Help with DWM Luger

three-steps · 11-26-2010, 05:04 PM

I need a little help with this Luger, which a guy at work is trying to sell for $600.00. I have seen it one time ( for a minute about a year ago) .It is a DWM serial # 45X. there were no date or military marks. All the numbers match,except the mag, and it is in good condition.Can any one help me ID it ( I think it may be a 1920 ish, Commercial Luger, and is $600.00 a fair current price?

LugerVern · 11-26-2010, 05:18 PM

Please obtain a couple of pictures if at all possible, so we can help you properly.

There are many many variables.

thanks

Vern

FNorm · 11-26-2010, 06:41 PM

Also find out if it is 9mm or 7.65mm/30 cal luger. A lot of the 1920-ish commercials were the 30 cal.

FN

Edward Tinker · 11-26-2010, 10:53 PM

Still, if in decent shape, $600 is a good price, no matter what it is...

If the guy was asking a $1,000 then I would be inclined to worry more, but $600 is a shooter price of either caliber...

Ed

three-steps · 11-29-2010, 08:20 PM

Here are some photos. The guy let me post these photos only if I black out the last serial number. From the photos can anyone help me to ID it and what it is worth?

I do not know how to post on this forum so I post them on photobucket:

http://s710.photobucket.com/albums/w...rent%3Dl-6.jpg

mrerick · 11-29-2010, 08:33 PM

8.82 on the barrel refers to the distance between lands. It's a 9mm Luger.

What does the top of the receiver, and what do the proof marks look like.

Witness marks line up. Original barrel.

Probably in original finish. The script letter under the 3 digit number on the frame is a suffix, and part of the serial number.

Are all the numbers matching? The receiver match the frame and barrel? If not, it's a shooter grade.

So far from what I see, I'd buy it at $600 if all matching.

DavidJayUden · 11-29-2010, 08:36 PM

I can't see much by the photos. If it is matching $600 is reasonable. I still need to know 9mm or .30 cal? Numbers on the sideplate suggest military. No date over the chamber? Any sign that it has been ground off?

DavidJayUden · 11-29-2010, 08:38 PM

I see now that it is 9mm.

MFC · 11-30-2010, 12:32 AM

I beleive the firing proof on the barrel is a Weimar dove. If so, it was originally dated 1920 or 1921 (military issue). It should also have the same proof on the right side of the receiver. If the date and proofs were removed, it was probably to sell on the commercial market. Is 'Germany' stamped anywhere on it?

three-steps · 11-30-2010, 07:32 AM

I checked pretty good for the "Germany" mark, but it is not marked "Germany" . If they removed the date and marks, they did a pretty good job, it dose not look like a re-blue job. Would the low serial number be right for the early 20's?

Hugo Borchardt · 11-30-2010, 09:05 AM

Welcome to the forum. I can't tell if the suffix below the serial # is a script L or a B.

http://www.lugerforum.com/Suffixes/Suffixes.htm

It looks like an early style B. But the serial #'s are repeated every 10,000. We call this a block. So #45X b would be 2045x, and #45x L would be #12045x. I'm probably off on my counting this morning (no coffee yet) but you get the general idea.

I'd check the bore to make sure it is decent if you plan on shooting it, but $600 is a decent price for any decent Luger IMO.

MFC · 12-01-2010, 01:02 AM

I think the suffix is a 'b', which is not a commercial S#. This and the military firing proof on the barrel make me beleive that a date and military proofs were removed.

11-26-2010, 06:41 PM	#3
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Also find out if it is 9mm or 7.65mm/30 cal luger. A lot of the 1920-ish commercials were the 30 cal. FN Last edited by FNorm; 11-26-2010 at 06:42 PM. Reason: sp

11-29-2010, 08:33 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	8.82 on the barrel refers to the distance between lands. It's a 9mm Luger. What does the top of the receiver, and what do the proof marks look like. Witness marks line up. Original barrel. Probably in original finish. The script letter under the 3 digit number on the frame is a suffix, and part of the serial number. Are all the numbers matching? The receiver match the frame and barrel? If not, it's a shooter grade. So far from what I see, I'd buy it at $600 if all matching. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-30-2010, 12:32 AM	#9
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	I beleive the firing proof on the barrel is a Weimar dove. If so, it was originally dated 1920 or 1921 (military issue). It should also have the same proof on the right side of the receiver. If the date and proofs were removed, it was probably to sell on the commercial market. Is 'Germany' stamped anywhere on it? __________________ Mike C.

11-30-2010, 09:05 AM	#11
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 370 Thanks: 338 Thanked 131 Times in 47 Posts	Welcome to the forum. I can't tell if the suffix below the serial # is a script L or a B. http://www.lugerforum.com/Suffixes/Suffixes.htm It looks like an early style B. But the serial #'s are repeated every 10,000. We call this a block. So #45X b would be 2045x, and #45x L would be #12045x. I'm probably off on my counting this morning (no coffee yet) but you get the general idea. I'd check the bore to make sure it is decent if you plan on shooting it, but $600 is a decent price for any decent Luger IMO. __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm

11-26-2010, 05:04 PM	#1
three-steps User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help with DWM Luger I need a little help with this Luger, which a guy at work is trying to sell for $600.00. I have seen it one time ( for a minute about a year ago) .It is a DWM serial # 45X. there were no date or military marks. All the numbers match,except the mag, and it is in good condition.Can any one help me ID it ( I think it may be a 1920 ish, Commercial Luger, and is $600.00 a fair current price?

11-26-2010, 05:18 PM	#2
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Please obtain a couple of pictures if at all possible, so we can help you properly. There are many many variables. thanks Vern

11-26-2010, 10:53 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Still, if in decent shape, $600 is a good price, no matter what it is... If the guy was asking a $1,000 then I would be inclined to worry more, but $600 is a shooter price of either caliber... 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

11-29-2010, 08:20 PM	#5
three-steps User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here are some photos. The guy let me post these photos only if I black out the last serial number. From the photos can anyone help me to ID it and what it is worth? I do not know how to post on this forum so I post them on photobucket: http://s710.photobucket.com/albums/w...rent%3Dl-6.jpg

11-29-2010, 08:36 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I can't see much by the photos. If it is matching $600 is reasonable. I still need to know 9mm or .30 cal? Numbers on the sideplate suggest military. No date over the chamber? Any sign that it has been ground off?

11-29-2010, 08:38 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I see now that it is 9mm.

11-30-2010, 07:32 AM	#10
three-steps User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I checked pretty good for the "Germany" mark, but it is not marked "Germany" . If they removed the date and marks, they did a pretty good job, it dose not look like a re-blue job. Would the low serial number be right for the early 20's?

12-01-2010, 01:02 AM	#12
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	I think the suffix is a 'b', which is not a commercial S#. This and the military firing proof on the barrel make me beleive that a date and military proofs were removed. __________________ Mike C.