Commercial Luger ID Mystery - Page 2

Hugo Borchardt · 05-31-2009, 02:49 PM

Below are detailed photos of my Luger in 7.65 .30. I would like opinions on its proper classification. Is it a 1920 Commercial, a Commercial DWM, a Commercial DWM Rework?

1) It has a 4 3/4" thin barrel. Single witness mark overlaps between barrel and receiver lines up perfectly and the barrel bears matching serial #s.

Page 258 of Mr. Still's Weimar and Early Nazi Lugers mentions 1919-1933 "Commercial Rework Lugers" at the top which are known with various barrels, but not typical. Page 267 says "Some 1920's era Lugers were not in the 4 or letter suffix serial range", and shows an example with serial #1. The barrel and front sight are very similar to the AF one on page 269 and the ones on page 280, 284.

2) Serial # is 628 with no suffix. All matching numbers. Came with a mismatched serial #'d aluminum bottom mag which I swapped with a blank wood bottom mag. Though there are exceptions, all the books I read show 1920 commercials as serial # range in the i to r suffix blocks.

3) The takedown lever has a 28 stamped on front of it. Other commercials I have seen have the serial in a more discrete location, like the bottom.

4) Check out the front sight. the back of it is a different shape and the sight is taller to compensate for the thinner barrel. The rear sight does not appear to be adjustable.

The gun has crown+N proofs on it, though the one on the barrel is hard to read and could be crown over something else but I doubt it.

The gun has too much strawing on it to not be a restraw, but I am not convinced the gun has been completely reblued, if it has it is an old (arsenal?) refinish. The right side of the gun looks near mint; the left side looks rougher, say 80%?

The side plate and toggle pin are not numbered. The rear of toggle and trigger are stamped "28" serial.

just added: c/N receiver proof is horizontal (point gun straight up to read) exactly like the one on page 235 of Mr. Still's Weimar Lugers.
The gun carries no import markings!!!

Your opinions on this piece are much appreciated!

Clark in Nashville TN

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05-31-2009, 02:49 PM	#1
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 372 Thanks: 340 Thanked 143 Times in 48 Posts	Commercial Luger ID Mystery Below are detailed photos of my Luger in 7.65 .30. I would like opinions on its proper classification. Is it a 1920 Commercial, a Commercial DWM, a Commercial DWM Rework? 1) It has a 4 3/4" thin barrel. Single witness mark overlaps between barrel and receiver lines up perfectly and the barrel bears matching serial #s. Page 258 of Mr. Still's Weimar and Early Nazi Lugers mentions 1919-1933 "Commercial Rework Lugers" at the top which are known with various barrels, but not typical. Page 267 says "Some 1920's era Lugers were not in the 4 or letter suffix serial range", and shows an example with serial #1. The barrel and front sight are very similar to the AF one on page 269 and the ones on page 280, 284. 2) Serial # is 628 with no suffix. All matching numbers. Came with a mismatched serial #'d aluminum bottom mag which I swapped with a blank wood bottom mag. Though there are exceptions, all the books I read show 1920 commercials as serial # range in the i to r suffix blocks. 3) The takedown lever has a 28 stamped on front of it. Other commercials I have seen have the serial in a more discrete location, like the bottom. 4) Check out the front sight. the back of it is a different shape and the sight is taller to compensate for the thinner barrel. The rear sight does not appear to be adjustable. The gun has crown+N proofs on it, though the one on the barrel is hard to read and could be crown over something else but I doubt it. The gun has too much strawing on it to not be a restraw, but I am not convinced the gun has been completely reblued, if it has it is an old (arsenal?) refinish. The right side of the gun looks near mint; the left side looks rougher, say 80%? The side plate and toggle pin are not numbered. The rear of toggle and trigger are stamped "28" serial. just added: c/N receiver proof is horizontal (point gun straight up to read) exactly like the one on page 235 of Mr. Still's Weimar Lugers. The gun carries no import markings!!! Your opinions on this piece are much appreciated! Clark in Nashville TN Attached Thumbnails __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm Last edited by Hugo Borchardt; 06-01-2009 at 01:18 PM.