Question about a 1920's Commercial

TJ Hooker · 03-03-2008, 02:42 PM

Hello all,

I have acquired a Luger in 7.65mm that I believe to be one of the 20's commercial varrieties. Serial number is 10xxI, DWM on the toggle. Gun is in very good condition with all matching numbers.

My questions is:

What is the material on the bottom of the magazines? I have two magazines with mine that have aluminum bottoms on them. One of them has a single digit inscribed that matches the last number of the serial number. They appear, to me, to be aftermarket mags but the single matching digit has me questioning that. The bottoms are matte finish with aluminum with no coloring.

Any help would be appreciated. I plan on selling this gun and I am trying to provide the best possible description to any prospective buyers.

Thanks,

chris
ellmerc@mac.com

John Sabato · 03-03-2008, 02:54 PM

If it is an original magazine, the bottom will be either wood, aluminum (if it is metal) or bakelite.

You will get the best answers by posting good clear focus photos here on the forum...

BTW, welcome to the Luger forum!

alvin · 03-03-2008, 08:45 PM

The magazine confuses me big time. May I assume a "correct" (even mismatched) magazine for DWM should always have a wood bottom? I looked over all DWMs listed in Simpson, all of them have wood bottom except a reworked police 1920 (http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=4138). Looks like magazines for early guns were nickle plated, and were zinc plated for later ones. Currently, my rule of thumb is "avoiding non-wood magazine on DWM, and wood magazine on Mauser".... not sure that's correct or not.

Could you help to locate a magazine tutorial? Thanks.

=====

Or compose one, if possible.

Lugerdoc · 03-04-2008, 07:07 AM

Alvin, The correct magazine for your 20 Commerical luger, would be one with an unnumbered wood bottom, so I wouldn't worry about any of the aluminum numbered mags being a match. TH

alvin · 03-04-2008, 07:33 AM

Thanks for the info. It does have "23" at the wood bottom, Ed said it's odd, but it could be accepted for the time period.

In general, could a non-wood bottom magazine for DWM valid? ....maybe except a few very late Weimar lugers? For example, if I saw a aluminum magazine on DWM 1918 or Erfurt 1914, does it stand any chance being correct?

TJ Hooker · 03-04-2008, 12:46 PM

Here are some pics of the Luger that I had questions about at the beginning of this thread. I think it's a 1920s commercial but I am open to feedback if you have other information. One of the mags is marked Erma, made in Germany (aftermarket repro?) The other has no markings except for the number 5 on the bottom. The bottom is aluminum.

Thanks for the help. Like I said, I am getting ready to sell this so you info helps to prospective buyer and helps me establish an asking price. My best estimate is around $1000. Please correct me on this also if I am off.

- Chris

TJ Hooker · 03-04-2008, 12:47 PM

Not sure how to post multiple pics.

TJ Hooker · 03-04-2008, 12:48 PM

Not sure how to post multiple pics.

TJ Hooker · 03-04-2008, 12:49 PM

Not sure how to post multiple pics.

MFC · 03-04-2008, 10:51 PM

Chris,
Your luger is more recently known as an DWM Alphabet Commercial (formerly 1920 commercial). The suffix is a lower case "L". The correct mag would have a wood bottom, either blank or stamped GERMANY. The thumb safety looks like it is blued in the photos, it should be strawed.
Mike C.

03-03-2008, 02:42 PM	#1
TJ Hooker User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Question about a 1920's Commercial Hello all, I have acquired a Luger in 7.65mm that I believe to be one of the 20's commercial varrieties. Serial number is 10xxI, DWM on the toggle. Gun is in very good condition with all matching numbers. My questions is: What is the material on the bottom of the magazines? I have two magazines with mine that have aluminum bottoms on them. One of them has a single digit inscribed that matches the last number of the serial number. They appear, to me, to be aftermarket mags but the single matching digit has me questioning that. The bottoms are matte finish with aluminum with no coloring. Any help would be appreciated. I plan on selling this gun and I am trying to provide the best possible description to any prospective buyers. Thanks, chris ellmerc@mac.com

03-03-2008, 02:54 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	If it is an original magazine, the bottom will be either wood, aluminum (if it is metal) or bakelite. You will get the best answers by posting good clear focus photos here on the forum... BTW, welcome to the Luger forum! __________________ 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..."*

03-04-2008, 07:07 AM	#4
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	Alvin, The correct magazine for your 20 Commerical luger, would be one with an unnumbered wood bottom, so I wouldn't worry about any of the aluminum numbered mags being a match. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

03-04-2008, 12:46 PM	#6
TJ Hooker User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pics of my Luger Here are some pics of the Luger that I had questions about at the beginning of this thread. I think it's a 1920s commercial but I am open to feedback if you have other information. One of the mags is marked Erma, made in Germany (aftermarket repro?) The other has no markings except for the number 5 on the bottom. The bottom is aluminum. Thanks for the help. Like I said, I am getting ready to sell this so you info helps to prospective buyer and helps me establish an asking price. My best estimate is around $1000. Please correct me on this also if I am off. - Chris Attached Thumbnails

03-04-2008, 12:47 PM	#7
TJ Hooker User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another Pic Not sure how to post multiple pics. Attached Thumbnails

03-03-2008, 08:45 PM	#3
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	The magazine confuses me big time. May I assume a "correct" (even mismatched) magazine for DWM should always have a wood bottom? I looked over all DWMs listed in Simpson, all of them have wood bottom except a reworked police 1920 (http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=4138). Looks like magazines for early guns were nickle plated, and were zinc plated for later ones. Currently, my rule of thumb is "avoiding non-wood magazine on DWM, and wood magazine on Mauser".... not sure that's correct or not. Could you help to locate a magazine tutorial? Thanks. ===== Or compose one, if possible.

03-04-2008, 07:33 AM	#5
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Thanks for the info. It does have "23" at the wood bottom, Ed said it's odd, but it could be accepted for the time period. In general, could a non-wood bottom magazine for DWM valid? ....maybe except a few very late Weimar lugers? For example, if I saw a aluminum magazine on DWM 1918 or Erfurt 1914, does it stand any chance being correct?

03-04-2008, 12:48 PM	#8
TJ Hooker User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another. Not sure how to post multiple pics. Attached Thumbnails

03-04-2008, 12:49 PM	#9
TJ Hooker User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Last one Not sure how to post multiple pics. Attached Thumbnails

03-04-2008, 10:51 PM	#10
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Chris, Your luger is more recently known as an DWM Alphabet Commercial (formerly 1920 commercial). The suffix is a lower case "L". The correct mag would have a wood bottom, either blank or stamped GERMANY. The thumb safety looks like it is blued in the photos, it should be strawed. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.