Hello, New to the Board

[Hizzoner]

After my Father's passing, I found a 7.65 Luger in his things.
I gather that there are a huge number of variations in Lugers and I wanted to find out where it fits in the history.
I have included pictures but the thumbnail sketch is:
7.65 mm
DWM
Stock Lug
No Grip Safety
Geladen on loaded indicator
Gesichert on safety
Stamped Germany below the barrel.
Wooden bottom Magazine, no S/N

What have I got?

[MFC]

Hello Peter,
Your Luger is classified as an Alphabet DWM commercial (formerly 1920 commercial). The full serial# is 4792k. It was made in 1922 for the US commercial market. 'GERMANY' is an export stamp indicating the country of origin per US law. It looks very nice and original. The mag you described is correct.

[mrerick]

First, welcome to the board, and condolences on the loss of your father.

These were made by DWM specifically for export during the Weimar era in Germany (between the world wars).

If it's all matching and as it appears to be in it's original finish, it's a collectible pistol. It's not valued as highly as a military Luger, but yours looks like a nice one.

Make sure to wipe off fingerprints and keep the metal surfaces lightly oiled using a preservative gun oil. Avoid getting oil on the wooden trips and magazine base.

Cheers!

Marc

[Hizzoner]

Thanks for the responses.
Dad had several items in his "collection" but the Luger was the best of the handguns.

[rhuff]

You have a very nice looking Luger. It looks familiar, as I also own an DWM alphabet Luger in 7.65 cal. They are good shooters, and I reload for mine to help defrey the cost of 30 Luger ammo. You have a "piece of your father" in that Luger, and will think of him when you look at it. Thanks for sharing.

[Edward Tinker]

Very true.

I have an old 1895 Winchester, no bluing and a chunk that was knocked out and then replaced by some different wood. Dad said that one day grandfather was out hunting deer, the rifle somehow got dropped and the horse stomped it just right and knocked out a 1x3 inch piece of wood, without breaking the stock, so they repaired it.

its being passed to my son as a family heirloom


Ed

[Hizzoner]

Originally Posted by rhuff

You have a very nice looking Luger. It looks familiar, as I also own an DWM alphabet Luger in 7.65 cal. They are good shooters, and I reload for mine to help defrey the cost of 30 Luger ammo. You have a "piece of your father" in that Luger, and will think of him when you look at it. Thanks for sharing.

Oddly enough, he never shot the Luger.
It was tucked away in the back of a drawer.
I know he had it since at least the early '50's but I didn't know he still had it.
He shot target for years in the 40's and 50's with a Hi Standard Model A and his carry gun was a Colt Army Special revolver in .38 Special.
In the years between the late 50's and now I think I saw it twice.
So, I'm more attached to those 2 than the Luger.
Wonderful piece of machinery though.
I plan on shooting it a few times and then selling it to someone who will treasure it more than I do.

[rhuff]

Of course, it is yours to do with as you choose. I think that you might think differently after you shoot this Luger....maybe not. Only you know what you want to do with it.

[Hizzoner]

Any idea on ballpark value?
He had several firearms that are "keepers".
An 1894 Winchester rifle in half octagon barrel with the takedown feature made in 1903 .
A Browning Humpback, an Ithaca 16 Ga. Double, a Remington rolling block, an 1863 Springfield, an 1873 Springfield and more.
You get the idea.
I can't keep them all.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Hizzoner

I can't keep them all.

... ... Why not???

[rhuff]

My feelings exactly!! But then, I am one of those folks that nearly always regrets selling a gun shortly after I did it. Because of that, I just "accumulate"....

[Hizzoner]

Continuing domestic bliss would be more assured if I kept the number below 15 or so. :-)

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Hizzoner

Continuing domestic bliss would be more assured if I kept the number below 15 or so. :-)

I knew it!!!

[Hizzoner]

Still curious about a ballpark value for this pistol.

[Edward Tinker]

$900-$1200

The commercial ones in 7.65mm don't sell as well, but this one looks to be in very nice shape, so could go for the higher amount, perhaps more. On the right side, opposite of the safety, by the rear ears, is that some light pitting or freckling or is it ok? That would lower the value.

Is the sideplate number 92? All hidden numbers should be a 92 (military guns were externally numbered with last 2 of the sn), and don't take into account some internal markings of letters or an odd number on frame insides etc.

If mismatched, then it is worth around $500-$700

Ed

[Hizzoner]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

$900-$1200

The commercial ones in 7.65mm don't sell as well, but this one looks to be in very nice shape, so could go for the higher amount, perhaps more. On the right side, opposite of the safety, by the rear ears, is that some light pitting or freckling or is it ok? That would lower the value.

Is the sideplate number 92? All hidden numbers should be a 92 (military guns were externally numbered with last 2 of the sn), and don't take into account some internal markings of letters or an odd number on frame insides etc.

If mismatched, then it is worth around $500-$700

Ed

Thanks for the come back.
All numbers I can find are matching but then I don't know where to look to make sure I got all of them.
The marks by the the rear ears is some surface crap that I should have wiped off before I took the pics.
This pistol had been in the back of my Dad's sock drawer for at least 50 years. I think it has seen the light of day less than 5 times in all that time. After he passed and it came to light, I shot 3 or 4 rounds through it to see what it was like, cleaned it and put it away again.
There is some minor holster wear on the left side of the barrel near the tip and a little on the left grip where the checkering isn't as sharp as it could be.
Other than that I don't think the pictures do it justice.
I am going to take some more detailed pics using indirect lighting.

Be safe, and thanks for your service.