Early DWM 30 caliber found local ??

James_Dean · 10-12-2012, 11:21 AM

I am new to this luger thing and have been looking for one to get started on. Found a DWM in 30 caliber. Numbers match from what I can see. The SS is 6837 and LOOKS to be either a R or N under the SS on the bottom of the barrel. The condition looks good with very little wear...I see no piting or rust. Missing the mag. One grip in what looks like original wood is chipped towards the safty.

No year mark on top. Side plate has SS under the edge and not on the face. Seller is wanting $1000.00

Can anyone tell me about how old it may be? Is $1000 reasonable or should I keep looking. Was told is was a commercial gun and brought back from WWII but no paper work to verify.

Thanks for any input.

DavidJayUden · 10-12-2012, 12:30 PM

It sounds very much like a commercial gun made post WW1 in the 1920's. $1000 isn't too bad, but $750 is more realistic, at least on the collector-to-collector level. My only reservations are that .30 is not very cheap to shoot, and that period of commercial Luger isn't particularly collectable. Yet they are nice guns with attractive finish.
A good functional aftermarket magazine is the Mec-Gar, and the 9mm ones also feed .30.
dju

wlyon · 10-12-2012, 01:41 PM

Can't answer for the country but around here a 1920 commercial would have to be 98% to sell for $1000 and then a hard sell. Bill

mrerick · 10-12-2012, 04:37 PM

So... buy the gun, not the story... WW-II probably had little to do with this pistol. Is the word "Germany" or "Made in Germany" stamped on it somewhere? If so, it was a Weimar era import to the USA.

I assume "SS" refers to the serial number.

The chip in the original grip reduces the value. It's about a $75 repair.

In excellent all matching condition with an original magazine, $750 would be about the top price I'd pay for a DWM alphabet commercial. It's way overpriced.

Marc

James_Dean · 10-12-2012, 09:43 PM

Thanks for the feed back guys. It does say "Germany" on it. Yes the SS reference was for serial number. But I guess that would have been SN. Sorry for any confusion.

I will continue to look for my first Luger.

James_Dean · 10-14-2012, 08:48 PM

Sending seller $$$ for the 1917 DWM luger just listed on the "for sale" part of this forum. I know there one can not comment on the gun. Any thoughts on it would be greatly appreciated. I assume that is not against the rules as I will be the owner in a few days time. I am proceeding with purchase regardless...but comments here may lean me to continue my search for another a little later on or be happy with this one for awhile. A nice P38 is calling my name next.

lugersrkewl · 10-14-2012, 08:53 PM

snot bad....you payed top dollar if you dont count gunsamerica insane high prices in wich case its a steal.
good looking luger I like the gips.

10-12-2012, 11:21 AM	#1
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Early DWM 30 caliber found local ?? I am new to this luger thing and have been looking for one to get started on. Found a DWM in 30 caliber. Numbers match from what I can see. The SS is 6837 and LOOKS to be either a R or N under the SS on the bottom of the barrel. The condition looks good with very little wear...I see no piting or rust. Missing the mag. One grip in what looks like original wood is chipped towards the safty. No year mark on top. Side plate has SS under the edge and not on the face. Seller is wanting $1000.00 Can anyone tell me about how old it may be? Is $1000 reasonable or should I keep looking. Was told is was a commercial gun and brought back from WWII but no paper work to verify. Thanks for any input.

10-12-2012, 01:41 PM	#3
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,620 Thanks: 3,145 Thanked 2,532 Times in 944 Posts	Can't answer for the country but around here a 1920 commercial would have to be 98% to sell for $1000 and then a hard sell. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-12-2012, 04:37 PM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,901 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	So... buy the gun, not the story... WW-II probably had little to do with this pistol. Is the word "Germany" or "Made in Germany" stamped on it somewhere? If so, it was a Weimar era import to the USA. I assume "SS" refers to the serial number. The chip in the original grip reduces the value. It's about a $75 repair. In excellent all matching condition with an original magazine, $750 would be about the top price I'd pay for a DWM alphabet commercial. It's way overpriced. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-12-2012, 12:30 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	It sounds very much like a commercial gun made post WW1 in the 1920's. $1000 isn't too bad, but $750 is more realistic, at least on the collector-to-collector level. My only reservations are that .30 is not very cheap to shoot, and that period of commercial Luger isn't particularly collectable. Yet they are nice guns with attractive finish. A good functional aftermarket magazine is the Mec-Gar, and the 9mm ones also feed .30. dju

10-12-2012, 09:43 PM	#5
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the feed back guys. It does say "Germany" on it. Yes the SS reference was for serial number. But I guess that would have been SN. Sorry for any confusion. I will continue to look for my first Luger.

10-14-2012, 08:48 PM	#6
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sending seller $$$ for the 1917 DWM luger just listed on the "for sale" part of this forum. I know there one can not comment on the gun. Any thoughts on it would be greatly appreciated. I assume that is not against the rules as I will be the owner in a few days time. I am proceeding with purchase regardless...but comments here may lean me to continue my search for another a little later on or be happy with this one for awhile. A nice P38 is calling my name next.

10-14-2012, 08:53 PM	#7
lugersrkewl Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ussr Posts: 425 Thanks: 198 Thanked 75 Times in 58 Posts	snot bad....you payed top dollar if you dont count gunsamerica insane high prices in wich case its a steal. good looking luger I like the gips.