Magazine Identification - Need Help, Please

Luke · 03-02-2005, 07:40 AM

Just received the Imperial magazine shown in the image below. The serial number is clearly 6843, and the suffix appears to be a lower case German "u" character.

In "Imperial Lugers" on page 15, Jan Still lists reported serial numbers for Imperial Lugers, and ONLY the 1917 DWM LP08 shows serial numbers in the "U" range.

Am I correct in reading the suffix as a German script "u" ?

Does anyone have later information on serial number ranges for Imperial Lugers?

Thanks for your help.

Luke

John Sabato · 03-02-2005, 08:34 AM

Luke, I concur that this is definitely a lowercase "U"... for whatever help that is to you...

RockinWR · 03-02-2005, 09:23 PM

Luke,
* I'd vote for an "a" suffix. The height of the two vertical legs of a "u" are usually the same height. This one shows the r/h vertical leg terminating higher than the l/H leg. Also, the r/h leg seems to have an arc emminating from near its top curling left over to what should have been the top closure of an "a" with the left leg.
* IJMHO.
* Check out the suffix letters in the Technical Info section of this Forum. See which is closer.
* Of course, you could always offer this mag to me and let me worry about the suffix. A dichotomy I'd like to contemplate.
* Hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Bob

policeluger · 03-02-2005, 09:45 PM

Compared it to an "a" I have, I vote for "a"...

Ron Wood · 03-02-2005, 10:21 PM

As long as we are voting here, I guess I might as well throw my support behind the "a" candidate. Looks like the die that struck it may have been damaged causing the missing part of the arc.

Luke · 03-04-2005, 07:10 AM

Thanks for the inputs. I was pretty certain that it was a "u" but the "a" is certainly a possibility if the die was damaged.

As to the other part of my question, "Imperial Lugers" indicates that in all the Imperials reported only the 1917 LP08 went as high as the "u" suffix. Anyone have any later data?

Luke

George Anderson · 03-04-2005, 07:31 AM

No data on the "u question" but it is an "a". Probably a chipped dye.

03-02-2005, 07:40 AM	#1
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Magazine Identification - Need Help, Please Just received the Imperial magazine shown in the image below. The serial number is clearly 6843, and the suffix appears to be a lower case German "u" character. In "Imperial Lugers" on page 15, Jan Still lists reported serial numbers for Imperial Lugers, and ONLY the 1917 DWM LP08 shows serial numbers in the "U" range. Am I correct in reading the suffix as a German script "u" ? Does anyone have later information on serial number ranges for Imperial Lugers? Thanks for your help. Luke Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

03-02-2005, 08:34 AM	#2
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	Luke, I concur that this is definitely a lowercase "U"... for whatever help that is to you... __________________ 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..."*

03-02-2005, 10:21 PM	#5
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	As long as we are voting here, I guess I might as well throw my support behind the "a" candidate. Looks like the die that struck it may have been damaged causing the missing part of the arc. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-04-2005, 07:10 AM	#6
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Thanks for the inputs. I was pretty certain that it was a "u" but the "a" is certainly a possibility if the die was damaged. As to the other part of my question, "Imperial Lugers" indicates that in all the Imperials reported only the 1917 LP08 went as high as the "u" suffix. Anyone have any later data? Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

03-02-2005, 09:23 PM	#3
RockinWR User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: D/FW, Tx Posts: 279 Thanks: 109 Thanked 31 Times in 16 Posts	Luke, * I'd vote for an "a" suffix. The height of the two vertical legs of a "u" are usually the same height. This one shows the r/h vertical leg terminating higher than the l/H leg. Also, the r/h leg seems to have an arc emminating from near its top curling left over to what should have been the top closure of an "a" with the left leg. * IJMHO. * Check out the suffix letters in the Technical Info section of this Forum. See which is closer. * Of course, you could always offer this mag to me and let me worry about the suffix. A dichotomy I'd like to contemplate. * Hope this helps. Respectfully, Bob

03-02-2005, 09:45 PM	#4
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Compared it to an "a" I have, I vote for "a"...

03-04-2005, 07:31 AM	#7
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	No data on the "u question" but it is an "a". Probably a chipped dye.