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Ken Lauderback · 12-02-2003, 12:33 PM

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my previous questions. Now, a couple more:
I think this magazine I got with the 1917 Luger must be a reproduction. Someone said that it should have a wood bottom; plus--I can only get 7 rounds in this thing, and the spring seems excessively strong to me. What would be "correct" for this? I don't mind the reproduction thing; I really can't justify spending $100 for an original magazine, but someone mentioned that there is a fellow called "Viggo" who has repro wood bottoms. How can I contact him? And what type of magazine should I get?
I see a couple of (expensive) wood bottom mags on ebay; am I correct in assuming that if they are lettered "Germany" on the bottom that they are from commercial pistols rather than military?
And finally (for now

) is there any one particular book that details what is correct for the different model Lugers (similar to Clawson's book for the 1911's?)
Thanks again, and here are photos of the magazine:

Edward Tinker · 12-02-2003, 12:44 PM

Ken, Viggo has been making wood bottoms the last year or so, and they are first rate, another member GT made them also, but has suspended making them for a while.

The books by Jan Still are some of the best for overall information, there are four of them, covering each "era". I personally have many other Luger books besides Jan's, each is good in their own right, KenyonÃ¢??s has good pictures, Datig's has good stories and information, Jones has good information. The last two are much older, so there is some inaccurate info in them, but still worthwhile.

BTW, Jan's books are around $70 (including shipping), so they are a bit cheaper than the $600+ for Clawson's books,

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 12-02-2003, 01:09 PM

Ken,

You should be able to find a decent original magazine (nickle plated, wooden bottom, for around $ 50-75) for your nice WWI luger at local gun shows in Oregon...or you might try posting a Want To Buy add in the Classifieds section at the bottom of the Luger Forum main menu. Keep an eye on e-Bay as well...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Dwight Gruber · 12-02-2003, 01:29 PM

Ken,

Your magazine definitely is a repro. I have one of those--came with a gun I bought--not only do they only carry seven rounds, but the metal is very flimsy.

The correct magazine for your 1917 is a rolled&folded, nickeled steel body with a wood bottom, serial# and perhaps + on the bottom.

Before you jump at a repro wood bottom and go to the trouble to try and fit it to this mag, try this. Go to the Portland gun show--there is one coming up on Dec. 20-21--and see if you can find an original for a price acceptable to you. There are reliably two or three tables which have original magazines, maybe you can make a deal.

As far as books are concerned, from the gist of your question I would recommend one of two (preferably both). "Lugers At Random" by Charles Kenyon is an excellent catalog of most of the Luger variations, with photos and salient features of each.

Since you have a 1917 Luger I also recommend "Imperial Lugers" by Jan C. Still. This is a book of encyclopedic detail concering the Lugers of the era represented by yours. A profusely illustrated, detailed, and scholarly history of the Luger's first two decades.

Both books are out of print, but can be found. There is a bookseller regular at the Portland show who usually has a copy of Kenyon for sale, and occasionally you can find Still's book there as well.

--Dwight

12-02-2003, 12:33 PM	#1
Ken Lauderback User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Milwaukie, OR Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	More questions Thanks to everyone who has responded to my previous questions. Now, a couple more: I think this magazine I got with the 1917 Luger must be a reproduction. Someone said that it should have a wood bottom; plus--I can only get 7 rounds in this thing, and the spring seems excessively strong to me. What would be "correct" for this? I don't mind the reproduction thing; I really can't justify spending $100 for an original magazine, but someone mentioned that there is a fellow called "Viggo" who has repro wood bottoms. How can I contact him? And what type of magazine should I get? I see a couple of (expensive) wood bottom mags on ebay; am I correct in assuming that if they are lettered "Germany" on the bottom that they are from commercial pistols rather than military? And finally (for now ) is there any one particular book that details what is correct for the different model Lugers (similar to Clawson's book for the 1911's?) Thanks again, and here are photos of the magazine: __________________ Ken Lauderback Milwaukie, Oregon

12-02-2003, 12:44 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Ken, Viggo has been making wood bottoms the last year or so, and they are first rate, another member GT made them also, but has suspended making them for a while. The books by Jan Still are some of the best for overall information, there are four of them, covering each "era". I personally have many other Luger books besides Jan's, each is good in their own right, KenyonÃ¢??s has good pictures, Datig's has good stories and information, Jones has good information. The last two are much older, so there is some inaccurate info in them, but still worthwhile. BTW, Jan's books are around $70 (including shipping), so they are a bit cheaper than the $600+ for Clawson's books, 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

12-02-2003, 01:09 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Ken, You should be able to find a decent original magazine (nickle plated, wooden bottom, for around $ 50-75) for your nice WWI luger at local gun shows in Oregon...or you might try posting a Want To Buy add in the Classifieds section at the bottom of the Luger Forum main menu. Keep an eye on e-Bay as well... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

12-02-2003, 01:29 PM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Ken, Your magazine definitely is a repro. I have one of those--came with a gun I bought--not only do they only carry seven rounds, but the metal is very flimsy. The correct magazine for your 1917 is a rolled&folded, nickeled steel body with a wood bottom, serial# and perhaps + on the bottom. Before you jump at a repro wood bottom and go to the trouble to try and fit it to this mag, try this. Go to the Portland gun show--there is one coming up on Dec. 20-21--and see if you can find an original for a price acceptable to you. There are reliably two or three tables which have original magazines, maybe you can make a deal. As far as books are concerned, from the gist of your question I would recommend one of two (preferably both). "Lugers At Random" by Charles Kenyon is an excellent catalog of most of the Luger variations, with photos and salient features of each. Since you have a 1917 Luger I also recommend "Imperial Lugers" by Jan C. Still. This is a book of encyclopedic detail concering the Lugers of the era represented by yours. A profusely illustrated, detailed, and scholarly history of the Luger's first two decades. Both books are out of print, but can be found. There is a bookseller regular at the Portland show who usually has a copy of Kenyon for sale, and occasionally you can find Still's book there as well. --Dwight