Hey Guys-new here

phm14 · 09-21-2012, 11:59 AM

Great site here. After using online sources to research guns, cars etc. for 10 plus years, its really nice to find such an impressive resource of concentrated knowledge. It's really refreshing compared to the high noise level on some sites. I'm a shooter as well as a collector, most often in 3 gun and action pistol matches.
I've been interested in weapons and history as far back as I can recall, and at 49, my interests are recently focusing on older weapons. Most of my firearms collection is modern, but I have always harbored a special interest in WWI and WWII era weapons. I have decided to ad a Luger (or 2) and and Springfield M1903A1 to start my new journey into military collecting. After spending several hours reading here, I'm hoping you Guys will allow me to make your site one of my primary resources for information on all things Luger.
My 1st question is: What are some possible indicators that a Luger has seen use in both World Wars? I'm hunting my 1st Luger now (posted on the WTB board), and would love to find a pistol that was likely used in both wars.

Edward Tinker · 09-21-2012, 12:56 PM

Welcome to the forum XXXXXXX

Unless it was refurbished and has a replacement barrel from WW2 era, it is hard to tell.

A WW1 era luger that went into police service almost is guaranteed to have been used in both wars, maybe not in battle for WW2, but many police were sent to the 'front' and used, plus some police were militerized.

Or you can find a bring-back that is from WW1 and brought back after WW2, but these certificates can and are faked....

Ed

phm14 · 09-21-2012, 01:05 PM

Oops, the name's Pete

. Are there specific markings that indicate police adoption? A 1920 property stamp?

alanint · 09-21-2012, 01:16 PM

That's a start, but not exclusive to police pistols. Look for a sear safety and possibly the remaining evidence of a magazine safety. Other indicators are an "Eagle L" stamping, Unit Marks, magazines marked with a serial number and then either a 1 or 2 for the spare.

Neil Young · 09-21-2012, 01:21 PM

Many police used Lugers will have their particular branch designation stamped on the front grip strap. In addition, most will have a sear safety and often the remnants of a magazine safety.

Okay, so I'm slower than Alanint.

Neil

phm14 · 09-21-2012, 01:40 PM

Thank you all, Gents. This info is very helpful.

Neil Young · 09-21-2012, 01:42 PM

I am attaching a few photos to illustrate the features discussed above. The sear safety is the riveted attachment on the top left side, overlapping the side plate. The remnants of the magazine safety is shown in the view with the left grip removed.

Neil

mrerick · 09-21-2012, 04:06 PM

Hi Pete, and welcome to the forum.

Another way to find a Luger used in both wars would be to locate one that was made for WW-I (chamber dated through 1918) and captured during WW-II (provenance provided by capture papers).

Marc

phm14 · 09-21-2012, 05:04 PM

Neil,
Thanks for those photos. Interesting configuration for a sear safety, I'm guessing since it was an afterthought to the design. Is the mag safety actuated by the lever at the top left of the left grip, just above the trigger return spring? It looks like it was trimmed back flush with the frame. Did it originally block the trigger? Looks like if that was the case and it was intact, it could be seen protruding from underneath the grip?
Thanks to all you Guys for taking time to share your knowledge.

Edward Tinker · 09-21-2012, 05:33 PM

yes to your questions / the mag safety did not work as they wanted, so most (almost all) were taken off or disabled.

The advantage to a police luger is that you can find a WW1 or earlier one that went into Weimar Police service (unit marking on it), then had a sear safety (pre-WW2) and perhaps find one with a matching aluminum magazine that was nazi proofed.

Ed

09-21-2012, 11:59 AM	#1
phm14 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9 Thanks: 22 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey Guys-new here Great site here. After using online sources to research guns, cars etc. for 10 plus years, its really nice to find such an impressive resource of concentrated knowledge. It's really refreshing compared to the high noise level on some sites. I'm a shooter as well as a collector, most often in 3 gun and action pistol matches. I've been interested in weapons and history as far back as I can recall, and at 49, my interests are recently focusing on older weapons. Most of my firearms collection is modern, but I have always harbored a special interest in WWI and WWII era weapons. I have decided to ad a Luger (or 2) and and Springfield M1903A1 to start my new journey into military collecting. After spending several hours reading here, I'm hoping you Guys will allow me to make your site one of my primary resources for information on all things Luger. My 1st question is: What are some possible indicators that a Luger has seen use in both World Wars? I'm hunting my 1st Luger now (posted on the WTB board), and would love to find a pistol that was likely used in both wars.

09-21-2012, 12:56 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	Welcome to the forum XXXXXXX Unless it was refurbished and has a replacement barrel from WW2 era, it is hard to tell. A WW1 era luger that went into police service almost is guaranteed to have been used in both wars, maybe not in battle for WW2, but many police were sent to the 'front' and used, plus some police were militerized. Or you can find a bring-back that is from WW1 and brought back after WW2, but these certificates can and are faked.... 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

09-21-2012, 01:21 PM	#5
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 547 Thanks: 566 Thanked 443 Times in 168 Posts	Many police used Lugers will have their particular branch designation stamped on the front grip strap. In addition, most will have a sear safety and often the remnants of a magazine safety. Okay, so I'm slower than Alanint. Neil __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

09-21-2012, 01:42 PM	#7
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 547 Thanks: 566 Thanked 443 Times in 168 Posts	I am attaching a few photos to illustrate the features discussed above. The sear safety is the riveted attachment on the top left side, overlapping the side plate. The remnants of the magazine safety is shown in the view with the left grip removed. Neil Attached Thumbnails Attached Images __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

09-21-2012, 04:06 PM	#8
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Hi Pete, and welcome to the forum. Another way to find a Luger used in both wars would be to locate one that was made for WW-I (chamber dated through 1918) and captured during WW-II (provenance provided by capture papers). Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-21-2012, 01:05 PM	#3
phm14 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9 Thanks: 22 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oops, the name's Pete . Are there specific markings that indicate police adoption? A 1920 property stamp?

09-21-2012, 01:16 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	That's a start, but not exclusive to police pistols. Look for a sear safety and possibly the remaining evidence of a magazine safety. Other indicators are an "Eagle L" stamping, Unit Marks, magazines marked with a serial number and then either a 1 or 2 for the spare.

09-21-2012, 01:40 PM	#6
phm14 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9 Thanks: 22 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you all, Gents. This info is very helpful.

09-21-2012, 05:04 PM	#9
phm14 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9 Thanks: 22 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Neil, Thanks for those photos. Interesting configuration for a sear safety, I'm guessing since it was an afterthought to the design. Is the mag safety actuated by the lever at the top left of the left grip, just above the trigger return spring? It looks like it was trimmed back flush with the frame. Did it originally block the trigger? Looks like if that was the case and it was intact, it could be seen protruding from underneath the grip? Thanks to all you Guys for taking time to share your knowledge.

09-21-2012, 05:33 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	yes to your questions / the mag safety did not work as they wanted, so most (almost all) were taken off or disabled. The advantage to a police luger is that you can find a WW1 or earlier one that went into Weimar Police service (unit marking on it), then had a sear safety (pre-WW2) and perhaps find one with a matching aluminum magazine that was nazi proofed. 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