Place and ad here in the "Wants" section. Make sure to mention that it is for a 1917 dated DWM and you will need to include the last two digits of the serial number on the balance of the gun.

01-19-2012, 07:41 PM	#13
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Also search sites like Gunbroker, AuctionArms, etc. Seems like our own Zim had a bunch of side plates listed for sale, so dig thru the for sale section. And try our LugerDoc, as he has lots of goodies. There are lots of good videos on youtube showing disassembly/reassembly if you get stuck. dju