Identification of magazine

vernonsmith · 10-07-2009, 12:11 PM

I have a matching mags that came with my 1917 DWM Luger, also another one which I am confused as to which era it related to. The number does not match my Luger and seems to have a crown over something on top and bottom of the wooden base. In the middle most probably read:

138
e
+

Is this a magazine belonged to a commercial Luger?

FNorm · 10-07-2009, 12:21 PM

Two proof marks is usually sign of an early Erfurt mag. I can't remember when they stopped doing that. Wait for the 'Old Guys'. Does the mag tube have a yellowish color. Also usually Erfurt. Lastly, with the mag unloaded, at the top by the follower button, there is an stamping/pressure mark/dent/ whatever. Does that look like a straight line? or a D shaped depression? Stick impression is Erfurt, D shaped is DWM.

FN

vernonsmith · 10-07-2009, 12:37 PM

Yeah the tube is in yellowish color compare to my other mag which match the pistol. So I guess this mag in question is an Erfurt mag then. Also the dent you mentioned is a stick impression and my other one is D shaped.

Does anyone also know what the number '2' means which I found on the side of the wooden base of my DWM 1917 magazine?

Edward Tinker · 10-07-2009, 02:10 PM

We would need pictures to even hazard a guess on the number on the side...

The + and the serial number makes it military and not commercial....

ed

MFC · 10-08-2009, 01:12 AM

Vernon,
The 2 is an inspectors mark.

vernonsmith · 10-08-2009, 03:19 AM

Is it possible to take apart the magazine to clean it at all? I can see there are notches on both side near the end of tube do I have to pry open the tube to free the wooden mag base?

Lugerdoc · 10-08-2009, 12:38 PM

Vern, I'd advise against you removing your mag bottom, since it appears to be cracked below the retaining pin. You might end up with several pieces in your hand, that may be difficult to put back together, particurly if the mag matches your luger. If you want it cleaned and repaired, GT is your man. TH

vernonsmith · 10-10-2009, 05:30 AM

Does anyone know what would be rough estimate value of this mag? I am now pretty sure it is an Erfurt mag with the yellowish tube.

Lugerdoc · 10-10-2009, 10:33 AM

Vern, Value of Erfurt mag in perfect condition is around $150. Deducting for scares to wood bottom & some pitting at top of tube & follower, around $100. TH

vernonsmith · 10-10-2009, 10:37 AM

Cool Tom, thanks. I am trying to get rid of this mag and only keep the one that match my DWM 1917. This one came with the gun for 'free' anyway.

Regards.

FNorm · 10-10-2009, 02:07 PM

I'd keep it, Vern. Ya never know when you might need it.

FN

Frank · 10-10-2009, 02:39 PM

Hey Vern, I believe the suffix is a "B", not an "E". Take a look at some of the suffix sheets on the forum.

vernonsmith · 10-10-2009, 08:22 PM

You are right Frank! Upon closer inspection it is a 'b' rather than an 'e'.

Thanks for the headsup fellas.

A.Mifsin · 10-11-2009, 06:57 AM

" Lastly, with the mag unloaded, at the top by the follower button, there is an stamping/pressure mark/dent/ whatever. Does that look like a straight line? or a D shaped depression? Stick impression is Erfurt, D shaped is DWM."
FNorm, I can't understand what you mean by the above statment, maybe you can explain better please
Alf.

alanint · 10-11-2009, 07:47 AM

Scroll up to the last photo of the magazine posted. See that little dent about one quarter inch from the top or feeding end of the magazine? This indent is meant to stop the magazine follower at a certtain point from the top. This production step was accomplished by pressing in a straight line by Erfurt and by a "D" shaped punch at DWM. If no other markings are available on a magazine, especially the magazine body, this pressing will identify one manufacturer from another

A.Mifsin · 10-11-2009, 03:57 PM

Thank You alanint, but is it a hard fast rule or other markings on the magazine can over ride this ?
Alf.

alanint · 10-12-2009, 02:40 PM

The magazine experts would have to chime in. I have been told that it is a hard and fast rule. If the mag body has one type of pressing and the other parts are from another manufacturer, then the magazine is a put-together.

Dwight Gruber · 10-13-2009, 07:32 PM

The follower stop stamping is consistent with the manfacturer. The other tell-tale is the checking on the follower button. Erfurt manufacture has a "checkerboard" look; DWM manufacture is diamond cut (pointed).

--Dwight

G.T. · 10-13-2009, 09:38 PM

Hi Vern, I'm on the look out for a mag like your spare Erfurt mag, if you are wanting to sell please let me know?? I left you a PM but am not sure you received it??..anyway, I can be reached at: gctomeks@msn.com Best to you, til...lat'r...GT

A.Mifsin · 10-14-2009, 04:47 AM

I have two magazines which to me are a bit of a puzzle according to what I think I have understood (I hope). I am posting two photos of what is my interpretation of these magazine.
The first magazine looks like an Erfurt yellowish body magazine, but from the stop stamp it is a DWM and from the follower button it is an Erfurt.
The second magazine it has what I think is the DWM old style of number stamping on the bottom, (vertical numbers), the follower button is DWM. It is also a Navy type bottom, but the stop stamping is Erfurt.
Am I confusing issues or there is another explanation to this?

