Info on DWM 1918 PLEASE! - Page 2

Norme · 11-29-2009, 10:26 PM

Hi Kevin, Your i block I918 was manufactured in the summer of 1918 so it did not see much WWI service (hostilities ended Nov 11).
i figure your gun at the low end of "collector grade". Regards, Norm

heers68 · 11-29-2009, 10:40 PM

Norme, Thanks for addressing my questions!

FNorm, Thanks again,glad you liked the pics. Yea,I cant help but to shoot every gun I own,seems cruel not to let these guns do what they were built to do....like not letting a champion horse run!

Toggle locks??Oh krap! Have any idea's on my WW2 grip markings? or about a $$ replacement value on this Luger?...

MFC · 11-29-2009, 10:45 PM

Kevin,
The original grips (1918) were numbered to the gun with the last two digits. I don't remember exactly but I think that the E/655 showed up around 1940-41. So I think the grips were cut to fit over an already clipped mag safety. The E stamped on the grip is an inspectors mark. You will also find initials or numbers randomly stamped on other parts of the gun. They were applied at different stages of production.

heers68 · 11-29-2009, 10:56 PM

MFC,

Yes,my other grip plate is numbered to the gun. I believe "655" was a mauser proof, guess this grip was made by them...guessing the original on this side must have been damaged and replaced by this one during WW2.

Kevin.

wlyon · 11-30-2009, 12:30 AM

I would definately say this is a collector luger. One would really need to see it in person to give an accurate appraisal. You took excellent pictures but pictures are sometimes hard to read as far as originality. It's hard to tell on the grip. It is a Mauser grip. Could have been put on anywhere after the 1930's. Very nice luger. Now you need a 1918 holster. You need to obtain a copy of Jan Still's new book " Central Power Pistols". Excellent book with very nice pictures and much info. Welcome to the Forum. Be aware that lugers are contagious and one cannot live with one. Bill

alanint · 11-30-2009, 08:36 AM

Can anyone who owns a non-altered magazine safety pistol post a photo? I've seen a number of removed and clipped mag safeties, but never an intact one...

Ron Wood · 11-30-2009, 10:29 AM

heers68,
I really can't add much to what the other guys have posted. I have been collecting for 52 years.

alanint,
Not the best photo of an intact mag safety, but here it is:

alanint · 11-30-2009, 10:55 AM

So mag safety lugers also had a plunger? under the sideplate, which when depressed, (i.e. no magazine holding it out) prevented the trigger from moving back? Where these plungers also removed along with clipping the actuator bar?

Ron Wood · 11-30-2009, 11:13 AM

You are correct about the functioning of the plunger. The magazine safeties were usually deactivated by completely removing them. But if they were left on the gun, generally only the tab that went behind the trigger was removed. I have seen examples where the safety was removed and the little slot on the side of the frame was welded up and refinished.

Douglas Jr. · 12-02-2009, 07:36 AM

Great Luger in nice condition!
I bet you wear a mask when you stole it, I mean, bought it...
Congratulations!
Douglas

11-29-2009, 10:45 PM	#23
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Kevin, The original grips (1918) were numbered to the gun with the last two digits. I don't remember exactly but I think that the E/655 showed up around 1940-41. So I think the grips were cut to fit over an already clipped mag safety. The E stamped on the grip is an inspectors mark. You will also find initials or numbers randomly stamped on other parts of the gun. They were applied at different stages of production. __________________ Mike C.

11-30-2009, 12:30 AM	#25
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	I would definately say this is a collector luger. One would really need to see it in person to give an accurate appraisal. You took excellent pictures but pictures are sometimes hard to read as far as originality. It's hard to tell on the grip. It is a Mauser grip. Could have been put on anywhere after the 1930's. Very nice luger. Now you need a 1918 holster. You need to obtain a copy of Jan Still's new book " Central Power Pistols". Excellent book with very nice pictures and much info. Welcome to the Forum. Be aware that lugers are contagious and one cannot live with one. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

11-30-2009, 10:29 AM	#27
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	heers68, I really can't add much to what the other guys have posted. I have been collecting for 52 years. alanint, Not the best photo of an intact mag safety, but here it is: Attached Images __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-30-2009, 11:13 AM	#29
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	You are correct about the functioning of the plunger. The magazine safeties were usually deactivated by completely removing them. But if they were left on the gun, generally only the tab that went behind the trigger was removed. I have seen examples where the safety was removed and the little slot on the side of the frame was welded up and refinished. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

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11-29-2009, 10:26 PM	#21
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Kevin, Your i block I918 was manufactured in the summer of 1918 so it did not see much WWI service (hostilities ended Nov 11). i figure your gun at the low end of "collector grade". Regards, Norm

11-29-2009, 10:40 PM	#22
heers68 User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: N.C. Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Norme, Thanks for addressing my questions! FNorm, Thanks again,glad you liked the pics. Yea,I cant help but to shoot every gun I own,seems cruel not to let these guns do what they were built to do....like not letting a champion horse run! Toggle locks??Oh krap! Have any idea's on my WW2 grip markings? or about a $$ replacement value on this Luger?...

11-29-2009, 10:56 PM	#24
heers68 User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: N.C. Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	MFC, Yes,my other grip plate is numbered to the gun. I believe "655" was a mauser proof, guess this grip was made by them...guessing the original on this side must have been damaged and replaced by this one during WW2. Kevin.

11-30-2009, 08:36 AM	#26
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Can anyone who owns a non-altered magazine safety pistol post a photo? I've seen a number of removed and clipped mag safeties, but never an intact one...

11-30-2009, 10:55 AM	#28
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	So mag safety lugers also had a plunger? under the sideplate, which when depressed, (i.e. no magazine holding it out) prevented the trigger from moving back? Where these plungers also removed along with clipping the actuator bar?

12-02-2009, 07:36 AM	#30
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Great Luger in nice condition! I bet you wear a mask when you stole it, I mean, bought it... Congratulations! Douglas