Need Info!!!!

Dwight Gruber · 06-11-2007, 02:49 AM

Tim,

Your additional pictures confirm that the date and right receiver marks have been removed. The machining marks on the top of the receiver are not found on unmodified guns, and the right receiver shows evidence of "sanding" on its surface. The angle of the line in the rounded receiver area above this sanding indicates that material has been removed.

From 1900 until 1921 DWM serialized commercial Parabellum pistols in a series beginning with 1, and extending to 92000. The part of this serial range from approximately sn 75000 (with some overlap) to sn 92000 have come to be called by collectors "20 DWM". At this point DWM, realizing that the coming extension of the serial range to six digits was going to be impractical to stamp, converted the serial numbering to the military style (four digits with letter suffix), which collectors have come to call "Alphabet Commercial."

In the arithmetic calculation of serial number progression with letter suffix, 2000i is the equivalent of 92000, and that is where the commercial serial range continues. The complete explanation is not complicated, but it is fairly long and somewhat of a digression. If you do a Forum search on "Alphabet Commercial", "serial numbering", and the like (coupled with my name), you will certainly find the long version.

Your gun, being letter suffix a, simply is not in this series.

Considering the rework nature of this gun, the number on the takedown lever does not detract from its value.

The magazine is a beast unto itself. Being a commercial magazine it is not inappropriate to this gun, but an unmarked, plain wood-base magazine would be more representitive of the type. It is the magazine which would be of interest to a Navy collector.

Your barrel length question is a perceptive one. By the regulations set forth under the Treaty of Versailles, German pistol makers were barred from manufacturing guns of "military caliber" (9mm), or with barrels of military length, i.e. 4 inches. The 3 3/4-inch barrel was the length chosen to comply (I presume your gun is in cal. .30 Luger).

From the photos, it appears that your Luger is in pretty good condition.

Check your private messages.

--Dwight

06-11-2007, 02:49 AM	#33
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Tim, Your additional pictures confirm that the date and right receiver marks have been removed. The machining marks on the top of the receiver are not found on unmodified guns, and the right receiver shows evidence of "sanding" on its surface. The angle of the line in the rounded receiver area above this sanding indicates that material has been removed. From 1900 until 1921 DWM serialized commercial Parabellum pistols in a series beginning with 1, and extending to 92000. The part of this serial range from approximately sn 75000 (with some overlap) to sn 92000 have come to be called by collectors "20 DWM". At this point DWM, realizing that the coming extension of the serial range to six digits was going to be impractical to stamp, converted the serial numbering to the military style (four digits with letter suffix), which collectors have come to call "Alphabet Commercial." In the arithmetic calculation of serial number progression with letter suffix, 2000i is the equivalent of 92000, and that is where the commercial serial range continues. The complete explanation is not complicated, but it is fairly long and somewhat of a digression. If you do a Forum search on "Alphabet Commercial", "serial numbering", and the like (coupled with my name), you will certainly find the long version. Your gun, being letter suffix a, simply is not in this series. Considering the rework nature of this gun, the number on the takedown lever does not detract from its value. The magazine is a beast unto itself. Being a commercial magazine it is not inappropriate to this gun, but an unmarked, plain wood-base magazine would be more representitive of the type. It is the magazine which would be of interest to a Navy collector. Your barrel length question is a perceptive one. By the regulations set forth under the Treaty of Versailles, German pistol makers were barred from manufacturing guns of "military caliber" (9mm), or with barrels of military length, i.e. 4 inches. The 3 3/4-inch barrel was the length chosen to comply (I presume your gun is in cal. .30 Luger). From the photos, it appears that your Luger is in pretty good condition. Check your private messages. --Dwight