Trying to ID a Luger, Newby

[mikec]

Glade I found your site, it looks great. I've just recently taken possession of my grandfathers Luger. I'm getting mixed stories of its history but I can describe in detail the pistol and in a week I can get some pics up on the site for viewing.

Quick about me, I am a SGT in the US Army and always have been a gun buff, but this is my first real ownership of any weapon, so I know a lot but have handled very little.

It is a .30 Luger in beautiful shape (I'll tell you about the one real flaw near the end). It is a DWM but no other marking on top of the slide. I don't know if it is proper to post serial numbers but it is a high 4-digit number with a single cursive "o" after it. All serial numbers match. It has the N-crown inspection stamp. It has Gesichert (safety) on it. It is stamped with GERMANY on the side of the slide near the take-down pin. It has one magazine with no serial on it. That's it for the markings. I'm thinking this is a commercially production but not sure.

Now for its condition. The barrel looks dirty but I need to get it inspected for pitting. The bluing is old but in immaculate shape. The big flaw and here is part of the story that has gotten mixed up over time. Some how a Birmingham police officer got the pistol around 1930 and used it has his duty weapon. It was then given to my Grandfather, the man who installed the first ever radios in the Bham police cars, in around 1933. One of the grips has been sanded about where your finger tips lie and if you look there has been 17-notches carved into the grip then sanded off. Are only thought is that the Officer did it.

Anyway, if someone could give me an idea on the date of this it would be great. My Grandfather turns 99 this year and still has some of his faculties but they are slipping and I would love to let him know something.

[mikec]

Well I have already been getting immersed in your site and can pretty much tell this is a commercial P-08. If a moderator would like to move this to the commercial area, that is fine. Also travel restrictions are going to keep me from getting photos for a while. I am home on leave, just getting back from Iraq, and I am going back to Fort Lee by train and cannot carry it. New I should have brought my camera with me!

[Edward Tinker]

Welcome to the forum Mike, I am retired army (SSG), as are many folks on the forum.

Actually, you could carry your gun cross country, either train, automobile or plane, there are just precautions and rules to follow.


Giving serial numbers is up to you, I don't understand the "security" aspect of doing it (I work in the security field). Your luger was most likely made as a commercial gun in the 1920's, if original (and not s refurbished WW1 gun), it was made in the mid 1920's.


ed

[mikec]

How would I travel with it? I read in the Amtrak literature no weapons allowed but they never searched or x-rayed my stuff. I have no problem boxing it up nicly and keeping my mouth shut but my always-motherly mom is concerned and asked me not to until I come home in my own car.

[Edward Tinker]

hmmm, never gone via Amtrak (with a gun), I have flown with guns many times. I would think nothing of it, get a lockable small case, put it into your suitcase.

Interesting, even checked bags it is not allowed:

Prohibited Items

The following kinds of items are prohibited as both checked and carry-on baggage:

Any type of gun, firearm, ammunition, explosives, or weapon.

If not allowed and you could get into trouble, then have it boxed up, when you get to Ft Lee, find an FFL, send your mom the FFL from them, have her put it into the box and ship to the FFL. Or, drive it cross country, that is completely legal with unloaded guns, esp in the trunk in a box.

On base (check local regs), but I was an MP and beleive rules have not changed. You can keep it in the arms room and sign it out, or in post quarters, but not in the barracks (after registering it on post).

You can also keep it off post at a friends.

Ed

[mikec]

Yea I live in on post quarters so I can keep it there, just have to register in within 72-hrs with the MPs. Virgina is pretty cool to, If i wanted to carry it they have a no-permit open carry so I could have it on my hip as long as I didn't have it under a coat (but I would never carry it, all though I would like to have it inspected to see if I could put a few rounds through it just to experiance it).

I just have to get it there. Oh well, if not this trip, maybe another in the future. I should be home again before May. Thanks!

[Edward Tinker]

BTW, I did not add much to your luger, cuz i think you are right on with your reading.

Ed

[John Sabato]

Another alternative for getting the gun is to apply for a Collector of Curios & Relics License. It costs $30 for 3 years and includes about 15 pounds of federal gun law literature. It entitles you to receive "Curios & Relics" firearms through interstate commerce. It also takes about 30-90 days for the license approval if you are not in a hurry... but you will have to pay a Federal Firearms Dealer at least that much just to receive the weapon for you ONCE. Having your own C&R License can be pretty convenient if you come across an eligible handgun at a gunshow... there is no waiting period for a license holder.

Welcome to the Lugerforum from a fellow Virginian (I live in Winchester)... Drop me a PM if you head up this way on I-81... I will be glad to inspect you Luger for you...

Thanks for serving our country.


John Sabato
(US Army Retired)

[John Sabato]

Problem solved!

It just occured to me that you can get around the prohibition on carrying the Luger on the train LEGALLY.

Take the gun apart... carry the GRIP FRAME only back with you on the train. It won't be a complete firearm, so you are not violating the law. The rest of the Luger can be sent to you legally through the US Postal Service by your family. I recommend Priority Mail with delivery confirmation (only $9.05 if you buy the shipping label online from USPS.com).

Once you get the rest of the parts, assemble the gun and register it at the MP Headquarters... Don't forget that the small letter character under the serial number on the front of the frame is part of the serial number.

Problem solved!