Another question. Am I correct to think that Mauser used the DWM stop stamping and Simson the erfurt stamping ? Thanks.
Alf.

10-07-2009, 12:11 PM	#1
vernonsmith User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Identification of magazine I have a matching mags that came with my 1917 DWM Luger, also another one which I am confused as to which era it related to. The number does not match my Luger and seems to have a crown over something on top and bottom of the wooden base. In the middle most probably read: 138 e + Is this a magazine belonged to a commercial Luger?

10-08-2009, 01:12 AM	#5
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Vernon, The 2 is an inspectors mark. __________________ Mike C.

10-08-2009, 12:38 PM	#7
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Vern, I'd advise against you removing your mag bottom, since it appears to be cracked below the retaining pin. You might end up with several pieces in your hand, that may be difficult to put back together, particurly if the mag matches your luger. If you want it cleaned and repaired, GT is your man. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

10-10-2009, 10:33 AM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Vern, Value of Erfurt mag in perfect condition is around $150. Deducting for scares to wood bottom & some pitting at top of tube & follower, around $100. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

10-11-2009, 06:57 AM	#14
A.Mifsin User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malta Posts: 570 Thanks: 74 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	" Lastly, with the mag unloaded, at the top by the follower button, there is an stamping/pressure mark/dent/ whatever. Does that look like a straight line? or a D shaped depression? Stick impression is Erfurt, D shaped is DWM." FNorm, I can't understand what you mean by the above statment, maybe you can explain better please Alf. __________________ I prefer a Luger

10-07-2009, 12:21 PM	#2
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Two proof marks is usually sign of an early Erfurt mag. I can't remember when they stopped doing that. Wait for the 'Old Guys'. Does the mag tube have a yellowish color. Also usually Erfurt. Lastly, with the mag unloaded, at the top by the follower button, there is an stamping/pressure mark/dent/ whatever. Does that look like a straight line? or a D shaped depression? Stick impression is Erfurt, D shaped is DWM. FN

10-07-2009, 12:37 PM	#3
vernonsmith User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yeah the tube is in yellowish color compare to my other mag which match the pistol. So I guess this mag in question is an Erfurt mag then. Also the dent you mentioned is a stick impression and my other one is D shaped. Does anyone also know what the number '2' means which I found on the side of the wooden base of my DWM 1917 magazine?

10-07-2009, 02:10 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,609 Times in 2,123 Posts	We would need pictures to even hazard a guess on the number on the side... The + and the serial number makes it military and not commercial.... ed

10-08-2009, 03:19 AM	#6
vernonsmith User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Is it possible to take apart the magazine to clean it at all? I can see there are notches on both side near the end of tube do I have to pry open the tube to free the wooden mag base?

10-10-2009, 05:30 AM	#8
vernonsmith User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Does anyone know what would be rough estimate value of this mag? I am now pretty sure it is an Erfurt mag with the yellowish tube.

10-10-2009, 10:37 AM	#10
vernonsmith User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Cool Tom, thanks. I am trying to get rid of this mag and only keep the one that match my DWM 1917. This one came with the gun for 'free' anyway. Regards.

10-10-2009, 02:07 PM	#11
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	I'd keep it, Vern. Ya never know when you might need it. FN

10-10-2009, 02:39 PM	#12
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 165 Times in 87 Posts	Hey Vern, I believe the suffix is a "B", not an "E". Take a look at some of the suffix sheets on the forum.

10-10-2009, 08:22 PM	#13
vernonsmith User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	You are right Frank! Upon closer inspection it is a 'b' rather than an 'e'. Thanks for the headsup fellas.

10-11-2009, 07:47 AM	#15
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Scroll up to the last photo of the magazine posted. See that little dent about one quarter inch from the top or feeding end of the magazine? This indent is meant to stop the magazine follower at a certtain point from the top. This production step was accomplished by pressing in a straight line by Erfurt and by a "D" shaped punch at DWM. If no other markings are available on a magazine, especially the magazine body, this pressing will identify one manufacturer from another

10-11-2009, 03:57 PM	#16
A.Mifsin User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malta Posts: 570 Thanks: 74 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Thank You alanint, but is it a hard fast rule or other markings on the magazine can over ride this ? Alf. __________________ I prefer a Luger

10-12-2009, 02:40 PM	#17
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	The magazine experts would have to chime in. I have been told that it is a hard and fast rule. If the mag body has one type of pressing and the other parts are from another manufacturer, then the magazine is a put-together.

10-13-2009, 07:32 PM	#18
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	The follower stop stamping is consistent with the manfacturer. The other tell-tale is the checking on the follower button. Erfurt manufacture has a "checkerboard" look; DWM manufacture is diamond cut (pointed). --Dwight

10-13-2009, 09:38 PM	#19
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,541 Thanks: 1,342 Thanked 3,742 Times in 1,020 Posts	Erfurt mag Hi Vern, I'm on the look out for a mag like your spare Erfurt mag, if you are wanting to sell please let me know?? I left you a PM but am not sure you received it??..anyway, I can be reached at: gctomeks@msn.com Best to you, til...lat'r...GT