My recent purchase -picture heavy

earlyluger · 07-19-2012, 02:44 AM

So I finally took some pictures. Only have my phone for this so bear with me. Did some minor editing and cropping. It is missing hold open and has the million dollar crack in grip. Please be gently as I am new to buying collector pieces. Any info on what it is and possible date of manufacture would be appreciated. Thanks for looking.

earlyluger · 07-19-2012, 02:47 AM

More pics that would not fit in first post.

earlyluger · 07-19-2012, 02:58 AM

If any of you know what those additional marks on the receiver/barrel section mean please do tell. I did not see any info on those in any reference I could find. Thanks.

Edward Tinker · 07-19-2012, 09:32 AM

They are called makers marks, and were simply marks by the assemblers, they mean nothing that we can discern today.

You have a nice model 1900 luger in the 18k serial number range, probably made before 1910 (that is a SWAG) and appears to be all correct, but only you can tell if it is correct or not.

Some pictures make it look 'too' good and others make it look like it has patina and age (which it should).

Ed

Douglas Jr. · 07-19-2012, 10:21 AM

Ed,

In fact, the serial number is in the 13K range.
I don't remember if the hold open for these early guns were also numbered.
Your gun seems to be in good, collectable, condition.
A nice one for your first try.

Douglas.

Edward Tinker · 07-19-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Jr.

Ed,

In fact, the serial number is in the 13K range.
I....

ok

earlyluger · 07-19-2012, 02:50 PM

It has patina and almost no finish on the frame fore and back strap. Some surface rust on back strap and on safety. I am afraid to even thing about removing the rust there. The rest of the gun is still blued, does not really look like a refinish job either. No proofs on it and no marks on top of the receiver. I assume this is a commercial model. I was advised against modifying/refinishing it by the local smith. Thanks for the input. It is my first Luger, cost me a bit under $800 including tax at a local Cabela's, They had an AE Luger there too for $900 more but I liked the one this one more due to clean frame and receiver with minimal marks. Also I used the $900 I saved to buy some ammo to shoot through it. Any ideas on date of manufacture? I wish there were records of SN ranges produced in which years. Thanks for all your replies.

FNorm · 07-19-2012, 04:33 PM

On my 1900 the hold open was not numbered. See Early Lugers, 1900 commercial for comparison.

nukem556 · 07-19-2012, 08:54 PM

I'm amazed Cabela's sold it for that price....I think you got a GREAT deal......these days you'll pay that or more for a run of the mill 1920s commercial, and a 1900 is WAY cooler

07-19-2012, 02:44 AM	#1
earlyluger User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 27 Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My recent purchase -picture heavy So I finally took some pictures. Only have my phone for this so bear with me. Did some minor editing and cropping. It is missing hold open and has the million dollar crack in grip. Please be gently as I am new to buying collector pieces. Any info on what it is and possible date of manufacture would be appreciated. Thanks for looking. Attached Thumbnails

07-19-2012, 02:47 AM	#2
earlyluger User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 27 Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	More pics that would not fit in first post. Attached Thumbnails

07-19-2012, 09:32 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	They are called makers marks, and were simply marks by the assemblers, they mean nothing that we can discern today. You have a nice model 1900 luger in the 18k serial number range, probably made before 1910 (that is a SWAG) and appears to be all correct, but only you can tell if it is correct or not. Some pictures make it look 'too' good and others make it look like it has patina and age (which it should). Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

07-19-2012, 02:58 AM	#3
earlyluger User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 27 Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	If any of you know what those additional marks on the receiver/barrel section mean please do tell. I did not see any info on those in any reference I could find. Thanks.

07-19-2012, 10:21 AM	#5
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Ed, In fact, the serial number is in the 13K range. I don't remember if the hold open for these early guns were also numbered. Your gun seems to be in good, collectable, condition. A nice one for your first try. Douglas.

07-19-2012, 02:50 PM	#7
earlyluger User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 27 Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It has patina and almost no finish on the frame fore and back strap. Some surface rust on back strap and on safety. I am afraid to even thing about removing the rust there. The rest of the gun is still blued, does not really look like a refinish job either. No proofs on it and no marks on top of the receiver. I assume this is a commercial model. I was advised against modifying/refinishing it by the local smith. Thanks for the input. It is my first Luger, cost me a bit under $800 including tax at a local Cabela's, They had an AE Luger there too for $900 more but I liked the one this one more due to clean frame and receiver with minimal marks. Also I used the $900 I saved to buy some ammo to shoot through it. Any ideas on date of manufacture? I wish there were records of SN ranges produced in which years. Thanks for all your replies.

07-19-2012, 04:33 PM	#8
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	On my 1900 the hold open was not numbered. See Early Lugers, 1900 commercial for comparison.

07-19-2012, 08:54 PM	#9
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	I'm amazed Cabela's sold it for that price....I think you got a GREAT deal......these days you'll pay that or more for a run of the mill 1920s commercial, and a 1900 is WAY cooler