DWM Identification

JTom · 07-22-2018, 04:21 PM

Just bought this DWM 9mm that I haven’t been smart enough to identify. Never owned a Luger before. This is marked “DWM” on the toggle but my research leads me to believe the magazine (122/37) is made by Mauser? What’s puzzling to me is that it has the correct serial number. All numbers I can find are matching but haven’t been brave enough to disassemble the gun. There is no serial number on the front toggle that I can see. From markings on the grip part of frame it looks like a police issue. You can also see the sear safety in one of the photos. Gun has a 4” barrel, a stock lug and no grip safety. Safety is engaged in the down position. Any advice is much appreciated.

Edward Tinker · 07-22-2018, 04:30 PM

What I am seeing is a late DWM (actually very close to Mauser taking over or did) police luger - it has a sear safety and a disconnected magazine safety (expected). Its Waa marking on the right shows it was accepted by the army (correct) and accepted into the police. The front grip strap markings are police.

The magazine is force matched and is a mauser period magazine.

JTom · 07-22-2018, 04:55 PM

I was told this was. WWI vintage but sounds like it’s maybe from the late 30’s? I’m guessing I overpaid at $1,000. But it’s interesting and is a sweet shooter.

sheepherder · 07-22-2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTom

I’m guessing I overpaid at $1,000.

Not in my area. You have an honest Luger; not refinished, not abused; being a police Luger is a bit of a plus IMO. Looks good. You'd have paid that from a dealer plus additional fees (again, in my area).

I'd have detail stripped (and cleaned) it immediately. There are some things that can break that you can't see (firing pin spring guide; firing pin tip; chipped extractor). And some things get gummed up and don't work right (sear pin/spring; thumb safety). Always good to know what to expect.

DonVoigt · 07-22-2018, 08:19 PM

Welcome.
The letter below the numbers is also part of the serial number; so the magazine has the same number/different letter and is not a match. As pointed out it is a later vintage magazine.

JTom · 07-22-2018, 08:38 PM

That’s an interesting observation. It doesn’t seem logical that someone would create a matching serial number and, at the same time, a different letter. What do you make of the “3” above the serial number? Would have expected a 1 or a 2 or maybe a +.

DavidJayUden · 07-22-2018, 09:02 PM

During police work or rework they probably ground the numbers but not the suffix letter off a later and restamped it to match. Police issued these with matching magazines that were not original or necessarily correct to the original gun. IMHO you did not overpay.
dju

lugerholsterrepair · 07-22-2018, 09:26 PM

What do you make of the “3” above the serial number? This indicates the 3rd spare magazine. Police were issued 3 magazines.

A + was for an extra/spare ARMY magazine.

Edward Tinker · 07-22-2018, 10:02 PM

BTW, you can barely pick up a mismatched luger for $1,000 - one matching mag on a police gun adds several hundred at a minimum. Although the 'spotty' rust takes away value, I think with oil and rubbing with a cloth or 0000 steel wool (nothing more harsh) and it'll clean up well.

Check on youtube for disassembly videos - then take your time, ensure you are careful, don't force the grips or the take down lever. Read the FAQ here, read the disassembly instructions here, Buy books, etc.

Lugerdoc · 07-23-2018, 08:51 AM

Your late 1920s Magnaberg police luger was assembled at BKIW from left over WW1 DWM parts. The magazine was added later, probably in the DDR, and reserialized to the the pistol. TH

Mac Cat · 07-23-2018, 11:15 AM

Nice pictures!

Is there no date stamp on top of the chamber ?
I can only make out some scratches, so I wondered if the date was buffed off ?

John Sabato · 07-23-2018, 12:27 PM

Could we please see a better view in good light of the top of the chamber area? Thanks.

JTom · 07-23-2018, 02:20 PM

Thanks to all for the info and advice. Attached are a couple photos of the top of the chamber. No date. Doesn’t appear to me that anything was buffed off...

John Sabato · 07-23-2018, 03:10 PM

The chamber area is not ground or buffed IMHO. Since it was made up from parts, the receiver was probably unmarked during assembly and never got date stamped.

Edward Tinker · 07-23-2018, 04:06 PM

they were not made from older parts - the 1929 era lugers might have been DWM parts, but I highly doubt they were WW1 parts by this time.

