1916 DWM Luger - Help Needed

[LugerNewby]

Originally Posted by velodog455~

About alphabet Lugers... During the transition period wherein DWM morphed into Mauser, post WW1 commercial Lugers were made with serial numbers consisting of a four number prefix and a one letter suffix. The letter suffixes on those Weimar commercial Lugers came to be known (informally) as the "alphabet series".

The one you are looking at appears to be 5395a. If so then the "a" pistols were allegedly made in 1920. There is a chart many people use to identify manufacturing dates for alphabet Lugers that I am unable to copy for you. Maybe someone here can provide that.

By contrast I have a Weimar alphabet Luger like the one you're looking at with a "r" suffix, indicating 1928 manufacture. They got to the "y" suffix in 1930, and after that DWM became Mauser, or so I deduce. I think I have all that correct but am happy to be corrected if anyone knows better.

I hope you bought it for $800 as that is a very good price.
-Bob

Thanks - this was very helpful. I see the letter an the one above 'o', but....they called me last night and told me they had a mistake inventorying the gun, and it is not $800 but $1,800 (I had it on hold due to being so late the other day I was there).

Given the new $1,800 tag, I do not believe this is good deal anymore - looks like commercials in that condition go for $1,300-1,400 from my research on GB?

A more general question - what is the general premium on military over commercials from WW1 / post WW1 era (in alike condition)?

I always thought the military command 50-100% premium (more on the higher quality end, of course). Is this in the ballpark, of am I off? (I can be, again a newby in the Lugers, I have a good collection of S&W, Colts and High Standards but only 2 Lugers).

Cheers!
Slav