Luger Inheirited

XavierBreath · 08-08-2003, 02:11 PM

My wife just inheirited a bring back Luger from her father. Apparently it was brought back by her Grandfather from WW1. It's a 1910 DWM model, with 8.K.3.2. on the frontstrap. All numbers I can find match. Condition is 70-80% although it is in need of cleaning. Unfortunately someone, probably the person it was issued to (we can almost assuredly verify this was not done after capture) carved a M on each grip.

What I'd like to know is first, shooter or collector's piece? If it's a shooter, what is needed to verify safety prior to shooting. I've smithed and repaired a lot of pistols in my day, but never a Luger. Is there an online resource for what to inspect? I'm assuming that regular modern 9mm (no +P) ammo is shootable, right?

Should the grips be changed out as a matter of course? I kind of think the M adds to the piece, but I'd like to know for sure the significance if possible.

Can anyone verify the frontstrap markings? I am thinking 8th Company, but the 3.2 has me stumped. Is there a way to determine what type of company the 8th was and where it served?

You can see this pistol at this link. http://www.msnusers.com/GUNMENII/xav...to&PhotoID=501

Admin, I just loaded the picture here, so it is easier to see, Ed

Doubs · 08-08-2003, 04:40 PM

Page 79 of Jeff Noll's book "The Imperial German Regimental Marking" lists DWM Luger dated 1910, serial number 6745c as marked 8.K.3.14. which translates to "Kurassier-Regiment 8, Eskadron 3, Waffe Nr. 14". I believe that this was a cavalry unit but I'm not familiar with their specifics.

Your Luger would appear to have been issued to the same unit as waffe (weapon) number 2.

Observations: Unless there is a lot of wear on the grip straps, you are under rating the amount of bluing remaining. The "M" appears to have been carved in recent years but it may simply be the lighting on the picture. The wood should have aged and be darker IMO.

Also my opinion, this is a keeper and not a shooter. 1910 Lugers are rare enough but you have one with family history and that should be respected and preserved for future generations.

Congratulations on a nice inheritance.

Edward Tinker · 08-08-2003, 04:57 PM

Welcome Jim!

We can give you more information, with further pictures, such as any markings on the gun?

Proofs? (see on your left under tech information if you came through www.lugerforum.com) Tell us what and where proofs and markings are located.

There are forms in this section, where you can print out and then write down pertinent information.

What serial number is on the gun? To include any letters next to or under the serial number?

Can you provide pictures, to include side, top, etc?

Unless it has replaced parts, it is a collector piece I believe, even a "shooter" goes for around $500 in most areas. Condition is everything, orginality in the luger collecting field is more important than "cold blue", fake looks, etc., so any replaced numbered parts can drop the piece in price.

I have found that after a good cleaning (be carefull of removing the grips, they can chip easily), that many times the gun looks so much better! But I agree with Doubs, it appears to have fairly nice bluing for its age.

Ed

XavierBreath · 08-08-2003, 08:49 PM

I have put together an album of pics showing the proofs and whatnot over at the GunmenII site (didn't want to waste your bandwidth here, and I know how to expedite things there.....) That link is http://www.msnusers.com/GUNMENII/xav...er.msnw?Page=1

Hopefully you folks will continue to believe that I am underestimating the wear, all of a sudden my wife is getting excited! Also, tell me what you think about grip replacement, or keeping the ones on it. Mods, feel free to move pics if you like, I just didn't want to make a mess here on my first thread. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

If you would like to see any other marking, just ask.

Best regards,
X

Ron Wood · 08-08-2003, 09:14 PM

Nice looking Luger and a fairly scarce unit mark. Kurassier and other cavalry unit marked Lugers seem to turn up less often than infantry and artillery units. From the photos it looks like "91" is the entire serial number. Very early 1910 production. You have a keeper. You might check to see if the grips match the gun (please remove the left grip very carefully as it is so easy to break off the little section under the safety). If the grips match, I would not be in a hurry to replace them, or if you do, keep the originals with the gun.

A good cleaning is going to improve the appearance quite a bit. A good gun oil and #0000 steel wool will remove a lot of the surface dirt and oxidation without harming the rust blue. Remember to use a light touch with the steel wool. Several minutes polishing in the same spot will damage the blue, even with #0000 steel wool.

I would be very reluctant to shoot this piece. Given that it is all matching, breaking a serial numbered part is not worth the risk. As an Imperial era collector, I think it is a great gun. Congratulations on the inheritance of a nice early military Luger. Also, an excited wife is a boon to any collector!

Luke · 08-08-2003, 10:30 PM

I would not change out the grips, especially if you are reasonably confident that the "M" was not carved after capture and especially if the grips are numbered to match the gun. The "M" only adds to the gun's history if it was made by a German soldier.

Best of luck.

