Just got my first Luger and need some help

HogLegJack · 02-08-2004, 03:19 PM

I have just purchased a Luger in what appears to be .30 Luger as 9mm will not chamber.Only thing on it are the DWM togle,"germany" in enlish on left side of chamber surmounted by a Crowned N,the same crown/n on the underside of the barrle with 641 under it and what appears to be a stylized "Q" proof of some sort,"Gesichert" (Safe) on the left rear of the reciever. 41 is also stamped on the togle under the rear site.
Anyone know if this is just a parts gun or some late war issue?
I also need a good source for .30 Luger ammo.
This is a shooter and not a wall hanger.
Thanks

Doubs · 02-08-2004, 03:53 PM

Look on the underside of the sideplate and the locking bolt (take-down lever). If each has the numbers 41 stamped there then you have a 1920 Commercial..... also known as an "Alphabet" Commercial. If the front of the frame has the same 641 and the suffix letter under it, then you have a matching Luger.

If matching, your Luger was produced new in the mid-1920's for the export market and targeted for an English-speaking country.... likely the USA. They are very nicely made pistols.

The 1920 Commercial is the most frequently encountered Luger of all and probably the least expensive. The good news is, they are great shooters and the .30 Luger cartridge is very accurate and reliable. Winchester and Fiocchi both market factory .30 Luger cartridges although they're somewhat expensive. Reloading is your other option.

If you have the means, we'd all appreciate pictures of your Luger.... closeups if possible.

HogLegJack · 02-08-2004, 05:11 PM

Well..it appears I do have a 1920 Commercial as the 41 does appear everywhere you mention.It is in what I consider NRA Excellent condition.The two magazines that came with it are NOT original (Mec-Gar) but as this is going to be a shooter not a hanger I am not displeased.I WILL post photos of it later but I do not see an "attach photo" prompt on the page so I may need instruction on how to do it.
Thanks a ton Byron from an old Georgia boy (Brunswick) who retired to Texas
HLJ

Edward Tinker · 02-08-2004, 05:42 PM

HLJ, there is a Upload Photos on the left of the forum, provided you came in through www.lugerforum.com

There is also a tutorial under the help at the top of the message page also.

Welcome to the forum!

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 02-08-2004, 05:48 PM

...And of course, our photo-editing master, Tom A., will always help out someone struggling with their 1st. photo postings...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

HogLegJack · 02-08-2004, 07:37 PM

Here's one photo for now,more to come when I get a little more time.
This is a GREAT forum....thanks for the help.
BTW...any idea what year the s/n 641 would have been made?
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/luger_copy3.jpg

HogLegJack · 02-08-2004, 07:48 PM

this may be better...sorry about that

Doubs · 02-08-2004, 08:08 PM

HLJ, that's a decent looking 1920 and should be a fine shooter.

Somewhat similar to you growing up in GA and retiring to TX, I grew up in MD and landed in GA at the end of my military career. I like it here so I stayed. Besides, MD has gotten much too crowded to suit me but this area is rapidly reaching that point too. I like rural and not too many people.

HogLegJack · 02-08-2004, 08:54 PM

I'm retired from the military also.Retired 1 April 03.
7 years Army and 13 years Navy.
Now 100% disabled so I'm REALLY retired

Edward Tinker · 02-08-2004, 09:48 PM

John, there are lots of former / retired military here, and I retired 31 Jan 00, so now I have to work for a living,

Nice Luger, but of course, I haven't met many i didn't like!

Ed

RockinWR · 02-08-2004, 11:39 PM

John,
<blockquote>quote:<hr /> with 641 under it and what appears to be a stylized "Q" proof of some sort <hr /></blockquote>* As you've probably learned by now, the lower case "q" is part of the S/N and not a proof.
* Per Jan Still's Weimar Lugers, Table 1b, Pg.15, your DWM, S/N 641q was made about April, 1927; give or take a month.
Respectfully,
Bob

Pete Ebbink · 02-09-2004, 12:27 AM

Hello John,

Your grips appear (from the photo) to be original or at least very old. You might want to consider getting some VOPO grips and use them when you take your new luger prize out to the range...saving some wear & tear on your wooden pair.

These are fairly easy to get and usually run around $ 25-40/pair...

Regards,

Pete...

Doubs · 02-09-2004, 02:37 AM

Pete, I think SARCO has them for less than $20. (I could be wrong about that, though.) They advertise them in the Shotgun News at least once in every three issues.

Steve Richards · 02-09-2004, 08:47 PM

I have found a source for .30cal ammo at:ammoman2@msn.com

The last batch that I bought was $85.00/250rds. It functions without problems in my 1906AE, 1970's Mauser and a stainless steel.

I am not connected to him except as a customer.

