Help in identification

[sporadicgenius]

Although I'm becoming more focused, my first Lugers were parts Lugers purchased at gunshows. I'm now becoming interested in the pedigree of some of these parts. I have the frame and internals from what I think might be a 1906 AE Luger but I'm not knowledgable to do anything more than make a guess. Can anyone tell me what I really have, whether it's an AE or just an early commercial? The grips look like reproductions and I think it's been renumbered, but you can still see "Germany" stamped under the serial number. Thanks in advance ~ Larry

[sheepherder]

I can't identify it, but I can tell you that you have what appears to be a broken trigger...I can see a crack, on both sides, where the spring hole is...If the number matches the rest of the pistol, it might be worth repairing...Otherwise, Tom Heller should have a replacement trigger...

I don't think it's dangerous, but it could be annoying...

[DavidJayUden]

You asked if you had an AE or just a commercial, and it is my understanding that an AE was just a commercial, albiet one with the bird and headed for the US. No other differences. The way the Germany is stamped looks like those seen on the US models, however I'll let those more experienced with these jump in here...
dju

[nukem556]

odd....looks like some grinding and crude restamping of the frame was done...look at the remnants of an earlier smaller "3" to the left of the big one.....i defer the the pros, but looks obvious to me

[Lugerdoc]

As DJU mentioned above, there's no way to tell if the receiver was AE marked just looking at the frame. It would appear that the original serial was in the 3x,xxx range, which would be correct for a model 1906. I do have several nice DWM trigger available. TH

[sporadicgenius]

Thanks to all for your observations and help. Tom, I may be contacting you for a trigger but the project may have to be on hold for a little while. I had assumed that it was a typical parts Luger but I don't want my lack of knowledge get ahead of me. As someone pointed out, the frame is crudely re-stamped...and it has been force matched to a 1916 DWM upper. It has a 4.75" Swiss proofed 30 Luger pencil barrel on it which is why I haven't shot it. Is it possible that the Swiss made up pistols with surplus German parts? I know I'm showing my ignorance here, but count me a beginner. Larry

[Steinar]

This is my theory;
I think this pistol started as a M1906 made at DWM (pre 1918), at some point it "lost" it's receiver. The 1916 marked receiver where added and frame force matched to the receiver.
The only non-matching part could be the receiver, then again.. it's a pretty significant part of a the gun.

I don't think a M1906 would be fittet with a non-matching 1918 receiver by the swiss.


The pistols sounds like a fantastic shooter, it's a very nice caliber to shoot with. If you add a commercial receiver for it.. and it would look like a 1920 swiss rework from a hands distance, but just don't think about selling it as such.