Luger Stamping Question

MAUSER88 · 01-28-2022, 06:31 PM

I have a question on this P-08. Pistol is all matching and a sear safety has been added.All matching numbers with a matching mag. with a number 1 and an Eagle L waffenampt. No grip strap markings. Bluing was refinished at some point post war but the straw seems original.

My question is on the left side of the frame are the numbers 1920.

I was always under the impression that these Police reworks were always stamped 1920 on the chamber next to the production date. Is this uncommon or common?

Heinz · 01-28-2022, 07:35 PM

I have never seen one with the 1920 stamp in that position.

Edward Tinker · 01-28-2022, 07:46 PM

I have seen other guns marked this way, but yes, not common.
Remember, the 1920 is not a date, although it was implemented in 1920 (thus you'll see 1920 over 1920). The 1920 was a gov't stamping (see FAQ and download it

) - as they were trying to get weapons off the streets (Allied commission) and thus weapons were given a bounty and they felt that if marked, they'd be less likely to be stolen and returned.

The eagle L is nazi era police.

MAUSER88 · 01-28-2022, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

I have seen other guns marked this way, but yes, not common.
Remember, the 1920 is not a date, although it was implemented in 1920 (thus you'll see 1920 over 1920). The 1920 was a gov't stamping (see FAQ and download it

) - as they were trying to get weapons off the streets (Allied commission) and thus weapons were given a bounty and they felt that if marked, they'd be less likely to be stolen and returned.

The eagle L is nazi era police.

Odd that the mag matches the serial number of the pistol right?

ithacaartist · 01-28-2022, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAUSER88

Odd that the mag matches the serial number of the pistol right?

Not really, for a pistol that went into police service. The mag has an aluminum bottom, Nazi proof, and is numbered "!" in police fashion. Not originally issued with the gun, and not period correct for when the Luger was made, but definitely appropriate for this pistol.

MAUSER88 · 01-28-2022, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

Not really, for a pistol that went into police service. The mag has an aluminum bottom, Nazi proof, and is numbered "!" in police fashion. Not originally issued with the gun, and not period correct for when the Luger was made, but definitely appropriate for this pistol.

So are you saying the pistol went into Police service sometime in WWII?

Edward Tinker · 01-28-2022, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAUSER88

So are you saying the pistol went into Police service sometime in WWII?

No, it needed a replacement, so it received a new mag - I have a 2 matching police with an original WW1 wood base and a weimar era aluminum

ithacaartist · 01-30-2022, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAUSER88

So are you saying the pistol went into Police service sometime in WWII?

It could have gone into police service any time after WWI. It received the aluminum bottom mag any time after that style of mag came into use, and obviously when the Nazis ran the show.

DonVoigt · 01-31-2022, 11:04 AM

Or it is quite possible that someone added the "matching" number magazine - as serendipitous find!

The straw was near certainly redone when the pistol was re-blued, straw is too fresh and uniform to be original.

MAUSER88 · 02-02-2022, 04:50 PM

Another question please. One the 3rd picture you can see a 1/8 size pin on the top of the toggle. What is the purpose as I don't see that on any Mauser made WWII Luger's.

Vlim · 02-02-2022, 05:05 PM

That pin is always there, normally flush with the toggle. It prevents the toggle pin from working its way out sideways.

Norme · 02-02-2022, 05:09 PM

Hi, the pin is there, it's just harder to see on Mauser Lugers.
Norm

MAUSER88 · 02-02-2022, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi, the pin is there, it's just harder to see on Mauser Lugers.
Norm

Thanks I see it now.

aldo35 · 02-02-2022, 08:45 PM

I had a Walther Model 4 veteran bring back with the 1920 stamping and a # 2 burnt into the left grip. The vet's unit took Zella Mehlis and collected weapons. The comment at the time was everyone in town had a pistol and there were four firearms factories.

Click image for larger version

Name: DSC03608.jpg
Views: 1299
Size: 97.4 KB
ID: 84723

Lugerdoc · 02-03-2022, 12:54 PM

The "1920" marking on your M4 Walther indicates that it was in the inventory of the German Army in 1920. I believe that you also have an Imperial Crown over a letter, just above the 1920, which indicates Army acceptance in the WW1 era. TH

01-28-2022, 06:31 PM	#1
MAUSER88 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 257 Thanks: 5 Thanked 58 Times in 31 Posts	Luger Stamping Question I have a question on this P-08. Pistol is all matching and a sear safety has been added.All matching numbers with a matching mag. with a number 1 and an Eagle L waffenampt. No grip strap markings. Bluing was refinished at some point post war but the straw seems original. My question is on the left side of the frame are the numbers 1920. I was always under the impression that these Police reworks were always stamped 1920 on the chamber next to the production date. Is this uncommon or common? Attached Thumbnails

01-28-2022, 07:46 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,931 Thanks: 2,031 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	I have seen other guns marked this way, but yes, not common. Remember, the 1920 is not a date, although it was implemented in 1920 (thus you'll see 1920 over 1920). The 1920 was a gov't stamping (see FAQ and download it ) - as they were trying to get weapons off the streets (Allied commission) and thus weapons were given a bounty and they felt that if marked, they'd be less likely to be stolen and returned. The eagle L is nazi era police. __________________ 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

01-31-2022, 11:04 AM	#9
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Or it is quite possible that someone added the "matching" number magazine - as serendipitous find! The straw was near certainly redone when the pistol was re-blued, straw is too fresh and uniform to be original. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

02-02-2022, 05:09 PM	#12
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi, the pin is there, it's just harder to see on Mauser Lugers. Norm Attached Thumbnails

02-02-2022, 08:45 PM	#14
aldo35 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northern GA Posts: 343 Thanks: 2,216 Thanked 146 Times in 76 Posts	!920 Stampings I had a Walther Model 4 veteran bring back with the 1920 stamping and a # 2 burnt into the left grip. The vet's unit took Zella Mehlis and collected weapons. The comment at the time was everyone in town had a pistol and there were four firearms factories.

01-28-2022, 07:35 PM	#2
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	I have never seen one with the 1920 stamp in that position.

02-02-2022, 04:50 PM	#10
MAUSER88 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 257 Thanks: 5 Thanked 58 Times in 31 Posts	Another question please. One the 3rd picture you can see a 1/8 size pin on the top of the toggle. What is the purpose as I don't see that on any Mauser made WWII Luger's.

02-02-2022, 05:05 PM	#11
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	That pin is always there, normally flush with the toggle. It prevents the toggle pin from working its way out sideways.

02-03-2022, 12:54 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	The "1920" marking on your M4 Walther indicates that it was in the inventory of the German Army in 1920. I believe that you also have an Imperial Crown over a letter, just above the 1920, which indicates Army acceptance in the WW1 era. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net