Pete Ebbink · 02-09-2004, 08:58 PM

Hello Walker,

Your are correct about Sarco stocking them...but their prices went up to an astounding $ 25.00/pair...

http://www.sarcoinc.com/lgr.html

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

02-08-2004, 03:19 PM	#1
HogLegJack User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just got my first Luger and need some help I have just purchased a Luger in what appears to be .30 Luger as 9mm will not chamber.Only thing on it are the DWM togle,"germany" in enlish on left side of chamber surmounted by a Crowned N,the same crown/n on the underside of the barrle with 641 under it and what appears to be a stylized "Q" proof of some sort,"Gesichert" (Safe) on the left rear of the reciever. 41 is also stamped on the togle under the rear site. Anyone know if this is just a parts gun or some late war issue? I also need a good source for .30 Luger ammo. This is a shooter and not a wall hanger. Thanks

02-08-2004, 05:42 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	HLJ, there is a Upload Photos on the left of the forum, provided you came in through www.lugerforum.com There is also a tutorial under the help at the top of the message page also. Welcome to the forum! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-08-2004, 09:48 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	John, there are lots of former / retired military here, and I retired 31 Jan 00, so now I have to work for a living, Nice Luger, but of course, I haven't met many i didn't like! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-08-2004, 11:39 PM	#11
RockinWR User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: D/FW, Tx Posts: 279 Thanks: 109 Thanked 31 Times in 16 Posts	John, </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"> with 641 under it and what appears to be a stylized "Q" proof of some sort </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">* As you've probably learned by now, the lower case "q" is part of the S/N and not a proof. * Per Jan Still's Weimar Lugers, Table 1b, Pg.15, your DWM, S/N 641q was made about April, 1927; give or take a month. Respectfully, Bob

02-08-2004, 03:53 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 790 Thanked 1,675 Times in 550 Posts	Look on the underside of the sideplate and the locking bolt (take-down lever). If each has the numbers 41 stamped there then you have a 1920 Commercial..... also known as an "Alphabet" Commercial. If the front of the frame has the same 641 and the suffix letter under it, then you have a matching Luger. If matching, your Luger was produced new in the mid-1920's for the export market and targeted for an English-speaking country.... likely the USA. They are very nicely made pistols. The 1920 Commercial is the most frequently encountered Luger of all and probably the least expensive. The good news is, they are great shooters and the .30 Luger cartridge is very accurate and reliable. Winchester and Fiocchi both market factory .30 Luger cartridges although they're somewhat expensive. Reloading is your other option. If you have the means, we'd all appreciate pictures of your Luger.... closeups if possible.

02-08-2004, 05:11 PM	#3
HogLegJack User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well..it appears I do have a 1920 Commercial as the 41 does appear everywhere you mention.It is in what I consider NRA Excellent condition.The two magazines that came with it are NOT original (Mec-Gar) but as this is going to be a shooter not a hanger I am not displeased.I WILL post photos of it later but I do not see an "attach photo" prompt on the page so I may need instruction on how to do it. Thanks a ton Byron from an old Georgia boy (Brunswick) who retired to Texas HLJ

02-08-2004, 05:48 PM	#5
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	...And of course, our photo-editing master, Tom A., will always help out someone struggling with their 1st. photo postings... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

02-08-2004, 07:37 PM	#6
HogLegJack User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here's one photo for now,more to come when I get a little more time. This is a GREAT forum....thanks for the help. BTW...any idea what year the s/n 641 would have been made? http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/luger_copy3.jpg

02-08-2004, 07:48 PM	#7
HogLegJack User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	this may be better...sorry about that

02-08-2004, 08:08 PM	#8
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 790 Thanked 1,675 Times in 550 Posts	HLJ, that's a decent looking 1920 and should be a fine shooter. Somewhat similar to you growing up in GA and retiring to TX, I grew up in MD and landed in GA at the end of my military career. I like it here so I stayed. Besides, MD has gotten much too crowded to suit me but this area is rapidly reaching that point too. I like rural and not too many people.

02-08-2004, 08:54 PM	#9
HogLegJack User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm retired from the military also.Retired 1 April 03. 7 years Army and 13 years Navy. Now 100% disabled so I'm REALLY retired

02-09-2004, 12:27 AM	#12
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello John, Your grips appear (from the photo) to be original or at least very old. You might want to consider getting some VOPO grips and use them when you take your new luger prize out to the range...saving some wear & tear on your wooden pair. These are fairly easy to get and usually run around $ 25-40/pair... Regards, Pete...

02-09-2004, 02:37 AM	#13
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 790 Thanked 1,675 Times in 550 Posts	Pete, I think SARCO has them for less than $20. (I could be wrong about that, though.) They advertise them in the Shotgun News at least once in every three issues.

02-09-2004, 08:47 PM	#14
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have found a source for .30cal ammo at:ammoman2@msn.com The last batch that I bought was $85.00/250rds. It functions without problems in my 1906AE, 1970's Mauser and a stainless steel. I am not connected to him except as a customer.

02-09-2004, 08:58 PM	#15
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Walker, Your are correct about Sarco stocking them...but their prices went up to an astounding $ 25.00/pair... http://www.sarcoinc.com/lgr.html Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />