new to me Luger-it needs help!!

[sovblocgunfan]

Hi, everyone,

I now possess a new-to-me Luger that I need some help with. I am working on photos, but am having difficulty getting the quality I need to post good ones for benefit of the forum.

While I work on that I've done some research. I know my way around a milsurp, but am new to Lugers. I've field stripped it but haven't detail stripped it due to condition problems. Here's what I've found so far:

1917 DWM, ser XX48 g series, mid-four digits. No second year stamp. What caliber is this in?
All numbers I've been able to find match. Last 2 ser # digits (all reading 48) in obvious view makes it a military pistol, based on FAQ found in this forum. Although wood-bottomed, the magazine does not show any visible markings that I can see. German wording on safety area and no "Germany" import stamp. No other import markings. A very few parts have N in circle stamped on them (front sight, etc). Pistol has four proof marks on right side of frame. There is a number M 13324 electropenciled on the front strap. Any ideas what this means? Any help in ID'ing this pistol further is greatly appreciated.

Overall, pistol is in generally poor condition and I am not sure it functions properly. Toggle action is syrupy and will not latch in place; will not return to battery without assistance. It appears the pistol was chromed a very long time ago. The chrome on the latch plate is beginning to crack and a small patch .25" in length is flaked away. Chrome finish = maybe 65%, with significant wear on user contact areas. Rust present over chrome in many places. Mag well has a fine coating of rust, which has transferred to the mag. Should a correct magazine for this pistol be blued or aluminum? Bore condition shows to be poor, although reflective of the overall condition of the gun. It will likely clean up significantly as little to no rifling shows at this time. Grips have not been removed yet, but the left one exhibits the million dollar chip and overall are heavily worn, matching the overall wear on the gun. Lots of nicks, etc on these, and the checkering around the backstrap is worn smooth. Someone has crudely carved the letter H on the left grip close just south of the frame.

The person I got it from says "it came from the war". If so it has been separated from its bringback papers, but knowing this person as I do it wouldn't surprise me if it were a legit bringback. He states the pistol stayed in the family after it was brought home, and he is the third family owner. Looks to me like I have a very neglected Luger that may have potential for a first-quality restoration. What do I have here? I have a couple of options on what to do with this pistol. 1: Clean it, repair it and shoot it. 2: Clean it, de-rust it, repair it, buy replacement parts to install and use while saving the originals, shoot it. 3: Give it a first class best-quality restoration. I figure the value is diminished significantly enough due to the rust and chrome that a restoration may actually be appropriate in this case because it appears to be all-matching. Opinions sought. HELP!

Thanks,
Justin