Luger identication help

sheepherder · 05-28-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

If you haven't gotten in trouble with Albert, you probably have very little to contribute to a spirited debate. Welcome to the club!

P.S. This is not a slam at Albert...he is a good guy, just stubborn and a little short on tact.

For those of us who have not read Albert's abbreviated bio, it can be found here -

http://luger.gunboards.com/showpost....6&postcount=59

LugerVern · 05-30-2011, 09:50 AM

Hi Pepe

You have an interesting gun, yes it has been restored and as such will drive collectors crazy with speculations.

Many consider a restored gun to be a fake no matter what the quality, it is hard to discuss possibilities with thoes who see things only in that light.

Your gun has several issues, Ron says the numbers are not correct and I agree with him, but this is common to many restorations

What is the 20 number? It could be an inventory number from a school, a police department, a special security guard force, guns hand selected for a special purpose from a larger batch. It could have a dozen or so reasons for being.

I would try and find some connection, go back as far as you can in its history of ownership, you might find the answer.

The made in Germany stamp is not just a one way stamp, often we find guns that have come originally to the USA and then back overseas. We sometimes forget that we had marketers who would have sold guns not to just the USA but to oversea contacts as well had the opportunity given itself.

It was all about making money.

Don't give up on your gun, it is very nice to look at and could have some historical importance. You may never be able to prove it however.

I noticed something in one of your pictures that I did find interesting, there is what appears to be the remnant of a Crown B at about the one o'clock position near the 20.
Hard to see but I think something is there.

Thanks for posting Pepe! always interesting

Vern

LugerVern · 02-17-2012, 12:04 PM

Hi Pepe

The numbers on your gun have been redone at some point, there is very little doubt. Exactly when this was done no one will be able to tell you. So your friend may very well be telling the truth.

I have looked at your gun very closely and I believe your gun is actually in the 15000 range not the 1500 range.

I see a proper DWM 1 & 5 above your SN and based on the spacing believe that your gun is SN 15584

This is based on the pictures you provided and there is some chance of error in the exact number.

I would like for the other members to comment on my observations.

The 1900's are a little out of my area so my question to them is if I am correct would this make the rest of the gun more appropriate, safety lever for example.

As far as your gun being a Portuguese Test gun, we have a long way to go to prove this but if I am correct in the SN this is much closer to the range that we would expect. that being around 18700

I look forward to hearing from the other members

Vern

05-30-2011, 09:50 AM	#2
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Hi Pepe You have an interesting gun, yes it has been restored and as such will drive collectors crazy with speculations. Many consider a restored gun to be a fake no matter what the quality, it is hard to discuss possibilities with thoes who see things only in that light. Your gun has several issues, Ron says the numbers are not correct and I agree with him, but this is common to many restorations What is the 20 number? It could be an inventory number from a school, a police department, a special security guard force, guns hand selected for a special purpose from a larger batch. It could have a dozen or so reasons for being. I would try and find some connection, go back as far as you can in its history of ownership, you might find the answer. The made in Germany stamp is not just a one way stamp, often we find guns that have come originally to the USA and then back overseas. We sometimes forget that we had marketers who would have sold guns not to just the USA but to oversea contacts as well had the opportunity given itself. It was all about making money. Don't give up on your gun, it is very nice to look at and could have some historical importance. You may never be able to prove it however. I noticed something in one of your pictures that I did find interesting, there is what appears to be the remnant of a Crown B at about the one o'clock position near the 20. Hard to see but I think something is there. Thanks for posting Pepe! always interesting Vern Attached Images

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02-17-2012, 12:04 PM	#3
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Hi Pepe The numbers on your gun have been redone at some point, there is very little doubt. Exactly when this was done no one will be able to tell you. So your friend may very well be telling the truth. I have looked at your gun very closely and I believe your gun is actually in the 15000 range not the 1500 range. I see a proper DWM 1 & 5 above your SN and based on the spacing believe that your gun is SN 15584 This is based on the pictures you provided and there is some chance of error in the exact number. I would like for the other members to comment on my observations. The 1900's are a little out of my area so my question to them is if I am correct would this make the rest of the gun more appropriate, safety lever for example. As far as your gun being a Portuguese Test gun, we have a long way to go to prove this but if I am correct in the SN this is much closer to the range that we would expect. that being around 18700 I look forward to hearing from the other members Vern