Newbie with a DWM Luger

DoctorBob · 04-12-2017, 05:35 PM

Hi everyone!
I recently bought a Luger. I was hoping for any information anyone has. It is an undated DWM. The serial numbers all seem to match, except for the magazine. The serial number is 4311a. The proof marks are on the left side and are a bit hard to make out.

From my limited research, I think it may have been made between 1908 and 1910. It appears to be military, as there are some regimental markings on the front strap. Any ideas as to what I have, or what it's worth?

DonVoigt · 04-12-2017, 06:02 PM

Welcome here too.
The same guys largely frequent both boards.

Again, nice unit marked luger!

alanint · 04-12-2017, 08:45 PM

It looks like an original P08 with the added hold open. Nice addition to the collection!

Lugerdoc · 04-13-2017, 12:25 PM

Sir, You appear to have a refinished first issue military PO8, made in 1908 or 09. TH

DoctorBob · 04-13-2017, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't sure if it was rebelled or not. How can you tell?

George Anderson · 04-13-2017, 01:32 PM

I believe the finish is original. Take a look at the unit marking.

Norme · 04-13-2017, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorBob

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't sure if it was rebelled or not. How can you tell?

Hi Bob,
It's hard to tell from your photos. A clearer photo of the right side showing the end of the hold-open retaining pin and small inspection stamp will tell for sure. Early guns like yours (and mine in the photo below) were retro fitted with the hold-open device and the exposed end of it's retaining pin was left unblued and the small inspection mark, which was stamped through the finish, should show halos. If the pin has been blued and the inspection mark doesn't show halos, then the gun has been reblued.
Regards, Norm

Ron Wood · 04-13-2017, 04:49 PM

I'm with George...looks like original finish to me.
Ron

SteveM · 04-13-2017, 07:23 PM

I think it's unmolested as well, not so good pics can make it look non-original but there are other indicators that say it ain't so. Take some pics outside in the shade.

DoctorBob · 04-13-2017, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the info, Norme. Here are some close up pictures of the pin and the stamp. Hope these are good enough to tell. Looks original based on what you said.

Norme · 04-13-2017, 08:31 PM

Hi Bob,
Looks good to me too.
Regards, Norm

Lugerdoc · 04-14-2017, 10:51 AM

What I question is the receiver inspection marking and the serial suffix letter under the barrel, which appear to have been polished. TH

George Anderson · 04-14-2017, 11:08 AM

1908 first military Lugers are most often seen with very shallow acceptance and proof stamps.

04-12-2017, 05:35 PM	#1
DoctorBob New User Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 3 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Newbie with a DWM Luger Hi everyone! I recently bought a Luger. I was hoping for any information anyone has. It is an undated DWM. The serial numbers all seem to match, except for the magazine. The serial number is 4311a. The proof marks are on the left side and are a bit hard to make out. From my limited research, I think it may have been made between 1908 and 1910. It appears to be military, as there are some regimental markings on the front strap. Any ideas as to what I have, or what it's worth? Attached Thumbnails

04-12-2017, 06:02 PM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,678 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	Welcome here too. The same guys largely frequent both boards. Again, nice unit marked luger! __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

04-13-2017, 12:25 PM	#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	Sir, You appear to have a refinished first issue military PO8, made in 1908 or 09. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

04-13-2017, 04:49 PM	#8
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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	I'm with George...looks like original finish to me. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-13-2017, 07:23 PM	#9
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	I think it's unmolested as well, not so good pics can make it look non-original but there are other indicators that say it ain't so. Take some pics outside in the shade. Attached Thumbnails

04-12-2017, 08:45 PM	#3
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	It looks like an original P08 with the added hold open. Nice addition to the collection!

04-13-2017, 12:46 PM	#5
DoctorBob New User Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 3 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the replies. I wasn't sure if it was rebelled or not. How can you tell?

04-13-2017, 01:32 PM	#6
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	I believe the finish is original. Take a look at the unit marking.

04-13-2017, 08:21 PM	#10
DoctorBob New User Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 3 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the info, Norme. Here are some close up pictures of the pin and the stamp. Hope these are good enough to tell. Looks original based on what you said. Attached Thumbnails

04-13-2017, 08:31 PM	#11
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,415 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,594 Times in 931 Posts	Hi Bob, Looks good to me too. Regards, Norm

04-14-2017, 10:51 AM	#12
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	What I question is the receiver inspection marking and the serial suffix letter under the barrel, which appear to have been polished. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

04-14-2017, 11:08 AM	#13
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	1908 first military Lugers are most often seen with very shallow acceptance and proof stamps.