New acquisition!!! 1911 DWM

Nyghtfall · 12-21-2014, 12:00 PM

I am new here. Just acquired my first Luger. It's a 1911 DWM. All matching, good finish, holster wear here and there. Straw still there but faded. Serial 54XX, with either a script capital "L" or small "e". No bolt hold open, not cut for stock, and has a loop on the back of the frame for a landyard. Mag is wood bottom, numbered 4759, with the same " L" or "e". Also have an aluminum bottom mag numbered 6010 " i", a stamp that appears to be an eagle over the number 83. Unit marking is " B.3.T.S.1.16.". Would appreciate any info, and maybe a ballpark value.

DavidJayUden · 12-21-2014, 12:27 PM

it sounds like a very nice gun however photos are needed before we can venture an estimate of value.
Dju

Neil Young · 12-21-2014, 12:28 PM

It is most likely a small "e". Both "e" and "l" suffix Lugers were produced in 1911, but the "l" was not capitalized. I'm sure everyone would like to see some photos of your new piece.

Okay, dju beat me to the photo comment, but coming back to edit gives me a chance to welcome you aboard. It's a good source of information.

George Anderson · 12-21-2014, 12:29 PM

Bayerische Train Batallion 3,Sanitaets Compagnie 1, Waffe 16. It's a pistol issued to a Bavarian medic.

Nyghtfall · 12-21-2014, 01:24 PM

Sorry for the low quality pics. Had to use my phone.

Nyghtfall · 12-21-2014, 01:32 PM

Barrel

alvin · 12-21-2014, 01:47 PM

This is a beautiful gun!

rhuff · 12-21-2014, 04:18 PM

For your first Luger, I think that you started out with a real winner....Congrats!!

DavidJayUden · 12-21-2014, 05:27 PM

OK, Gents, let's hear your thoughts on value.
I'm guestimating, with that spare magazine, from $1500 to $1750 as a realistic sales price, but then I have a soft spot for those early DWM's. What do the rest of you think?
dju

Geo99 · 12-21-2014, 08:50 PM

I would say $1700-$1800 assuming it's all matching.
But that's really a wild guess because the pics posted have not shown the whole gun.

Love the wood bottom mag - it's probably worth a couple hundred by itself, if the metal is in really good shape.

Nyghtfall · 12-21-2014, 09:46 PM

Best I can get. Thanks for all the info.

abukafura · 12-22-2014, 07:51 AM

The early wood bottom mag alone is worth a bunch.

Balder · 12-22-2014, 08:39 AM

Nyghtfall,

That's an awesome way to start any Luger collection, good find! I also have a Bavarian DWM 1911 without the hold-open.

Merry Christmas to you and all members on this board!

Balder

Nyghtfall · 12-22-2014, 08:42 AM

I really appreciate all the great info. This is going to become my favorite website!!! Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

Edward Tinker · 12-22-2014, 09:49 AM

I would agree with the estimates, but ensure it is all matching as it should be.

Has a hold open been added?

The early wood mag, as Herman said is worth a decent amount if in nice shape (maybe $200 or more, depending on condition).

Welcome to the forum!

Ed

Nyghtfall · 12-22-2014, 10:03 AM

No bolt hold open. I have not taken the grips off to see if they are numbered, but everything else matches. Is it OK to clean the grips? I have seen posts on how to do it.

Sergio Natali · 12-22-2014, 10:58 AM

Welcome to our LUGER forum, and congratulations on your first Luger, it's quite a good start.

Sergio

DavidJayUden · 12-22-2014, 11:12 AM

Cleaning the grips must be done very carefully, particularly taking off the left panel so as not to chip away wood from behind the safety. Sort of lift it out at the bottom just enough to clear the frame, then rotate the bottom so that the top slips out of the grove, but never force it.
I use a soft toothbrush and some mineral spirits or paint thinner. If hey are dry and I want to freshen them up a bit I'll add a few drops of boiled lindseed oil to the mineral spirits, but be advised that this is a personal choice and that some of the more advanced collectors recommend doing nothing.
dju

Nyghtfall · 12-22-2014, 11:17 AM

Yes, unfortunately it already has the chip under the safety.

