Luger 1911 DMW..My first!

Stan · 11-15-2011, 06:53 AM

I have gotten my first Luger!! I'm would like to know more about the model I have and what it's worth. It has 1911 on the top-front frame, DMW on the frame, just behind the barrel. 533 serial number with 33 on various parts. The clip has no number at all on it and no wooden part. The wooden grips are nice for the age of the gun. I can find no markings at all on the barrel. (I have not disassembled the gun) There is a “stylized f or r” ( think) under the serial number. On the front of the handle is faintly inscribed “R.1.T.S.1” then in smaller print “143” There are two marks on the right side above the trigger both marks have a crown on top with what looks like an anchor under one shield and a shield under the other. The blueing is in excellent condition. The action will not lock open.

George Anderson · 11-15-2011, 09:56 AM

Stan, I'll wager that the grip strap marking is actually B.1.T.S.1.143. May we see photos of both the grip strap marking and the serial number on the front of the frame beneath the barrel? As the grip strap marking indicates that the pistol was issued to a Bavarian unit it will not have a hold-open device.

Steinar · 11-15-2011, 10:07 AM

Seems like it's without stock attachment from the pictures. Another indication that it's probably Bavarian.. Sadly it looks reblued.

calibrator · 11-15-2011, 10:44 AM

Hey Stan ! This pistol has been re-blued, the parts that should be "strawed" were also re-blued. Would like to see a picture of the rear grip strap towards the bottom, where the stock lug normally is. The mag is a modern MecGar (made in Italy) a good reliable mag for a shooter. As far as value, $700 + - $100 is what most here will likely say. Take it to the range and enjoy it. Lugers are suprisingly accurate, if you do your part.

George Anderson · 11-15-2011, 12:02 PM

1911 Lugers do not have stock lugs. Stock lugs on P08s were not introduced until mid 1913.

Stan · 11-15-2011, 12:04 PM

Three more pics... Stan

wlyon · 11-15-2011, 05:11 PM

Agree' ground and definately reblued. Value around $600. Bill.

SteveM · 11-15-2011, 07:55 PM

As George already said, no stock lugs on 1911's. Unless it is mismatched and has a mid 1913 or later frame.

nukem556 · 11-15-2011, 08:24 PM

I never can understand what these "craftsmen" are doing as they grind and buff every marking and edge off a gun like this....they can't SEE what they're doing?

alanint · 11-15-2011, 08:53 PM

Back when most of this was done, nobody cared about any significance attached to the markings or proofs. The idea was to stop a pistol from rusting and to put it back into shootable condition. If they had cared about the same things we do today, most reblues would have never happened and the original finish would have been left intact.
It's like repainting a contemporary car. Not a big deal now but some collector 100 years from now might be thinking what an idiot you were for ruining this "classic".

Stan · 11-16-2011, 11:36 AM

Hey Guys Thanks for the input. The markings on the grip (metal front) “B.1.T.S.1” then in smaller print “143” What does it signify? Is is WWI or WWII?

Stan

George Anderson · 11-16-2011, 12:16 PM

Bavarian 1st Train Battalion, Sanitaets Copmpany 1, weapon number 143. A Sanitaets company was an ambulance company. The pistol was issued to a combat medic.

Stan · 11-16-2011, 02:34 PM

WWI or WWII?

DavidJayUden · 11-16-2011, 03:00 PM

Ww1

Norme · 11-16-2011, 03:13 PM

Hi Stan, Here's a photo of a WW1 combat medic, this one's an Iron Cross winner. Regards, Norm

glock30 · 11-19-2011, 12:10 PM

I Love these guys moustache's . Is this the guy that reblued it????...

LOL

alanint · 11-19-2011, 01:36 PM

Very common for Germans to emulate their leaders look. The Kaiser wore a mustache like this, so it was widely copied. Just like Germans in WW2 adopting the silly Hitler moustache.

cirelaw · 01-02-2012, 06:27 PM

Did our medics carried a sidearm besides a scalpel too?

alanint · 01-02-2012, 08:17 PM

No, with rare exceptions, (The Pacific Campaign, where the Japanese had no compunction about shooting medics, saw some USMC medics carry sidearms).

cirelaw · 01-02-2012, 08:34 PM

Man That Sugged!

