1917 DMW in 30 Luger

TheDuke635 · 12-25-2020, 05:37 PM

Just picked up this Luger and would like some more information on it it's 1917 dated serial number 3407 and it's in 30 Luger I'm not sure if it's a commercial Luger or not. .... The grips are some of those old sports Inc grips from Chicago..also I got it for $450

Doubs · 12-25-2020, 05:57 PM

Many thousands of Imperial military Lugers were re-barreled following WW1 for sale in foreign countries - especially the United States - for much needed hard currency. The practice also helped to make use of arms that otherwise would have been destroyed because of provisions imposed by the Allies. Large numbers were re-barreled in .30 caliber. Some had the date scrubbed while others, like yours, did not.

Measured with a cleaning rod from a closed and uncocked breechface to the muzzle, your barrel likely measures 95mm in length.

Looking at your pictures, there isn't much to be determined except that because it's a DWM, it left the factory as an Artillery Luger with an 8 inch barrel. DWM only notched the receivers of guns they made into Artillery models. Your magazine appears to have a wood bottom which is correct.

I have an Erfurt that was done exactly as yours except the date was removed. It is a 100% matching pistol other than the replacement barrel.

If anything like mine, yours will be an excellent shooter.

TheDuke635 · 12-25-2020, 06:07 PM

You are correct it does have a wooden bottom to the magazine.. what do you mean by notched receiver? I'm pretty pleased with it I've wanted a Luger for a long time and this one was a steel when I got it the action was really loose and taking it apart I noticed they put it together wrong so I fixed that and now it works perfectly I have yet to shoot it but I'm excited to do so

Ron Wood · 12-25-2020, 06:16 PM

Receiver notch

TheDuke635 · 12-25-2020, 06:19 PM

I just noticed that ...I think that's a pretty neat history and I guess I didn't do too bad for $450

Heinz · 12-25-2020, 06:33 PM

Nice, hopefully, it will be a great shooter. Right now I think you can buy 30 Luger cheaper than 9 mm and it is more available.

Doubs · 12-25-2020, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDuke635

I just noticed that ...I think that's a pretty neat history and I guess I didn't do too bad for $450

The notch was required for the rear sight of an Artillery Luger to sit in at it's lowest setting. Ron has posted an excellent picture of a notched receiver.

If your Luger has a decent bore, you did better than OK. That was a gift.

TheDuke635 · 12-25-2020, 06:37 PM

I bought the dies and some brass and some bullets to reload 30 luger so I think I'm good there!.... And the bore is really nice

Heinz · 12-26-2020, 07:45 AM

Lots of reloading info here in the General Discussions Forum under the reloading heading. Have fun.

The 30 with hollow points in a wicked little round

rhuff · 12-26-2020, 04:32 PM

I might suggest that you FIRST try your new Luger with factory ammo, and a Mec-Gar mag. The old wood based mags have a tendency to split when loaded after all these years. That would be a shame as these old mags have value. Lugers like to be clean and well lubed.

If your Luger runs correctly with factory ammo and a good mag, then have at reloading the brass. A lot of us on this forum handload 7.65Para, and have for many years.

TheDuke635 · 12-31-2020, 10:47 AM

Well I put new grips on it and I cleaned it up and it looks a whole lot better

Doubs · 12-31-2020, 12:11 PM

Nice! The grips do improve the looks. I'd be pleased to own it.

12-25-2020, 05:37 PM	#1
TheDuke635 User Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	1917 DMW in 30 Luger Just picked up this Luger and would like some more information on it it's 1917 dated serial number 3407 and it's in 30 Luger I'm not sure if it's a commercial Luger or not. .... The grips are some of those old sports Inc grips from Chicago..also I got it for $450 Attached Thumbnails

12-25-2020, 06:16 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	Receiver notch Attached Thumbnails __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

12-26-2020, 04:32 PM	#10
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,308 Thanks: 2,737 Thanked 993 Times in 729 Posts	I might suggest that you FIRST try your new Luger with factory ammo, and a Mec-Gar mag. The old wood based mags have a tendency to split when loaded after all these years. That would be a shame as these old mags have value. Lugers like to be clean and well lubed. If your Luger runs correctly with factory ammo and a good mag, then have at reloading the brass. A lot of us on this forum handload 7.65Para, and have for many years. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

12-31-2020, 10:47 AM	#11
TheDuke635 User Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Well I put new grips on it and I cleaned it up and it looks a whole lot better Attached Thumbnails

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12-25-2020, 05:57 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 819 Thanked 1,769 Times in 586 Posts	Many thousands of Imperial military Lugers were re-barreled following WW1 for sale in foreign countries - especially the United States - for much needed hard currency. The practice also helped to make use of arms that otherwise would have been destroyed because of provisions imposed by the Allies. Large numbers were re-barreled in .30 caliber. Some had the date scrubbed while others, like yours, did not. Measured with a cleaning rod from a closed and uncocked breechface to the muzzle, your barrel likely measures 95mm in length. Looking at your pictures, there isn't much to be determined except that because it's a DWM, it left the factory as an Artillery Luger with an 8 inch barrel. DWM only notched the receivers of guns they made into Artillery models. Your magazine appears to have a wood bottom which is correct. I have an Erfurt that was done exactly as yours except the date was removed. It is a 100% matching pistol other than the replacement barrel. If anything like mine, yours will be an excellent shooter.

12-25-2020, 06:07 PM	#3
TheDuke635 User Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	You are correct it does have a wooden bottom to the magazine.. what do you mean by notched receiver? I'm pretty pleased with it I've wanted a Luger for a long time and this one was a steel when I got it the action was really loose and taking it apart I noticed they put it together wrong so I fixed that and now it works perfectly I have yet to shoot it but I'm excited to do so

12-25-2020, 06:19 PM	#5
TheDuke635 User Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	I just noticed that ...I think that's a pretty neat history and I guess I didn't do too bad for $450

12-25-2020, 06:33 PM	#6
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	Nice, hopefully, it will be a great shooter. Right now I think you can buy 30 Luger cheaper than 9 mm and it is more available.

12-25-2020, 06:37 PM	#8
TheDuke635 User Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	I bought the dies and some brass and some bullets to reload 30 luger so I think I'm good there!.... And the bore is really nice

12-26-2020, 07:45 AM	#9
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	Lots of reloading info here in the General Discussions Forum under the reloading heading. Have fun. The 30 with hollow points in a wicked little round

12-31-2020, 12:11 PM	#12
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 819 Thanked 1,769 Times in 586 Posts	Nice! The grips do improve the looks. I'd be pleased to own it.