1910 Luger barrel question

markbritt · 04-21-2010, 02:54 PM

About 20 years ago, I picked up a luger at the local gun show for $225.00. It was my first luger and has a 1910 date on the receiver. The numbers are matching except the toggle which is marked S/42 with a big "X" over the number. I didnt buy it for collectability, just as a shooter. I was looking it over the other night and noticed a couple of things on the bottom of the barrel. The barrel is NOT marked with the serial number of the gun, but does have a CROWN N on it. In addition, there is an import mark about 1/2 way up the barrel from the importer in "Alexandria, VA"??
My question is were the barrels in 1910 serialed to the receiver as there were in later years? I am now wondering if this could be the original 9mm barrel (not bad bore) that was simply roll marked with an importer mark? If anyone has thoughts, I would appreciate them.

Thanks,
Mark

Ron Wood · 04-21-2010, 03:24 PM

Commercial guns do not bear a chamber date, therefore the receiver on your gun is military. All original Lugers have the barrel serial numbered to the gun. The Crown/N is a commercial proof, so it is a replacement barrel.

John Sabato · 04-21-2010, 03:27 PM

A real shame that the gun is not all matching, cause the 1910 variety is not very common.

Vlim · 04-21-2010, 04:06 PM

This is a bit of post war / cold war history, in fact.

Judging from the descriptions it is probably one of a batch of East-German VoPo pistols that was sold to Interarms (hence the Alexandria/VA marking) as an attempt to secure some hard American cash. Since East-Germany was 'the enemy', a lot of cover-ups were needed to hide the fact that an Eastern-Block country was selling guns to an American reseller.

04-21-2010, 02:54 PM	#1
markbritt User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 240 Thanks: 5 Thanked 48 Times in 22 Posts	1910 Luger barrel question About 20 years ago, I picked up a luger at the local gun show for $225.00. It was my first luger and has a 1910 date on the receiver. The numbers are matching except the toggle which is marked S/42 with a big "X" over the number. I didnt buy it for collectability, just as a shooter. I was looking it over the other night and noticed a couple of things on the bottom of the barrel. The barrel is NOT marked with the serial number of the gun, but does have a CROWN N on it. In addition, there is an import mark about 1/2 way up the barrel from the importer in "Alexandria, VA"?? My question is were the barrels in 1910 serialed to the receiver as there were in later years? I am now wondering if this could be the original 9mm barrel (not bad bore) that was simply roll marked with an importer mark? If anyone has thoughts, I would appreciate them. Thanks, Mark Attached Thumbnails

04-21-2010, 03:24 PM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,005 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 5,139 Times in 1,689 Posts	Commercial guns do not bear a chamber date, therefore the receiver on your gun is military. All original Lugers have the barrel serial numbered to the gun. The Crown/N is a commercial proof, so it is a replacement barrel. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-21-2010, 03:27 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	A real shame that the gun is not all matching, cause the 1910 variety is not very common. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

04-21-2010, 04:06 PM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,987 Times in 1,205 Posts	This is a bit of post war / cold war history, in fact. Judging from the descriptions it is probably one of a batch of East-German VoPo pistols that was sold to Interarms (hence the Alexandria/VA marking) as an attempt to secure some hard American cash. Since East-Germany was 'the enemy', a lot of cover-ups were needed to hide the fact that an Eastern-Block country was selling guns to an American reseller.