My new luger

[Cwilson]

hello everyone i have taken enough pictures and thought i should now find out what i have got.

Serial number of 536b. has 1920 property mark, police sear safety,
The front strap is marked S. Ar.1.I.306 . all matching numbers on all parts

The right side has 3 marks on it like eagles or snowflakes the 1st is barely there.

Holster is marked 1./ R.R.13.14. . Made by "THICKE(?) IN 1918"
behind the belt loop it is stamped in a box "L.Z. ST. J .FBG"

I am attaching pictures

[Cwilson]

unit markings

[Cwilson]

3

[Cwilson]

4th

[Cwilson]

5th

[Cwilson]

spare clip

[RylanBrissette]

Well the pictures of your Luger are not the best, but it appears from some of your photos that the finish is real glossy. It also appears the edges seem smoothly rounded over. I think some of this Luger could have been reblued.

[Dwight Gruber]

Actually this pistol is not property marked, it is a 1920 dated DWM manufactured for state use. The proof marks are either eagle/ArA4 or e/WaA4, it is hard to tell from your photos but you may be able to tell. These are stamps of the Waffenamt, the government weapons office, which accepted guns for the army and police during that time.

--Dwight

[Don M]

Chris,

This is a very interesting mark of the Schutzpolizei or possibly Sicherheitspolizei of the Prussian administrative district of Arnsberg. The vertical slash is very curious but at least one other example exists on this Imperial-era tool:



I am writing a book on German police markings and would greatly appreciate your permission to include your photo of the grip strap. I will, of course, credit you. Thanks very much.

[Edward Tinker]

Don, I have this one, no slash though;


ed

[Don M]

Ed,

Very interesting. The use of these capital letters in S.Ar. markings is another oddity of this district.

[Cwilson]

thanks every one for the help.
but as i learn more, i seem to know less.
1st I think it is definatly a police pistol, but which dept? Schutzpolizei or Sicherheitspolizei?
2nd, I think it was made in 1920, but i am not sure.
3rd, how do i tell a reblue?
4th, how is it marked wrong? and Dwight how would i find out about prooof marks being correct?
So does this mean it is the 306th weapon of the arnsburg police?
And Don if you would p[ossibly give proper credit to the original owner i would send over what ever pictures you need, he ownedthis for 60+ years and woulde great.
and last,where can i get one of those fancy tolls from arnsburg?

thanks again
Chris

[Dwight Gruber]

Chris,

The proof marks are certainly correct. The only question is whether the lettering under the eagles is ArA or WaA. The difference represents the change in the name of the inspection department.

--Dwight

[alvin]

Originally posted by Cwilson
3rd, how do i tell a reblue?

With so many Luger enthusiasts in this site, it's not easy for a reblue to hide if big and sharp pictures are available. Here is what I've observed on good gun pictures:

(1) Wipe off all surface protective gun oil & grease carefully. A pistol worth 4 digit may deserve a pair of cutton gloves to handle (available from CVS);
(2) Put it on a non-reflective red, sky blue, or grey cutton blanket;
(3) Light box will offer best result, if not available, natural light is OK, but do not take picture under direct sunlight;
(4) Turn off the flash, and turn on the macro of the digital camera;
(5) Control hand shaking, hold the breath, focus on the object and push the button... not unlike shooting a gun;
(6) Resize the picture to at least 800x600 (1024x768 is better) on computer and post.

[Don M]

Chris,

The pistol definitely belonged to the Schutzpolizei. The only uncertainty is whether it was originally marked by the predecessor Sicherheitspolizei. I wouldn't worry about it.

It was definitely manufactured in 1920.

The permission needs to come from the person who owns (took) the photos, not necessarily the owner of the gun. You can email me at the address below with the correct name for the credit. If you do take better photos, please email them as well so I can use the best possible image. Thanks very much.

To add to alvin's recommendations:
* If your camera has the ability to set a custom white balance, use it to avoid color errors from the background or the lighting
* Use a tripod or at least a monopod to steady the camera.