Commercial .30 --what can you tell me about it?

[Stu]

Don't forget, when it comes to paperwork, the letter is part of the serial number.

[phoneman517191]

Thanks to all for the all of this information.

It is very difficult for the beginner to understand Luger markings and background. I am surprised that there are machine milling marks above the safety lever. I would have thought that the finish would have been of higher quality at this time of manufacture. And where on the safety lever should it be numbered?

The take down lever isn't numbered and doesn't have a straw finish--a disappointment. And I suspect the pistol has been reblued---some of the frame has a red tint to the blue and other parts--don't--the grip straps are without the red tint.

Thanks again. I found some 7.65mm luger ammo and will take it to the range. I have owned the Luger since 1985 and have never shot it.

[spangy]

Originally Posted by phoneman517191

And where on the safety lever should it be numbered?

The 2 digit # is found at the top of the safety lever ... but is not always there as some guns have generic parts.





The safety's blade should also be marked if the safety is marked.

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by phoneman517191

I am surprised that there are machine milling marks above the safety lever. I would have thought that the finish would have been of higher quality at this time of manufacture.

Early DWM Lugers were often free of milling marks; finished beautifully. (Erfurt, a Royal military arsenal, never finished their Lugers as well as DWM, a private company) My father once owned a 1915 DWM Artillery model that he said had absolutely no milling marks anywhere. As the war dragged on, milling marks being polished out became less important as demand increased. After the war Germany was in dire straits for hard cash and while DWM made excellent Lugers, they weren't quite as well finished as pre-war guns.