The last date you see on a DWM is 1921 - possibly 1922

Mauser first dated them in the K and G dates

Don M · 07-24-2018, 01:43 PM

The gun was issued to the Landjägerei (rural constabulary) of the Prussian administrative district of Magdeburg during the rearming of this force in 1929.

07-22-2018, 04:21 PM	#1
JTom New User Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	DWM Identification Just bought this DWM 9mm that I haven’t been smart enough to identify. Never owned a Luger before. This is marked “DWM” on the toggle but my research leads me to believe the magazine (122/37) is made by Mauser? What’s puzzling to me is that it has the correct serial number. All numbers I can find are matching but haven’t been brave enough to disassemble the gun. There is no serial number on the front toggle that I can see. From markings on the grip part of frame it looks like a police issue. You can also see the sear safety in one of the photos. Gun has a 4” barrel, a stock lug and no grip safety. Safety is engaged in the down position. Any advice is much appreciated. Attached Thumbnails

07-22-2018, 04:30 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	What I am seeing is a late DWM (actually very close to Mauser taking over or did) police luger - it has a sear safety and a disconnected magazine safety (expected). Its Waa marking on the right shows it was accepted by the army (correct) and accepted into the police. The front grip strap markings are police. The magazine is force matched and is a mauser period magazine. __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

07-22-2018, 08:19 PM	#5
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	Welcome. The letter below the numbers is also part of the serial number; so the magazine has the same number/different letter and is not a match. As pointed out it is a later vintage magazine. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-22-2018, 09:26 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	What do you make of the “3” above the serial number? This indicates the 3rd spare magazine. Police were issued 3 magazines. A + was for an extra/spare ARMY magazine. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-23-2018, 08:51 AM	#10
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Your late 1920s Magnaberg police luger was assembled at BKIW from left over WW1 DWM parts. The magazine was added later, probably in the DDR, and reserialized to the the pistol. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

07-22-2018, 04:55 PM	#3
JTom New User Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	I was told this was. WWI vintage but sounds like it’s maybe from the late 30’s? I’m guessing I overpaid at $1,000. But it’s interesting and is a sweet shooter.

07-22-2018, 08:38 PM	#6
JTom New User Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	That’s an interesting observation. It doesn’t seem logical that someone would create a matching serial number and, at the same time, a different letter. What do you make of the “3” above the serial number? Would have expected a 1 or a 2 or maybe a +.

07-22-2018, 09:02 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	During police work or rework they probably ground the numbers but not the suffix letter off a later and restamped it to match. Police issued these with matching magazines that were not original or necessarily correct to the original gun. IMHO you did not overpay. dju

07-22-2018, 10:02 PM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	BTW, you can barely pick up a mismatched luger for $1,000 - one matching mag on a police gun adds several hundred at a minimum. Although the 'spotty' rust takes away value, I think with oil and rubbing with a cloth or 0000 steel wool (nothing more harsh) and it'll clean up well. Check on youtube for disassembly videos - then take your time, ensure you are careful, don't force the grips or the take down lever. Read the FAQ here, read the disassembly instructions here, Buy books, etc.

07-23-2018, 11:15 AM	#11
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 751 Thanks: 2,156 Thanked 630 Times in 340 Posts	Nice pictures! Is there no date stamp on top of the chamber ? I can only make out some scratches, so I wondered if the date was buffed off ?

07-23-2018, 12:27 PM	#12
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Could we please see a better view in good light of the top of the chamber area? Thanks.

07-23-2018, 02:20 PM	#13
JTom New User Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks to all for the info and advice. Attached are a couple photos of the top of the chamber. No date. Doesn’t appear to me that anything was buffed off... Attached Thumbnails

07-23-2018, 03:10 PM	#14
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	The chamber area is not ground or buffed IMHO. Since it was made up from parts, the receiver was probably unmarked during assembly and never got date stamped. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-23-2018, 04:06 PM	#15
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	they were not made from older parts - the 1929 era lugers might have been DWM parts, but I highly doubt they were WW1 parts by this time. The last date you see on a DWM is 1921 - possibly 1922 Mauser first dated them in the K and G dates

07-24-2018, 01:43 PM	#16
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	The gun was issued to the Landjägerei (rural constabulary) of the Prussian administrative district of Magdeburg during the rearming of this force in 1929. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode