Mag Numbers - different fonts

[rhmc24@yahoo.com]

I have a 1920 Luger with holster and two mags with numbers matching to pistol s/n. One mag number set looks more like the same dies struck it as on the gun. The other has 3 numbers a bit larger than the other that is same as on other mag. Holster is dated 1940 and pistol has polizeiwehr bayern marking on front grip. Pistol is in fine condition with VG bore and 50% straw.

I'm assuming the pistol originally had mag with wood end plug but these are aluminum. Probably fitted with new mags when it was recalled for military use.

Suspicion is that the number is not original, maybe re-numbered. Close exam of the metal bases indicates no removal of any metal. Further this pistol was from an estate of a WW2 vet and he had owned it to my knowledge from the earlly '50s, maybe brought it back from the war. That was a time when Lugers abounded for less than $50 and nobody thought about faking anything.

Question is there any known reason for the same numbers, one mag having some figures larger than others? Does it matter - collector wise? Thanks, Robert

[Edward Tinker]

it all depends.... police or army? + or numbers such as #1 and #2 ??

is the 2nd one aluminum?

Yes it can matter a lot....


Also, being a vet doesn't mean it wasn't messed with, I know guys that want things "right", "perfect" and correct and would have the 2nd base numbered the same and it would never occur to them that they were faking anything.....


Ed

[Ron Smith]

Later (circa 1926) aluminum bottom replacement magazines were received un-numbered from the factory. The numbers could have beem legitimately applied as needed by the unit armorer, with the dies on hand.

Photos would help...

Ron

[saab-bob]

I have a 1940 42 that I was told had a matching magazine.
However,upon closer inspection is turns out to be a VOPO magazine that someone sanded off the orginal number and die punched the # of the gun in.I still cannt figure out if my gun is a DDR rework or the renumbered mag was done later!

[Ron Smith]

Bob,

Start a new post with photos of your 1940/42. You will soon get all of the information you want on it.

Ron

[rhmc24@yahoo.com]

Thanks for all your interest and participation!

I'll try to post pix. Meanwhile more based on questions, comments:

I don't understand the 'police or army?'. It apparently had a history with both, 'polizeiwehr bayern' between wars and later probably wehrmacht WW2.

As I said these are aluminum - both show about the same amount of use. The owner left some dozen guns to a friend when he passed early '90s. I bought it from that person 5-10 years ago. Last year he passed & I appraised that collection dating from the '30s, which included the remaining guns from the first owner. Neither man, many years known to me, was any kind of gun mechanic, didn't even maintain them, many had decades of crusty grease, etc.

This is my only Luger and I treasure it because of its history with friends of mine. I just want to understand it better. Thanks again, Robert

[Ron Smith]

Ordinarily Police Lugers stayed with the police through the war, as evidenced by the police marked 1940 holster. Very possibly during the last few months, some police units fought along with, or were conscripted into the military.

Many GIs took side arms from surrendering police officers thinking that the police officer was a military officer, due to the uniforms which appeared military in design.

Ron

[Don M]

Robert, does your Luger have a sear safety? If so, it probably remained with the Bavarian state police through the war. If not, it may have been transferred, along with its owner, to the military in 1935. Also, does the holster have a police style (vertical strap & stud) or military style closure (diagonal strap & buckle)? More about these pistols can be found in HWIS Chapter 16.

[rhmc24@yahoo.com]

Its only safety is the usual on upper left rear marked GESICHERT. The holster is black stiff leather with strap & buckle down cover, with the lift strap inside, with 2nd mag in compartment and with the little loading tool pocket in the upper part. Tool was missing.

[Don M]

Robert, the fact that there is no sear safety and that the holster is a military holster strongly suggests that this Luger was transferred to the military early in the Nazi era. The lack of a sear safety is also conistent with other recorded Pw.B. Lugers (HWIS, Table 16-9). It seems likely that the Lugers were transferred to the military and the Sauer M1913s remained with the police.

I wouldn't worry about the different fonts used on the mags. This pistol served for 25 years and surely had replacement mags.

For my database, may I know the serial number and letter suffix of this pistol?

[rhmc24@yahoo.com]

A little more info & a correction. Serial number is 2275 a. Holster date is 1941, not 1940, DLU maker code with big P.08 and small spreadeagle with tiny swastika below with WaA541 below it.