Two beginner questions.

[john]

Greetings,

Why are Luger serial numbers written 12xx, rather

than 1234 when looking at the various links associated with

this site?

Also, what is the meaning of a "sneak" Luger?

Thanks, John

[DAVID]

Some people feel uncomfortable showing the comlete serial number of a firearm they own. Most of the time the serial number range can provide the necessary information to answer a question without revealing the entire serial number.


Sneak lugers, someone please feel free to correct me, are those with concealed makers codes or no maker shown so that Germany could rearm prior to WWII and not appear to violate the Versille Treaty.

[Thor]

Some people in the past make an attempt (and rightfully so) to conceal the serials with the 12xx format only to say or show the last two digits that are on the individual parts by photo or by mentioning them in the text. If you are using this format, just say "and the parts are numbered xx matching the full serial number"

Thor

[BILL]

We have discussed this hidden serial number situation before. It still have yet to hear of anyone really having a problem with the whole serial number (maybe it will happen to me someday and I will know). I see that on Ralph Shattucks page he lists the whole number and almost all auctions list the whole number but paranoia doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is NOT out to get you. If you owned a lot of guns that were stolen you might not want to list the entire serial range. If someone tried to claim a gun of mine based on a posted serial number they could probably spark me into using said gun (even if it was a collector grade).

thor, norwegian or swedish? my luger is stamped 21 all over the left side and 121 under the barrel and on the receiver? does this mean my luger is a phony? frederick. thanks

[Thor]

Frederick, sorry, dont have a clue!

Larry, my Luger's serial number is only three digits with a script letter suffix. Such numbering is not uncommon, as luger serial numbers ran in 10,000 unit blocks with the letter changing for the next 10,000 block. I'm certain that the real experts here can give you a more detailed explaination and the logic behind it. Suffice to say that three digit Lugers are neither rare or phony.

[SteveM]

Sneaks are generally Police Lugers with the exception of a few thousand that do not have the Police characteristics. You will find 2 types: those with a DWM marked toggle and not dated or no marked toggle and no date. Most will have the toggle marked DWM. They will also have a sear safety and a magazine safety or the mag safety may have been deactivated, or it may have never had a mag safety. The suffix of the serial number will be s,t or u and possibly r. These may be serial numbered in the Commercial style(hidden) or military style. The gripstrap may have unit markings beginning in either an S or a L or none at all.


Some collectors believe that these pistols were made by Mauser from left over and new manufacture parts. The pistols do show some Mauser characteristics such as the type of blue and machining of the barrel. If you have one of these, I'd be interested in a description.


Hope this helps..

SteveM