11-15-2011, 06:53 AM	#1
Stan New User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger 1911 DMW..My first! I have gotten my first Luger!! I'm would like to know more about the model I have and what it's worth. It has 1911 on the top-front frame, DMW on the frame, just behind the barrel. 533 serial number with 33 on various parts. The clip has no number at all on it and no wooden part. The wooden grips are nice for the age of the gun. I can find no markings at all on the barrel. (I have not disassembled the gun) There is a “stylized f or r” ( think) under the serial number. On the front of the handle is faintly inscribed “R.1.T.S.1” then in smaller print “143” There are two marks on the right side above the trigger both marks have a crown on top with what looks like an anchor under one shield and a shield under the other. The blueing is in excellent condition. The action will not lock open. Attached Thumbnails

11-15-2011, 10:07 AM	#3
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Seems like it's without stock attachment from the pictures. Another indication that it's probably Bavarian.. Sadly it looks reblued. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

11-15-2011, 12:04 PM	#6
Stan New User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Three more pics... Stan Attached Thumbnails

11-15-2011, 05:11 PM	#7
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,619 Thanks: 3,145 Thanked 2,531 Times in 943 Posts	Agree' ground and definately reblued. Value around $600. Bill. __________________ Bill Lyon

11-16-2011, 11:36 AM	#11
Stan New User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Grip markings Hey Guys Thanks for the input. The markings on the grip (metal front) “B.1.T.S.1” then in smaller print “143” What does it signify? Is is WWI or WWII? Stan

11-15-2011, 09:56 AM	#2
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	Stan, I'll wager that the grip strap marking is actually B.1.T.S.1.143. May we see photos of both the grip strap marking and the serial number on the front of the frame beneath the barrel? As the grip strap marking indicates that the pistol was issued to a Bavarian unit it will not have a hold-open device.

11-15-2011, 10:44 AM	#4
calibrator User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cave Creek Posts: 315 Thanks: 55 Thanked 242 Times in 92 Posts	Hey Stan ! This pistol has been re-blued, the parts that should be "strawed" were also re-blued. Would like to see a picture of the rear grip strap towards the bottom, where the stock lug normally is. The mag is a modern MecGar (made in Italy) a good reliable mag for a shooter. As far as value, $700 + - $100 is what most here will likely say. Take it to the range and enjoy it. Lugers are suprisingly accurate, if you do your part.

11-15-2011, 12:02 PM	#5
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	1911 Lugers do not have stock lugs. Stock lugs on P08s were not introduced until mid 1913.

11-15-2011, 07:55 PM	#8
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	As George already said, no stock lugs on 1911's. Unless it is mismatched and has a mid 1913 or later frame.

11-15-2011, 08:24 PM	#9
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	I never can understand what these "craftsmen" are doing as they grind and buff every marking and edge off a gun like this....they can't SEE what they're doing?

11-15-2011, 08:53 PM	#10
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Back when most of this was done, nobody cared about any significance attached to the markings or proofs. The idea was to stop a pistol from rusting and to put it back into shootable condition. If they had cared about the same things we do today, most reblues would have never happened and the original finish would have been left intact. It's like repainting a contemporary car. Not a big deal now but some collector 100 years from now might be thinking what an idiot you were for ruining this "classic".

11-16-2011, 12:16 PM	#12
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	Bavarian 1st Train Battalion, Sanitaets Copmpany 1, weapon number 143. A Sanitaets company was an ambulance company. The pistol was issued to a combat medic.

11-16-2011, 02:34 PM	#13
Stan New User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	WWI or WWII?

11-16-2011, 03:00 PM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Ww1

11-16-2011, 03:13 PM	#15
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 Stan, Here's a photo of a WW1 combat medic, this one's an Iron Cross winner. Regards, Norm Attached Thumbnails

11-19-2011, 12:10 PM	#16
glock30 User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Obama LAND Posts: 206 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	I Love these guys moustache's . Is this the guy that reblued it????... LOL

11-19-2011, 01:36 PM	#17
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Very common for Germans to emulate their leaders look. The Kaiser wore a mustache like this, so it was widely copied. Just like Germans in WW2 adopting the silly Hitler moustache.

01-02-2012, 06:27 PM	#18
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Did our medics carried a sidearm besides a scalpel too?

01-02-2012, 08:17 PM	#19
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	No, with rare exceptions, (The Pacific Campaign, where the Japanese had no compunction about shooting medics, saw some USMC medics carry sidearms).

01-02-2012, 08:34 PM	#20
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Man That Sugged!