1917 dwm

[ithacaartist]

Welcome to the forum, Paul. A cursive lower-case letter would be expected (Odds are 26-to-1) on a military Luger, and it's the "letter suffix"--part of the serial number. Each manufactured "block' of pistols contained 10,000 pistols, and after 9,999, the numbers started all over again, but with the next letter as the suffix.

Check out the FAQ--recommend, for example, because this question is explained there! If you're bitten by the Luger bug, the best way to maintain (there is no cure) the fever in the beginning days at Luger University is to read, read, and read some more--On this, as well as Jan Still's forum, the basic books that cover history and development of the pistol (Some books that give a good, general overview are quite affordable.), and anything else you can find--YouTube, Gerard Henrotin's e-books, etc.

We'd like to see some pics of your weapon, too. There's a FAQ about the basics of what pics to take, and the best way to have good results...

If yours turns out to be collectible, you may choose to refrain from actually shooting it. After a brief incubation, Luger Fever usually compels the patient to shoot one. If you're into the systems and mechanics of them, a relatively cheap shooter would allow you the opportunity to become familiar with them, inside and out, as well as conserve this first one if it is not a shooter. If it is shooter grade for some reason, that's good because the fun at the range can begin almost immediately. But let's hold our water, here, until we figure out what you have and what you intend to do with it.