police Luger?

Ketil · 08-23-2001, 11:44 AM

Hello.

I've just got a DWM 1917/1920 P08 police rework with the schiwy safety.

It is marked with capital letters S.P.L. (S. P. over L.) The marking is on the bottom of the front strap. According to the seller this means "Schutzpolizei Leipzig".

I'm not so sure. I find the marking unusual both in its position and the code/abbreviation. Can anyone confirm this? Any other suggestions?

Also; the gun is nice all matching parts (except clip) and original finish. It does look like the gun has seen quite some use and the hold open latch is worn so that the toggle doesn't stay open when the clip is removed. Can anyone suggest how much % this reduces the guns value?

I haven't decided yet but I think I will replace the latch.

Ketil

John Sabato · 08-23-2001, 11:52 AM

Most have been made non functional... If it is complete it may take the value up a couple of notches...

Sorry I can't help with the marking.

-John

Ketil · 08-23-2001, 12:01 PM

Thank you for your response. The Schiwy safety is operational/working.

Ketil

ViggoG · 08-23-2001, 03:39 PM

PLEASE discuss the effects that changing the holdopen would have on the collector value , Preferably with someone of the caliber of RALPH SHATTUCK at WORLD OF LUGERS . He will not mislead you .

Tell him that he was recommended by a post on LUGER FORUM .

You Lucky Guy !!!

ViggoG

Joe · 08-23-2001, 03:56 PM

Remember that the hold open is numbered to the luger and you will have to replace it with the same number or the gun is no longer matched.

08-23-2001, 06:50 PM

Sometimes a qualified gunsmith familiar with the po8 hold open can tune on it a little and make it work. Also a weak magazine spring or worn follower button on the mag can be the culprit.

Jared

Steve Lempitski · 08-23-2001, 09:20 PM

What about replacing just the hold open spring? Its easy, I made a new spring out of a piece of spring steel, put it in the groove of the hold open, and it works beautifully on my shooter.

John Sabato · 08-24-2001, 10:21 AM

Ketil · 08-24-2001, 01:01 PM

Thank you very much for your advice. I've tried several magazines, I also tried another breechblock. It is the hold open which is worn. Maybe only the spring. I think I'll leave it as is. I'm not gonna use it for shooting anyhow.

Ketil (Who still is curios about the S. P. L. marking.)

Walt · 08-24-2001, 05:15 PM

Your seller wasÃ?Â*right on! S.P.L. on theÃ?Â*front strapÃ?Â*is indeed "Schutzpolizei Leipzig", and to reiterateÃ?Â*everyone else, don't replace that hold open!

08-26-2001, 02:14 PM

Your hold open could probably be repaired for the same price as buying a new one. Even if more $'s, it is important to retain the original part. The first non-original part is the most costly, taking an all-original luger from a typical $900 down to $400 value in an instant. Subsequent replaced parts have little effect on value.

The S.P.L. marking may be an early marking from the early 1920's. Later pistols tend to be more standardized in style and this is noted on the military lugers, too. This is not my comment but from an older luger expert. Occasionally, a school stamp appears that looks similar to a police stamp but is slightly different. Still identifies most of the school stamps as beginning with the letter P. S.P.L. is mentioned on p196 of Jan Still's WEIMAR LUGERS as corresponding with a Saxony police department unlike most police marked lugers which are Prussian.

08-23-2001, 11:44 AM	#1
Ketil User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	police Luger? Hello. I've just got a DWM 1917/1920 P08 police rework with the schiwy safety. It is marked with capital letters S.P.L. (S. P. over L.) The marking is on the bottom of the front strap. According to the seller this means "Schutzpolizei Leipzig". I'm not so sure. I find the marking unusual both in its position and the code/abbreviation. Can anyone confirm this? Any other suggestions? Also; the gun is nice all matching parts (except clip) and original finish. It does look like the gun has seen quite some use and the hold open latch is worn so that the toggle doesn't stay open when the clip is removed. Can anyone suggest how much % this reduces the guns value? I haven't decided yet but I think I will replace the latch. Ketil

08-23-2001, 11:52 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Re: police Luger? Is the schiwy safety complete? Most have been made non functional... If it is complete it may take the value up a couple of notches... Sorry I can't help with the marking. -John

08-23-2001, 12:01 PM	#3
Ketil User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: police Luger? Is the schiwy safety complete? Thank you for your response. The Schiwy safety is operational/working. Ketil

08-23-2001, 03:39 PM	#4
ViggoG RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Side Virginia Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: police Luger? Do'nt change the "Holdopen" PLEASE discuss the effects that changing the holdopen would have on the collector value , Preferably with someone of the caliber of RALPH SHATTUCK at WORLD OF LUGERS . He will not mislead you . Tell him that he was recommended by a post on LUGER FORUM . You Lucky Guy !!! ViggoG

08-23-2001, 03:56 PM	#5
Joe User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: police Luger? Do'nt change the "Holdopen" Remember that the hold open is numbered to the luger and you will have to replace it with the same number or the gun is no longer matched.

08-23-2001, 06:50 PM	#6
JJV Guest Posts: n/a	Re: police Luger? Do'nt change the "Holdopen" Sometimes a qualified gunsmith familiar with the po8 hold open can tune on it a little and make it work. Also a weak magazine spring or worn follower button on the mag can be the culprit. Jared

08-23-2001, 09:20 PM	#7
Steve Lempitski User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Old Cape Cod Posts: 238 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: police Luger? Do'nt change the "Holdopen" What about replacing just the hold open spring? Its easy, I made a new spring out of a piece of spring steel, put it in the groove of the hold open, and it works beautifully on my shooter.

08-24-2001, 10:21 AM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Try a new magazine... that may be all it needs (EOM)

08-24-2001, 01:01 PM	#9
Ketil User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Try a new magazine Thank you very much for your advice. I've tried several magazines, I also tried another breechblock. It is the hold open which is worn. Maybe only the spring. I think I'll leave it as is. I'm not gonna use it for shooting anyhow. Ketil (Who still is curios about the S. P. L. marking.)

08-24-2001, 05:15 PM	#10
Walt User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: police Luger? Your seller wasÃ?Âright on! S.P.L. on theÃ?Âfront strapÃ?Âis indeed "Schutzpolizei Leipzig", and to reiterateÃ?Âeveryone else, don't replace that hold open!

08-26-2001, 02:14 PM	#11
mlm Guest Posts: n/a	Re: police Luger? Your hold open could probably be repaired for the same price as buying a new one. Even if more $'s, it is important to retain the original part. The first non-original part is the most costly, taking an all-original luger from a typical $900 down to $400 value in an instant. Subsequent replaced parts have little effect on value. The S.P.L. marking may be an early marking from the early 1920's. Later pistols tend to be more standardized in style and this is noted on the military lugers, too. This is not my comment but from an older luger expert. Occasionally, a school stamp appears that looks similar to a police stamp but is slightly different. Still identifies most of the school stamps as beginning with the letter P. S.P.L. is mentioned on p196 of Jan Still's WEIMAR LUGERS as corresponding with a Saxony police department unlike most police marked lugers which are Prussian.