trying to learn about Lugers

[sxtsvnstang]

Now that ive succumbed to the addiction, can you guys help me learn a little more. I see when other people post pictures of their new guns, a lot of you can say right off the bat that you know its a navy, or commercial or has swiss grips on it, etc. I love how vast the variety is of the little details that go with lugers. can people post some pictures for me of the different variants or parts that give away a little history of the gun? and maybe a list that can describe what the serial numbers mean? if you read my post about building a gun, youll see that i got the frame. the serial number is 7367 and GT tells me that its a D.W.M. what are the tell tales that let you decipher the history of these guns? I appreciate any input and help i get. Thanks

Tom

[Edward Tinker]

Tom, too open of a question, there were five manufacturers over 60 years of being made....


So, you buy books, you read the FAQ at the top of the page, you do searches and find out more information.

A lot of things just come to you as you study.


ed

[sxtsvnstang]

ya, i figured it would be more of a leraning curve to pick things up as i come across them. So good point on it being open. could we start with how to pick out the different variants, as in whether a luger is commercial or military, navy artillery, etc, well in terms of a picture next to a picture. i have looked through the members luger sections to try to find the differences, but maybe its easier if someone points them out

[Ron Wood]

I am biting my toungue as I write this, but Aarron Davis published a small format book "The Luger Handbook" that has an excellent "flow chart" in the front for Luger identification. I am reluctant to recommend this book for other than the flow chart as it has several errors in the narritive descriptions, so you can't rely on it 100% for positive identification. It is too bad, since otherwise Aarron did a pretty clever job. It is inexpensive and handy to carry around as it is pocket size. It is a place to start, but look to other references for detailed information on specific variation once you have identified it.

[sxtsvnstang]

thank you, thats good to know, maybe i can find a scanning of just the flow chart somewhere, that way i can avoid any confusion. being so new to this, i wouldnt have a clue where the errors lie.

[G.T.]

Hi to all! I have looked at a scan of the frame and it is pretty nicely machined, doesn't have the Mauser humps, and is devoid of the dimples in the stock attaching slot, I probably would be better off saying, it's not Mauser, rather then for sure DWM, but I would certainly think the odds are with me... i have agreed to help sxtsvnstang in his quest and build up, of a nice shooter... I believe in this young man, and he has some serious skills, and I'm happy to help, and curious to see the result of his efforts... we are going to try to do this one on the cheap.. but end up with a nice unit?? Can it be done, I think so... I know for sure it'll have a nice magazine! BTW, sxtsvnstang, Ron Wood is one of the most knowledgable Luger collectors, anywhere, anytime... his advice superceeds mine.. he is also a very good friend.. we're tied in that area.. ... Best to all, til...lat'r...GT

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by sxtsvnstang

...well in terms of a picture next to a picture. i have looked through the members luger sections to try to find the differences, but maybe its easier if someone points them out

hey, you are asking for 15-25 pictures, from several collectors.

See bwelow, but the short of it is;

Longer barrel, its either a navy, artillery or a commericial

No stock lug, its likely made before 1913

DWM WW1 - almost Nazi
Erfurt just WW1
Mauser, after DWM and into nazi era
Simson weimar era only
Krieghoff, start of nazi and into WW2

Commericial guns are marked serial number in a "hidden" manner
Military have the last two of the sn exposed.

Let me be the "bad moderator" and say; hey, do searchs on the forum, read the FAQ, when you click on the main forums you will see stickies, those are really good places to start.


Short of it is; internet is quick, but buying a couple of books will answer many of your questions; AND / OR do some work on your own and read it here

[sxtsvnstang]

Ya, i have tried going through the forums to find what i need, but for some reason the internet settings on my computer here are preventing the search function to work, as well as viewing some of the photographs within the FAQ. i can see photos that are posted within peoples responses, but not ones that are linked to. the stickies have been very informative. In my Emails, GT suggested my asking, as the people on here tend to be helpful and provide some direction. and since i cant search, i haven't found any posts describing variants, i have seen for example the lists of 1937 variants in the FAQ and some other lists describing which models were available by which of the manufacturers. If there is a post the shows variants side by side that some one can put a link to the would be great. again, if the search function was working for me im sure i wouldn't need to ask for more particular and specific guidance. actually, and googling i do outside of the forum, 95% of them point me back to the forum anyways. i will also give amazon a look and see whats available for me to pick up

[sxtsvnstang]

thanks ed for the edit to your post, that short bit actually gave me a ton to google and set me in a direction. i actually have some pics next to each other in the screen to compare somewhat.

[Ron Smith]

Here's a link to Amazon Books for "Kenyons Lugers at Random" While the accuracy is out dated, it is a good pictorial guide on most variations, and the prices aren't bad.

http://www.amazon.com/Lugers-at-Rand.../dp/0945828020

[sxtsvnstang]

wow thats a good find, i googled it and found some of whats available inside. thanks a bunch

[Ron Smith]

One at Idsa for $45

http://www.idsabooks.com/cgi-bin/idb455/5625

[sxtsvnstang]

I got lugers at random. Gt sent me one with the parts. Thanks a bunch for the tip on the book though. its great. really explains everything and pretty much answers all my questions

[Ron Wood]

I'm glad G.T. sent you a copy of "Lugers at Random". Although some of the information in it is a little outdated and the photography is not up to more modern publications, it is still the most concise and comprehensive first book for new collectors, and as Ron Smith stated, the price are reasonable.

[SIGP2101]

Luger Variations in pictures

Luger 1900 http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alu1900.htm
Luger 1900 Long http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alu1900lo.HTM
Luger 1902 http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alu1902.htm
Luger Carbine http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alucarbine.htm
Transitionnal Luger http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alutransi.htm
Luger Naval http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alumarine.HTM
Luger 1908 ( P08 ) http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alu1908.htm
Luger Artillery http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/aluartil.HTM
Producers map http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/acarte.HTM
DWM http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/adwm.HTM
Luger Erfurt http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/aerfurt.HTM
Luger Mauser http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alumauser.HTM
Luger Simson http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alusimson.HTM
Luger Krieghoff http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/alukrieg.HTM
Safeties http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/asecurite.HTM
Foreign contracts http://www.hlebooks.com/lugerpa/acontrats.HTM

[sxtsvnstang]

wow thanks that is awesome, just something i was looking for

[newluger]

SIGP2101,

The Luger variations in pictures is outstanding. I got a lot of info from it, and the light is begining to go on. What do they say? "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Thanks again

[sxtsvnstang]

tell me about it. even though they are cad models it seems to be easier to see the subtle differences that glares and shiny metal seem to hide

[SIGP2101]

You are more than welcome.

Just remember this is just to get you start digging. Each model has number of variations that this pictorial doesn’t address.
For example, Artillery model doesn’t show the difference between fine-tuning front site screw variation, and one without it.

But definitely you have to get not just one but few good books in order to even start grasping knowledge about Lugers.