1916 DWM Luger - Help Needed

velodog455~ · 09-13-2024, 11:12 AM

About alphabet Lugers... During the transition period wherein DWM morphed into Mauser, post WW1 commercial Lugers were made with serial numbers consisting of a four number prefix and a one letter suffix. The letter suffixes on those Weimar commercial Lugers came to be known (informally) as the "alphabet series".

The one you are looking at appears to be 5395a. If so then the "a" pistols were allegedly made in 1920. There is a chart many people use to identify manufacturing dates for alphabet Lugers that I am unable to copy for you. Maybe someone here can provide that.

By contrast I have a Weimar alphabet Luger like the one you're looking at with a "r" suffix, indicating 1928 manufacture. They got to the "y" suffix in 1930, and after that DWM became Mauser, or so I deduce. I think I have all that correct but am happy to be corrected if anyone knows better.

I hope you bought it for $800 as that is a very good price.
-Bob

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09-13-2024, 11:12 AM	#23
velodog455~ User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 100 Thanks: 28 Thanked 89 Times in 52 Posts	About alphabet Lugers... During the transition period wherein DWM morphed into Mauser, post WW1 commercial Lugers were made with serial numbers consisting of a four number prefix and a one letter suffix. The letter suffixes on those Weimar commercial Lugers came to be known (informally) as the "alphabet series". The one you are looking at appears to be 5395a. If so then the "a" pistols were allegedly made in 1920. There is a chart many people use to identify manufacturing dates for alphabet Lugers that I am unable to copy for you. Maybe someone here can provide that. By contrast I have a Weimar alphabet Luger like the one you're looking at with a "r" suffix, indicating 1928 manufacture. They got to the "y" suffix in 1930, and after that DWM became Mauser, or so I deduce. I think I have all that correct but am happy to be corrected if anyone knows better. I hope you bought it for $800 as that is a very good price. -Bob