Help with DWM 1917

molzy · 09-03-2006, 01:36 PM

I have inherited a luger DWM 1917 and I'm trying to get more information so that I understand more about it. I'm wondering how you evaluate the condition and what you need to know to establish value.

I know this was owned by my father-in-law for a number of years and I don't think it was reconditioned (how could you tell?). External numbers match but I haven't taken it apart yet because I haven't figured out how. There is a matching magazine and a tool but no holster.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy2.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy3.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy4.jpg

Any help is appreciated. Sorry if I appear kind of dumb, I have only started trying to figure this out a couple of weeks ago.

the gunman · 09-03-2006, 02:08 PM

The gun is import marked and appears to be refinished. Which will greatly lower the value of the piece.

molzy · 09-03-2006, 02:26 PM

What is import marked? How can you tell if it has been refinished?

Sorry, I don't know anything about this stuff.

Aaron · 09-03-2006, 05:02 PM

The import markings are on the right side of the gun in very small letters and show the name of the company which brought it into the country for commercial sales. In other words, it was not a GI war trophy. The finish shows a kind of sand blasted surface and the color is wrong, hence not the original smooth blued finish. Lastly, the magazine is not original, as it should have a wood base, so if it has a matching number it was added to the magazine to deceive the buyer.

Lugerdoc · 09-04-2006, 09:26 AM

Molzy, I believe that some of the above comments may be incorrect. I do see an area of small pits or letter above the right grip, that may be a Sarco import marking (they are usually in this area), but with all the remaining straw and fire blue on the small parts, I would say that the finish is original or at very least, refinish in the early 1930s when the Police sear safety was added. Your one wood bottomed mag is probably original WW1 production as is the luger. The Schmeisser extruded mag is definately a later addition, perhaps even DDR renumbered, but can't tell without seeing the numbers on the bottom. Good find, TH

Hugh · 09-04-2006, 11:38 AM

I agree with Tom, finish looks original or old arsenal refinish. This one sure has a lot of "made in Germany" & "Germany" stamps, usually there is only one.

molzy · 09-04-2006, 11:46 AM

Ah, those import marks. Yes, they were aquired 3 years ago when we imported the gun collection from Canada to the US, where we live now. It seemed a better idea than handing them over to the RCMP for disposal.

No idea about the Germany stamps I guess somebody got carried away?

Thanks for the info everybody.

molzy · 09-11-2006, 01:21 PM

So, if I wanted to establish a value for sale, would it be best to get these appraised by someone local? Sell to a dealer or put them up for auction?

09-03-2006, 01:36 PM	#1
molzy New User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help with DWM 1917 I have inherited a luger DWM 1917 and I'm trying to get more information so that I understand more about it. I'm wondering how you evaluate the condition and what you need to know to establish value. I know this was owned by my father-in-law for a number of years and I don't think it was reconditioned (how could you tell?). External numbers match but I haven't taken it apart yet because I haven't figured out how. There is a matching magazine and a tool but no holster. http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy1.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy2.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy3.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/molzy4.jpg Any help is appreciated. Sorry if I appear kind of dumb, I have only started trying to figure this out a couple of weeks ago.

09-04-2006, 09:26 AM	#5
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	Molzy, I believe that some of the above comments may be incorrect. I do see an area of small pits or letter above the right grip, that may be a Sarco import marking (they are usually in this area), but with all the remaining straw and fire blue on the small parts, I would say that the finish is original or at very least, refinish in the early 1930s when the Police sear safety was added. Your one wood bottomed mag is probably original WW1 production as is the luger. The Schmeisser extruded mag is definately a later addition, perhaps even DDR renumbered, but can't tell without seeing the numbers on the bottom. Good find, TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

09-04-2006, 11:38 AM	#6
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	I agree with Tom, finish looks original or old arsenal refinish. This one sure has a lot of "made in Germany" & "Germany" stamps, usually there is only one. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

09-03-2006, 02:08 PM	#2
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	The gun is import marked and appears to be refinished. Which will greatly lower the value of the piece.

09-03-2006, 02:26 PM	#3
molzy New User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What is import marked? How can you tell if it has been refinished? Sorry, I don't know anything about this stuff.

09-03-2006, 05:02 PM	#4
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	The import markings are on the right side of the gun in very small letters and show the name of the company which brought it into the country for commercial sales. In other words, it was not a GI war trophy. The finish shows a kind of sand blasted surface and the color is wrong, hence not the original smooth blued finish. Lastly, the magazine is not original, as it should have a wood base, so if it has a matching number it was added to the magazine to deceive the buyer.

09-04-2006, 11:46 AM	#7
molzy New User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ah, those import marks. Yes, they were aquired 3 years ago when we imported the gun collection from Canada to the US, where we live now. It seemed a better idea than handing them over to the RCMP for disposal. No idea about the Germany stamps I guess somebody got carried away? Thanks for the info everybody.

09-11-2006, 01:21 PM	#8
molzy New User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So, if I wanted to establish a value for sale, would it be best to get these appraised by someone local? Sell to a dealer or put them up for auction?