Luger DWM info:

smai-tai · 07-18-2016, 02:34 PM

New here, so hope this is the right place for this. I came across my first Luger while cleaning out my grandparents house recently. I am having trouble dating it but from what I have found it seems to be WWI era or so. But can't be sure. There is no date stamp, only a 4 digit serial number (#8871). Both the barrel and the frame have the same 4 digit serial number but seems there is a "72" under it on the barrel and a "71" under the serial number on the frame. Does this mean anything? I have not found any magazines or a holster yet. So for now going off just the pistol. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Took some pictures. If more are needed please let me know and I will get some. Thanks in advance.

George Anderson · 07-18-2016, 02:50 PM

It's a 1920's commercial and quite likely .30 calibre.

smai-tai · 07-18-2016, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Anderson

It's a 1920's commercial and quite likely .30 calibre.

OK thank you. I have heard that not having the year stamp on it means it has been refinished and so forth. Is that accurate? I have also heard that some models do not have date stamps. Thanks for the info!

DonVoigt · 07-18-2016, 03:21 PM

Hi and welcome.
Commercial lugers do not as a rule have dates on the chamber.
The mark under your serial number is a suffix "n" and actually part of the serial number.

Looks to be in nice shape.

Read the stickys for new collectors on how to identify your luger and what pictures to take to get your questions answered and learn more about it.

rhuff · 07-19-2016, 03:00 PM

Welcome to the forum. Your new "find" appears to be in nice condition. A few more close up photos of the markings and serial numbers would be nice. Hopefully you can locate the original mag, and any other accessories.

mrerick · 07-19-2016, 05:24 PM

Looks like you have a DWM commercial luger sn 8871n. That is the serial number I read from your photo of the bottom of the barrel. "8871" over the fraktur letter "n". This gun is most likely all matching, and you should find "71" on numbered parts, and "8871" over "n" on the front of the frame.

This was likely made in 1924 and exported to the USA during the Weimar era. The crown over N is a proof acceptance mark.

The barrel is not refinished, and appears to be in very good original condition. Other portions may be refinished, including the receiver. Better pictures of the interior will help with evaluation. Value with original magazine is $1000 or so if original, $750 or so if refinished. The German word for Safety normally has white paint in it, and this has apparently been aggressively cleaned off the pistol.

smai-tai · 07-19-2016, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Looks like you have a DWM commercial luger sn 8871n. That is the serial number I read from your photo of the bottom of the barrel. "8871" over the fraktur letter "n". This gun is most likely all matching, and you should find "71" on numbered parts, and "8871" over "n" on the front of the frame.

This was likely made in 1924 and exported to the USA during the Weimar era. The crown over N is a proof acceptance mark.

The barrel is not refinished, and appears to be in very good original condition. Other portions may be refinished, including the receiver. Better pictures of the interior will help with evaluation. Value with original magazine is $1000 or so if original, $750 or so if refinished. The German word for Safety normally has white paint in it, and this has apparently been aggressively cleaned off the pistol.

Thank you very much for the reply and info! I would have to agree with you. We are still going through the proverbial haystack so hoping to find the matching magazines still.

George Anderson · 07-19-2016, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smai-tai

Thank you very much for the reply and info! I would have to agree with you. We are still going through the proverbial haystack so hoping to find the matching magazines still.

As a commercial pistol it will not have had serial numbered magazines.

07-18-2016, 02:34 PM	#1
smai-tai New User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 3 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger DWM info: New here, so hope this is the right place for this. I came across my first Luger while cleaning out my grandparents house recently. I am having trouble dating it but from what I have found it seems to be WWI era or so. But can't be sure. There is no date stamp, only a 4 digit serial number (#8871). Both the barrel and the frame have the same 4 digit serial number but seems there is a "72" under it on the barrel and a "71" under the serial number on the frame. Does this mean anything? I have not found any magazines or a holster yet. So for now going off just the pistol. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Took some pictures. If more are needed please let me know and I will get some. Thanks in advance. Attached Thumbnails

07-18-2016, 03:21 PM	#4
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,678 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	Hi and welcome. Commercial lugers do not as a rule have dates on the chamber. The mark under your serial number is a suffix "n" and actually part of the serial number. Looks to be in nice shape. Read the stickys for new collectors on how to identify your luger and what pictures to take to get your questions answered and learn more about it. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-19-2016, 05:24 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Looks like you have a DWM commercial luger sn 8871n. That is the serial number I read from your photo of the bottom of the barrel. "8871" over the fraktur letter "n". This gun is most likely all matching, and you should find "71" on numbered parts, and "8871" over "n" on the front of the frame. This was likely made in 1924 and exported to the USA during the Weimar era. The crown over N is a proof acceptance mark. The barrel is not refinished, and appears to be in very good original condition. Other portions may be refinished, including the receiver. Better pictures of the interior will help with evaluation. Value with original magazine is $1000 or so if original, $750 or so if refinished. The German word for Safety normally has white paint in it, and this has apparently been aggressively cleaned off the pistol. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

07-18-2016, 02:50 PM	#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	It's a 1920's commercial and quite likely .30 calibre.

07-19-2016, 03:00 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	Welcome to the forum. Your new "find" appears to be in nice condition. A few more close up photos of the markings and serial numbers would be nice. Hopefully you can locate the original mag, and any other accessories.