Fresh from the gunshow: Schupo Dz 1916

[Olle]

This one was kid of a surprise: A guy came up to my table at the gun show, and asked me if I was interested in Lugers and P.38s. We talked about it for a few minutes, and then we decided to meet at his house after the show. When we met a few hours later, he showed me one near mint, all correct and matching ac44 P.38 and this 9mm Luger. I really wanted the P.38 but he wouldn't sell them separately, so after some negotiation I walked home with both.

I was thinking about using this one as a shooter, but once I had disassembled it and cleaned off several decades worth of sticky, old grease I found that it's all matching except for the mag and the extractor (numbered 24, instead of 29). Also, the firing pin is fluted and unnumbered, not sure if that's correct or not. The grips are a bit worn, but they are numbered to the gun and there are no cracks, dings or chips in the wood.

It has some light "frosting" in several places and has obviously been touched up, but is very sound and solid mechanically. The barrel is also frosted with some light pitting, but the rifling is good. I shot two mags through it after I got it reassembled, and it seems to shoot very straight. It hits low and to the left, but that could be easily fixed by trimming or replacing the bead and then adjusting the windage.

All in all, I think this is more of a collectible than a shooter, and it would make a good restoration project as well. I'm planning to put it up for sale, so what would be a good asking price for a gun in this condition? Also, does the Schupo marking add any value to it?

[Olle]

And some more pics... The magazine was gone, so the one in the pictures is an original mag that I have renickeled. I also installed a new spring and a GT wood bottom in it.

[Olle]

Forgot about these pictures: The barrel is stamped with serial number and bore gauge, and there is also a proof mark on top of the barrel.

[kurusu]

The fluted firing pin is not original to the pistol. But it's a plus for a shooter.

[Don M]

Very nice pistol reissued to the Schutzpolizei of Danzig after WWI.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Olle, Is the toggle pin numbered to the pistol?

[DonVoigt]

Ollie,
I like it!
PM inbound.

[Olle]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Olle, Is the toggle pin numbered to the pistol?

No, it's blank. Should it be numbered?

[DonVoigt]

Sometimes(most times?) when the firing pin was fluted around 1932, the toggle pin was also numbered; but then it could have been changed later.

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Sometimes(most times?) when the firing pin was fluted around 1932, the toggle pin was also numbered; but then it could have been changed later.

Yes - both I would consider correct

Perhaps not at same time, but I think same time makes sense.

I have never seen one marked like this
But I wouldn't turn my nose up at it either

[Don M]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

I have never seen one marked like this

HWIS pp. 299-300; Police Lugers p. 75.

[Olle]

Good news: Got a #29 toggle axle coming in from Lugerdoc. So who has the trigger bar I need?

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by Don M

HWIS pp. 299-300; Police Lugers p. 75.

ok, let me say, I don't remember ever seeing this marking

If I am unsure about a marking, I do go to your book Don, I hope you or others go to Police Lugers for other stuff

[Don M]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

I do go to your book Don, I hope you or others go to Police Lugers for other stuff

Sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge to tweak! I certainly do use Police Lugers. It has a lot of great information.

[Don M]

Originally Posted by Olle

Good news: Got a #29 toggle axle coming in from Lugerdoc. So who has the trigger bar I need?

Olle, I'm not sure this pistol should have a serial numbered toggle pin. The 1932 instructions to mark these pins were issued to units of the Weimar German Republic (Reichswehr, Bavarian state police, etc.) (Small Arms Markings, pp. 131-2). From 1923 to 1939, Danzig was a Free City under the protection of the League of Nations (HWIS pp. 298-9). While Danzig had strong German ties, the extant orders would not have applied to its Schupo. Your un-numbered pin is probably the original.

[Olle]

Ok, so with the fluted pin (which I assume was a common upgrade) I only need the correct sear bar then? It's numbered #24 instead of #29, so maybe we could say it's a factory mismatch and call it a day?

[Don M]

Originally Posted by Olle

Ok, so with the fluted pin (which I assume was a common upgrade) I only need the correct sear bar then? It's numbered #24 instead of #29, so maybe we could say it's a factory mismatch and call it a day?

Your assumption that the sear bar was a factory mismatch is reasonable but I suspect you may have some trouble convincing others. However, if the gun were mine, I would leave it in its "as acquired" condition and acjbiwkedge the uncertainties. I personally think it is more likely that it is in the same condition it was at the end of its service life.