Just trying to identify my new Luger

stanley miller · 03-25-2007, 05:22 PM

Hello to all, I've been away for a while but its good to be back. I recently purchaced a nice Luger P-08 handgun. The seller had no information about the origins or age. I have only a basic knowledge myself. So, I am asking if any of you guys might be able to help me identify the particular model that I have . Mainly when it might have been produced. I do have a few pictures to send along but they are not very detailed.
As far as markings, it has the DWM scroll on the top of the lever, which I think confirms that it might have been built in Berlin. On the side of the toggle is a crown N. This same crown over N appears under the barrel just above the serial number which is 86314. There is also what looks like a crown over N marking on the left side of the upper housing, just above the break down lever. I consider left and right to be if looking from the rear forward. Just below the rear sight on the back of the toggel is 14. I suppose that this refers to the last 2 didgets in the serial number. I may be wrong. And thats about it. Is it enough to go on?
Luckily, all of my numbers match. And the pistol is in fairly good shape. Anyway, thanks in advance for any help. Talk soon, stan

Dwight Gruber · 03-25-2007, 05:58 PM

Stan,

Welcome back, and thanks for the clear observations and report on your Luger.

This gun is what is now known as a 20DWM. It was manufactured by DWM after WWIfor the commercial market. Its serial number is in the midst of several guns chamber-dated 1921, so it was manufactured that year.

For the record, is the c/N on the left reciever upright? Is the gun stamped GERMANY anywhere?

--Dwight

stanley miller · 03-26-2007, 12:57 PM

Thanks Dwight, I was fairly sure that it might be a commercial. I suppose that this means it would not be classified as a "war" time relic. Which is fine with me. I just love the way the gun looks and feels.
As far as the c/N , looking from the rear forward [as if you were aiming at something], it would be on the left side. Just above the take down lever.
Question. Are the Lugers that are chambered for 30 Luger ammo any more valuable or rare than the 9mm versions?
I have looked it over and over but cannot find Germany written anywhere on it.
Bottom line, I paid $700 for the pistol plus 6 boxes of 30 Luger ammo. The pistol is fully functional with very minor rust. Is this a fair price for a commercial Luger of this vintage? No matter, I am still very happy to have it.
Thanks again Dwight for all of your info and help...talk soon, stan

rightwire · 03-26-2007, 08:07 PM

I am a newbie at this, but the gun is stamped DWM... which stands for Deutche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken.

Deutche = German if I recall...

SO yes, it is stamped German... in German.

Ron Wood · 03-26-2007, 11:11 PM

Stan,
For $700 plus 6 boxes of .30 Luger ammo I think you did quite well. Any chance of some more photos of the full gun both sides?

rightwire,
Dwight was asking if the Luger was stamped "GERMANY" to see if it was intended to be exported to an English speaking country. You are correct that DWM indicates a German made gun. Keep looking around for all the Luger references you can find "newbie"...there is a lot to learn and it is great fun. Welcome to the hobby.

stanley miller · 03-27-2007, 06:06 AM

Thanks mr.Wood for your response. I felt that $700 was a fair price, especially after seeing many Lugers, in much worse condition selling for alot more than that at gun shows.
If you back up to the general discussions homepage and look down the list you should see 2 extra entries that I made, both being photos of the newly bought gun. I will try to have a few more pictures taken soon. Hopefully I can try to figure out how to post more than 1 picture per message....thnaks again and take care

03-25-2007, 05:22 PM	#1
stanley miller User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: crestview florida Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just trying to identify my new Luger Hello to all, I've been away for a while but its good to be back. I recently purchaced a nice Luger P-08 handgun. The seller had no information about the origins or age. I have only a basic knowledge myself. So, I am asking if any of you guys might be able to help me identify the particular model that I have . Mainly when it might have been produced. I do have a few pictures to send along but they are not very detailed. As far as markings, it has the DWM scroll on the top of the lever, which I think confirms that it might have been built in Berlin. On the side of the toggle is a crown N. This same crown over N appears under the barrel just above the serial number which is 86314. There is also what looks like a crown over N marking on the left side of the upper housing, just above the break down lever. I consider left and right to be if looking from the rear forward. Just below the rear sight on the back of the toggel is 14. I suppose that this refers to the last 2 didgets in the serial number. I may be wrong. And thats about it. Is it enough to go on? Luckily, all of my numbers match. And the pistol is in fairly good shape. Anyway, thanks in advance for any help. Talk soon, stan Attached Thumbnails

03-26-2007, 12:57 PM	#3
stanley miller User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: crestview florida Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the information Thanks Dwight, I was fairly sure that it might be a commercial. I suppose that this means it would not be classified as a "war" time relic. Which is fine with me. I just love the way the gun looks and feels. As far as the c/N , looking from the rear forward [as if you were aiming at something], it would be on the left side. Just above the take down lever. Question. Are the Lugers that are chambered for 30 Luger ammo any more valuable or rare than the 9mm versions? I have looked it over and over but cannot find Germany written anywhere on it. Bottom line, I paid $700 for the pistol plus 6 boxes of 30 Luger ammo. The pistol is fully functional with very minor rust. Is this a fair price for a commercial Luger of this vintage? No matter, I am still very happy to have it. Thanks again Dwight for all of your info and help...talk soon, stan

03-26-2007, 11:11 PM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	Stan, For $700 plus 6 boxes of .30 Luger ammo I think you did quite well. Any chance of some more photos of the full gun both sides? rightwire, Dwight was asking if the Luger was stamped "GERMANY" to see if it was intended to be exported to an English speaking country. You are correct that DWM indicates a German made gun. Keep looking around for all the Luger references you can find "newbie"...there is a lot to learn and it is great fun. Welcome to the hobby. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-25-2007, 05:58 PM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Stan, Welcome back, and thanks for the clear observations and report on your Luger. This gun is what is now known as a 20DWM. It was manufactured by DWM after WWIfor the commercial market. Its serial number is in the midst of several guns chamber-dated 1921, so it was manufactured that year. For the record, is the c/N on the left reciever upright? Is the gun stamped GERMANY anywhere? --Dwight

03-26-2007, 08:07 PM	#4
rightwire User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Metro Detroit 'burbs Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I am a newbie at this, but the gun is stamped DWM... which stands for Deutche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken. Deutche = German if I recall... SO yes, it is stamped German... in German.

03-27-2007, 06:06 AM	#6
stanley miller User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: crestview florida Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks mr.Wood for your response. I felt that $700 was a fair price, especially after seeing many Lugers, in much worse condition selling for alot more than that at gun shows. If you back up to the general discussions homepage and look down the list you should see 2 extra entries that I made, both being photos of the newly bought gun. I will try to have a few more pictures taken soon. Hopefully I can try to figure out how to post more than 1 picture per message....thnaks again and take care