DWM 1920 "n" suffix research (Polizei)

[Don M]

Hi Jes,

I am thrilled that someone is researching the 1920-dated DWMs with "n" suffixes. This series has puzzled me for a long time. I will add to your survey from my database as soon as I have a chance. In the interim, I will offer these observations:

* I believe the "n" series was produced by DWM in 1920 in addition to the "no suffix," "a" and "b" series. Although your Luger apparently has both "b" and "n" suffixes in odd locations, the others I have observed have only "n" in the proper locations and no evidence of alterations.

* I doubt that the chamber of your Luger has been ground. If your observation that it is "thinner" on top is based on the distance between the flange of the barrel and the edge of the chamber, it is normal for this distance to be less on top than toward the sides.

* Not all of this series is double-dated. Many have only the 1920 manufacture date and no 1920 property stamp.

* Because of my research interests, my data is limited to only those pistols with police propery markings; however, I have observed a number of pistols that apparently were not police owned. If I remember correctly, at least one had Reichswehr markings.

[sej-gun]

Don, we see forward to hear more about the ”n” suffix Lugers, that you have in your database!
It will be very interesting if we can clear up that this Lugere`s actually was manufacture in 1920.
About the camber grounding, looks likes this part has cleared up. Thanks!
And as you says; we have interesting in all DWM 1920Lugers whit “n” suffix, whit or whit out Police or Reichswehr unit markings.
Reg. Jes

[Don M]

Jes - Here are the data from my database. These all have DWM toggles and 1920 chamber dates. The information is listed in the order of your request. All of the mag safeties listed were removed or deactivated. In the cases of multiple police markings, I have listed only the ones I believe are the earliest.

167n; no 1920 ps (property stamp); ss (sear safety); ms (mag safety); E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.82.R.
991n; no 1920 ps; ? ss & ms; ? acceptances; S.Br.I.1194.
1216n; no 1920 ps; ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.B.13x15.
1527n; no 1920 ps; no ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.VIII.3.117.
20xxn; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Kg.I.94.
3067n; 1920 ps; ss removed; ms removed; E/WaA4 acceptances; S.E.I.560.
3108n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Wpr.II.105.
3175n; 1920 ps; no ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Op.I.432.
3176n; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Me.I ? 772.
32xxn; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptance; S.Mg.904.
4134n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; ? acceptances; S.Sch I.953.
4137n; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Br.I.229
4197n; no 1920 ps; ss; no ms; ? acceptances; S.Br.I.159.
4208n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.282.R.
4388n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; ? acceptances; S.Mg.934.
4605n; 1920 ps; no ss; no ms; ? acceptances; S.S.2.II.6.23.
4647n; no 1920 ps; ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.P.Bn.241
4669n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Mg.901.
5204n; no 1920 ps; ss; no ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.S.2.II.7.18.
5321n; no 1920 ps; ss; ? ms; “Weimar” acceptance stamps; S.Op.V 319.
5335n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Mg.596.
5681n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.B.8550.
6190n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.131.R.
6360n; 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; ? acceptances; S.Op.I.446.
6655n; no 1920 ps; ? ss; ? ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; L.P.Th.Nr.1503
6711n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.Br.I.1018.
6938n; no 1920 ps; ss; ms; ? acceptances; L.P.Th.Nr.1447
7138n; no 1920 ps; ss; ? ms; E/ArA4 acceptances; S.D.I.312.R.

There are three more (2977n, 3816n, 9483n) listed in my old posting on this (http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=5525). 2977n was cited by Jan Still as being a Reichswehr pistol. I am not sure now where I got the other two from. If 9483n is a valid number, it would appear that a full series of 10,000 was produced. If not, the series may have terminated around 7500n.

Note that very few of the above have the 1920 government property stamp. I suspect that it was not required since the 1920 chamber date clearly identified these pistols as belonging to the government. DWM manufactured these specifically for military and police use.

Most of the police markings are from Prussian Schutzpolizei units but a few are from Thüringen and Bremen.