DavidJayUden · 12-22-2014, 12:00 PM

FYI we do have a member or 2 here who specializes in restoring Luger grips and they can "fill" that million dollar chip so that you can't tell. Again a personal thing...
dju

12-21-2014, 12:00 PM	#1
Nyghtfall User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	New acquisition!!! 1911 DWM I am new here. Just acquired my first Luger. It's a 1911 DWM. All matching, good finish, holster wear here and there. Straw still there but faded. Serial 54XX, with either a script capital "L" or small "e". No bolt hold open, not cut for stock, and has a loop on the back of the frame for a landyard. Mag is wood bottom, numbered 4759, with the same " L" or "e". Also have an aluminum bottom mag numbered 6010 " i", a stamp that appears to be an eagle over the number 83. Unit marking is " B.3.T.S.1.16.". Would appreciate any info, and maybe a ballpark value. Last edited by Nyghtfall; 12-21-2014 at 05:07 PM.

12-21-2014, 12:28 PM	#3
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 545 Thanks: 559 Thanked 442 Times in 168 Posts	It is most likely a small "e". Both "e" and "l" suffix Lugers were produced in 1911, but the "l" was not capitalized. I'm sure everyone would like to see some photos of your new piece. Okay, dju beat me to the photo comment, but coming back to edit gives me a chance to welcome you aboard. It's a good source of information. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

12-21-2014, 01:24 PM	#5
Nyghtfall User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Sorry for the low quality pics. Had to use my phone. Attached Thumbnails

12-21-2014, 01:32 PM	#6
Nyghtfall User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Barrel Attached Thumbnails

12-21-2014, 08:50 PM	#10
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	I would say $1700-$1800 assuming it's all matching. But that's really a wild guess because the pics posted have not shown the whole gun. Love the wood bottom mag - it's probably worth a couple hundred by itself, if the metal is in really good shape. __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

12-21-2014, 12:27 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	it sounds like a very nice gun however photos are needed before we can venture an estimate of value. Dju

12-21-2014, 12:29 PM	#4
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Bayerische Train Batallion 3,Sanitaets Compagnie 1, Waffe 16. It's a pistol issued to a Bavarian medic.

12-21-2014, 01:47 PM	#7
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	This is a beautiful gun!

12-21-2014, 04:18 PM	#8
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	For your first Luger, I think that you started out with a real winner....Congrats!!

12-21-2014, 05:27 PM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	OK, Gents, let's hear your thoughts on value. I'm guestimating, with that spare magazine, from $1500 to $1750 as a realistic sales price, but then I have a soft spot for those early DWM's. What do the rest of you think? dju

12-21-2014, 09:46 PM	#11
Nyghtfall User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Best I can get. Thanks for all the info. Attached Thumbnails

12-22-2014, 07:51 AM	#12
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 89 Times in 57 Posts	The early wood bottom mag alone is worth a bunch.

12-22-2014, 08:39 AM	#13
Balder User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 288 Thanks: 20 Thanked 34 Times in 19 Posts	Nyghtfall, That's an awesome way to start any Luger collection, good find! I also have a Bavarian DWM 1911 without the hold-open. Merry Christmas to you and all members on this board! Balder

12-22-2014, 08:42 AM	#14
Nyghtfall User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	I really appreciate all the great info. This is going to become my favorite website!!! Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

12-22-2014, 09:49 AM	#15
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	I would agree with the estimates, but ensure it is all matching as it should be. Has a hold open been added? The early wood mag, as Herman said is worth a decent amount if in nice shape (maybe $200 or more, depending on condition). Welcome to the forum! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

12-22-2014, 10:03 AM	#16
Nyghtfall User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	No bolt hold open. I have not taken the grips off to see if they are numbered, but everything else matches. Is it OK to clean the grips? I have seen posts on how to do it.

12-22-2014, 10:58 AM	#17
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Welcome to our LUGER forum, and congratulations on your first Luger, it's quite a good start. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

12-22-2014, 11:12 AM	#18
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Cleaning the grips must be done very carefully, particularly taking off the left panel so as not to chip away wood from behind the safety. Sort of lift it out at the bottom just enough to clear the frame, then rotate the bottom so that the top slips out of the grove, but never force it. I use a soft toothbrush and some mineral spirits or paint thinner. If hey are dry and I want to freshen them up a bit I'll add a few drops of boiled lindseed oil to the mineral spirits, but be advised that this is a personal choice and that some of the more advanced collectors recommend doing nothing. dju

12-22-2014, 11:17 AM	#19
Nyghtfall User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Yes, unfortunately it already has the chip under the safety.

12-22-2014, 12:00 PM	#20
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	FYI we do have a member or 2 here who specializes in restoring Luger grips and they can "fill" that million dollar chip so that you can't tell. Again a personal thing... dju