Luke

08-08-2003, 02:11 PM	#1
XavierBreath User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bayou Country Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger Inheirited My wife just inheirited a bring back Luger from her father. Apparently it was brought back by her Grandfather from WW1. It's a 1910 DWM model, with 8.K.3.2. on the frontstrap. All numbers I can find match. Condition is 70-80% although it is in need of cleaning. Unfortunately someone, probably the person it was issued to (we can almost assuredly verify this was not done after capture) carved a M on each grip. What I'd like to know is first, shooter or collector's piece? If it's a shooter, what is needed to verify safety prior to shooting. I've smithed and repaired a lot of pistols in my day, but never a Luger. Is there an online resource for what to inspect? I'm assuming that regular modern 9mm (no +P) ammo is shootable, right? Should the grips be changed out as a matter of course? I kind of think the M adds to the piece, but I'd like to know for sure the significance if possible. Can anyone verify the frontstrap markings? I am thinking 8th Company, but the 3.2 has me stumped. Is there a way to determine what type of company the 8th was and where it served? You can see this pistol at this link. http://www.msnusers.com/GUNMENII/xav...to&PhotoID=501 Admin, I just loaded the picture here, so it is easier to see, Ed __________________ Xavier's Guns

08-08-2003, 04:57 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Welcome Jim! We can give you more information, with further pictures, such as any markings on the gun? Proofs? (see on your left under tech information if you came through www.lugerforum.com) Tell us what and where proofs and markings are located. There are forms in this section, where you can print out and then write down pertinent information. What serial number is on the gun? To include any letters next to or under the serial number? Can you provide pictures, to include side, top, etc? Unless it has replaced parts, it is a collector piece I believe, even a "shooter" goes for around $500 in most areas. Condition is everything, orginality in the luger collecting field is more important than "cold blue", fake looks, etc., so any replaced numbered parts can drop the piece in price. I have found that after a good cleaning (be carefull of removing the grips, they can chip easily), that many times the gun looks so much better! But I agree with Doubs, it appears to have fairly nice bluing for its age. 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

08-08-2003, 08:49 PM	#4
XavierBreath User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bayou Country Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have put together an album of pics showing the proofs and whatnot over at the GunmenII site (didn't want to waste your bandwidth here, and I know how to expedite things there.....) That link is http://www.msnusers.com/GUNMENII/xav...er.msnw?Page=1 Hopefully you folks will continue to believe that I am underestimating the wear, all of a sudden my wife is getting excited! Also, tell me what you think about grip replacement, or keeping the ones on it. Mods, feel free to move pics if you like, I just didn't want to make a mess here on my first thread. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> If you would like to see any other marking, just ask. Best regards, X __________________ Xavier's Guns

08-08-2003, 09:14 PM	#5
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: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	Nice looking Luger and a fairly scarce unit mark. Kurassier and other cavalry unit marked Lugers seem to turn up less often than infantry and artillery units. From the photos it looks like "91" is the entire serial number. Very early 1910 production. You have a keeper. You might check to see if the grips match the gun (please remove the left grip very carefully as it is so easy to break off the little section under the safety). If the grips match, I would not be in a hurry to replace them, or if you do, keep the originals with the gun. A good cleaning is going to improve the appearance quite a bit. A good gun oil and #0000 steel wool will remove a lot of the surface dirt and oxidation without harming the rust blue. Remember to use a light touch with the steel wool. Several minutes polishing in the same spot will damage the blue, even with #0000 steel wool. I would be very reluctant to shoot this piece. Given that it is all matching, breaking a serial numbered part is not worth the risk. As an Imperial era collector, I think it is a great gun. Congratulations on the inheritance of a nice early military Luger. Also, an excited wife is a boon to any collector! __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-08-2003, 10:30 PM	#6
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	I would not change out the grips, especially if you are reasonably confident that the "M" was not carved after capture and especially if the grips are numbered to match the gun. The "M" only adds to the gun's history if it was made by a German soldier. Best of luck. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

08-08-2003, 04:40 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 819 Thanked 1,769 Times in 586 Posts	Page 79 of Jeff Noll's book "The Imperial German Regimental Marking" lists DWM Luger dated 1910, serial number 6745c as marked 8.K.3.14. which translates to "Kurassier-Regiment 8, Eskadron 3, Waffe Nr. 14". I believe that this was a cavalry unit but I'm not familiar with their specifics. Your Luger would appear to have been issued to the same unit as waffe (weapon) number 2. Observations: Unless there is a lot of wear on the grip straps, you are under rating the amount of bluing remaining. The "M" appears to have been carved in recent years but it may simply be the lighting on the picture. The wood should have aged and be darker IMO. Also my opinion, this is a keeper and not a shooter. 1910 Lugers are rare enough but you have one with family history and that should be respected and preserved for future generations. Congratulations on a nice inheritance.