Luger Serial Numbers

Sudough · 03-27-2005, 09:43 PM

Howdy; A friend of mine has just become the proud owner of a German Luger. It seems to have no serial number? Is this possible? The weapon is in very good shape, with wood grip panels. Very few markings, other than the fancy DWM on the toggle. Any body have any information? It would be appreciated. As you may be able to tell, I don't know much about Luger pistols, but since I have a computer, I figured I could run down some answers for him. Thanks

Doug G. · 03-27-2005, 10:37 PM

Post as many pictures as you can. This will help to determine if the gun is original or has had the numbers removed. There are many possibilities, but most likely it has been messed with.

tudorbug · 03-27-2005, 10:58 PM

If there are no serial numbers, your friend may want to keep his head low in his foxhole. Removal of those numbers at some time in the past brings a number of images to mind, none of them good.

Seems as if there has got to be a serial number, somewhere on that pistol.

David

Doug G. · 03-27-2005, 11:02 PM

David, we have to keep our minds open. Remember that until GCA 1968 serial numbers were not required on all guns. I have seen WWII pistols that bore no serial numbers. These were usually parts guns made up after the war. I have also seen these with an ATF added serial number. I think that you might have to get a C2 to so this though.

Sudough · 03-27-2005, 11:15 PM

I'll try to get some pictures in the next day or so. I'm no expert on these things, by a long shot, but I could see no sign of scratching or filing ect. where you would expect to find a serial number.

Doug G. · 03-27-2005, 11:21 PM

You would normally find the full serial number on the front of the frame just ahead of the locking bolt. On the barrel except for some Mauser banners. On the front left side above the sideplate on military P.08's. The last two digits appear on most all small parts.
Good close ups of the front of the frame and the side will yield the best answers as the contour of this area would be changed if the numbers were ground off.

Edward Tinker · 03-28-2005, 12:58 AM

Doug good points.

To someone used to US GI pistols, serial number is on the left or right, a commercial luger would be in the hidden style and thus not as obvious to a guy, or even a normal luger marking is a bit different if it was say, a single or double digit, it might "look odd.

Ed

10e.licorne · 04-12-2005, 12:46 PM

some Luger bilt under the french control may have no marks . it was bilt with the german stock from 1942
a lot of then have only the serial number and some bilt on personal request for officier no serial number
may that will be the way ?

Vlim · 04-12-2005, 04:02 PM

It may also be just a low serial number, that isn't being interpreted as such.

Sudough · 04-24-2005, 10:17 PM

OK Guys, I think I may have found the serial number on this particular weapon. It would seem to be a two digit number. In the clear light of day I located the same number twice on the right side of the frame and once on the front of the frame. There was also a "mark" on the front of the frame above the 15 it looked something like a capitol "A" with half a slash through it. Thanks for the help along the way.

Edward Tinker · 04-24-2005, 10:51 PM

very possible.

pictures (many) would help us help you,

Ed

Sudough · 04-24-2005, 10:55 PM

I spent over an hour this afternoon, attempting to get some decent pictures. I had to use their comera, (digital) but the battery was low, then we tried using it while it was plugged in, way too much flash, if we get a nice sunny afternoon, I will try to get some pictures outside where I don't have to use a flash. Also, I will try to get them to let me use my own camera.

03-27-2005, 09:43 PM	#1
Sudough New User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: So. W. Oregon Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger Serial Numbers Howdy; A friend of mine has just become the proud owner of a German Luger. It seems to have no serial number? Is this possible? The weapon is in very good shape, with wood grip panels. Very few markings, other than the fancy DWM on the toggle. Any body have any information? It would be appreciated. As you may be able to tell, I don't know much about Luger pistols, but since I have a computer, I figured I could run down some answers for him. Thanks

04-12-2005, 12:46 PM	#8
10e.licorne User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: near Perpignan in France Posts: 85 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	some Luger bilt under the french control may have no marks . it was bilt with the german stock from 1942 a lot of then have only the serial number and some bilt on personal request for officier no serial number may that will be the way ? __________________ d'nt say i will do it .... do it

03-27-2005, 10:37 PM	#2
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Post as many pictures as you can. This will help to determine if the gun is original or has had the numbers removed. There are many possibilities, but most likely it has been messed with.

03-27-2005, 10:58 PM	#3
tudorbug Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 387 Thanks: 0 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	If there are no serial numbers, your friend may want to keep his head low in his foxhole. Removal of those numbers at some time in the past brings a number of images to mind, none of them good. Seems as if there has got to be a serial number, somewhere on that pistol. David

03-27-2005, 11:02 PM	#4
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	David, we have to keep our minds open. Remember that until GCA 1968 serial numbers were not required on all guns. I have seen WWII pistols that bore no serial numbers. These were usually parts guns made up after the war. I have also seen these with an ATF added serial number. I think that you might have to get a C2 to so this though.

03-27-2005, 11:15 PM	#5
Sudough New User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: So. W. Oregon Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'll try to get some pictures in the next day or so. I'm no expert on these things, by a long shot, but I could see no sign of scratching or filing ect. where you would expect to find a serial number.

03-27-2005, 11:21 PM	#6
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	You would normally find the full serial number on the front of the frame just ahead of the locking bolt. On the barrel except for some Mauser banners. On the front left side above the sideplate on military P.08's. The last two digits appear on most all small parts. Good close ups of the front of the frame and the side will yield the best answers as the contour of this area would be changed if the numbers were ground off.

03-28-2005, 12:58 AM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	Doug good points. To someone used to US GI pistols, serial number is on the left or right, a commercial luger would be in the hidden style and thus not as obvious to a guy, or even a normal luger marking is a bit different if it was say, a single or double digit, it might "look odd. Ed

04-12-2005, 04:02 PM	#9
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	It may also be just a low serial number, that isn't being interpreted as such.

04-24-2005, 10:17 PM	#10
Sudough New User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: So. W. Oregon Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK Guys, I think I may have found the serial number on this particular weapon. It would seem to be a two digit number. In the clear light of day I located the same number twice on the right side of the frame and once on the front of the frame. There was also a "mark" on the front of the frame above the 15 it looked something like a capitol "A" with half a slash through it. Thanks for the help along the way.

04-24-2005, 10:51 PM	#11
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	very possible. pictures (many) would help us help you, Ed

04-24-2005, 10:55 PM	#12
Sudough New User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: So. W. Oregon Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I spent over an hour this afternoon, attempting to get some decent pictures. I had to use their comera, (digital) but the battery was low, then we tried using it while it was plugged in, way too much flash, if we get a nice sunny afternoon, I will try to get some pictures outside where I don't have to use a flash. Also, I will try to get them to let me use my own camera.