Estimate of Value, DWM Luger?

gotfish · 09-08-2009, 08:27 PM

Hi! I've been looking through some of the others that have asked similar questions, but I really don't know much about this as it is. So, I greatly appreciate the help from those who most likely know best.

The gun was my grandfather's and has been mine since 2003. It operates fairly well, and seems to look ok to me. I've tried to show all of the distinguishing marks as well as I can.

Thanks again for any help available! I really do appreciate it! I have other guns, and would rather turn this one into a college fund for my 2 yr old son if possible!

[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com
/2445/3901015941_e00c69eb2a_b.jpg[/IMG]

policeluger · 09-08-2009, 10:44 PM

Welcome, looks like 1920 commerical, in nice condition with I am not sure what after market mag bottom....go under "links and resources" to the left of screen, surf some of the larger dealers and see what they are asking for a similar condition gun, but the market is a bit soft right now....

gotfish · 09-09-2009, 10:21 AM

Thank you for the quick response! Unfortunately, I can't find the Links and Resources tab you mentioned. However, now that I understand which model this is, I could probably research it more easily. It was just that there are seemingly many of these out there with only small differences between them, and yet large differences in value. Another forum that I tried is calling this a 1914 model, worth (maybe) $600 to a collector. Does this sound right to you as well?

Thanks again!!

policeluger · 09-09-2009, 10:42 AM

"L&R" is here to the left, near the bottom of the links, just go to "message board" and scroll down near the bottom......the blank chamber and crown N or nitro proof tell me it is a 1920 commerical and $600 may be a bit low, but the mag bottom is disapointing and the Luger market is very soft for a common Luger, still a nice gun and I hope you enjoy it

Don M · 09-09-2009, 11:23 AM

gotfish, some people call all DWM commercial Lugers manufactured from 1914 on "1914 Commercials," whether they were made before or after WWI. More modern nomenclature would classify this as an "Alphabet DWM Commercial" manufactured between 1921 and 1929. Knowing the lower-case script letter below the serial number on the front of the frame would allow a more precise dating. Another factor in valuing it is to know if it is 9-mm or .30 cal.

In any event, it is not likely to be worth more than $600-800, especially in today's depressed market. If you want it to help finance your son's college education, you may want to consider holding on to it for several years unless you have a really good investment opportunity for cash. It may appreciate more than most investments.

John Sabato · 09-09-2009, 03:40 PM

To find the L&R link you have to start at our "homepage" and not the forum message board.

Try on the left side of http://www.lugerforum.com

policeluger · 09-09-2009, 03:48 PM

I fail to understand John, it is right here to the left as I "speak"???????? right here on the message board....????

John Sabato · 09-09-2009, 04:44 PM

Howard,

Click on the link I provided and your screen should look like this image

-and the Links & Resources (link) is seen on the left black vertical frame as shown.

BTW, I think the plastic mag bottom is probably another Franzite replacement.

alvin · 09-09-2009, 08:07 PM

Is there any way to tell it's a 9 or 7,65 from pictures posted (without looking at the muzzle)? Or putting in another way -- is there any tell sign of caliber from the contour of DMWs made in 1920s? THanks

Lugerdoc · 09-11-2009, 11:13 AM

Your "r" suffix alpha commerical is most likely a 7.65mm, and due to the ammo cost, these are more difficult to sell than the standard 9mmP. If a standard wood pencil will not fit into the bore, it's not a 9mm. Even with the aftermarked mag (or just the bottom) and if refinished, it should be worth at lease $600. TH

gotfish · 09-11-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lugerdoc

Your "r" suffix alpha commerical is most likely a 7.65mm, and due to the ammo cost, these are more difficult to sell than the standard 9mmP. If a standard wood pencil will not fit into the bore, it's not a 9mm. Even with the aftermarked mag (or just the bottom) and if refinished, it should be worth at lease $600. TH

I should have mentioned this earlier, but your statement is correct. I have fired one small box of ammo (which was admittedly pretty tough to find) with this piece. It was a 7.65mm caliber, and not 9mm. Thanks again for the help!

Edward Tinker · 09-11-2009, 11:44 AM

actually, 7.65mm is not that hard to find. Its more expensive, but not awful in price?

I previously found it on gunbroker.

http://www.ammonow.com/ammo/handgun/.30+Luger/

Fiocchi Ammunition 30 Luger 93 Grain Full Metal Jacket
Box of 50
50 rounds $20.22

In fact I sold 4 or 5 boxes a couple of months ago. I probably still have 5 or 8 boxes in my room.

Ed

09-08-2009, 08:27 PM	#1
gotfish New User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Estimate of Value, DWM Luger? Hi! I've been looking through some of the others that have asked similar questions, but I really don't know much about this as it is. So, I greatly appreciate the help from those who most likely know best. The gun was my grandfather's and has been mine since 2003. It operates fairly well, and seems to look ok to me. I've tried to show all of the distinguishing marks as well as I can. Thanks again for any help available! I really do appreciate it! I have other guns, and would rather turn this one into a college fund for my 2 yr old son if possible! [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com /2445/3901015941_e00c69eb2a_b.jpg[/IMG] Last edited by gotfish; 09-08-2009 at 08:30 PM. Reason: did pics wrong

09-09-2009, 11:23 AM	#5
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	gotfish, some people call all DWM commercial Lugers manufactured from 1914 on "1914 Commercials," whether they were made before or after WWI. More modern nomenclature would classify this as an "Alphabet DWM Commercial" manufactured between 1921 and 1929. Knowing the lower-case script letter below the serial number on the front of the frame would allow a more precise dating. Another factor in valuing it is to know if it is 9-mm or .30 cal. In any event, it is not likely to be worth more than $600-800, especially in today's depressed market. If you want it to help finance your son's college education, you may want to consider holding on to it for several years unless you have a really good investment opportunity for cash. It may appreciate more than most investments. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

09-09-2009, 03:40 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	To find the L&R link you have to start at our "homepage" and not the forum message board. Try on the left side of http://www.lugerforum.com __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-09-2009, 04:44 PM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Links and Resources Page Howard, Click on the link I provided and your screen should look like this image -and the Links & Resources (link) is seen on the left black vertical frame as shown. BTW, I think the plastic mag bottom is probably another Franzite replacement. Attached Thumbnails __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-11-2009, 11:13 AM	#10
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Your "r" suffix alpha commerical is most likely a 7.65mm, and due to the ammo cost, these are more difficult to sell than the standard 9mmP. If a standard wood pencil will not fit into the bore, it's not a 9mm. Even with the aftermarked mag (or just the bottom) and if refinished, it should be worth at lease $600. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

09-08-2009, 10:44 PM	#2
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Welcome, looks like 1920 commerical, in nice condition with I am not sure what after market mag bottom....go under "links and resources" to the left of screen, surf some of the larger dealers and see what they are asking for a similar condition gun, but the market is a bit soft right now....

09-09-2009, 10:21 AM	#3
gotfish New User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you for the quick response! Unfortunately, I can't find the Links and Resources tab you mentioned. However, now that I understand which model this is, I could probably research it more easily. It was just that there are seemingly many of these out there with only small differences between them, and yet large differences in value. Another forum that I tried is calling this a 1914 model, worth (maybe) $600 to a collector. Does this sound right to you as well? Thanks again!!

09-09-2009, 10:42 AM	#4
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	"L&R" is here to the left, near the bottom of the links, just go to "message board" and scroll down near the bottom......the blank chamber and crown N or nitro proof tell me it is a 1920 commerical and $600 may be a bit low, but the mag bottom is disapointing and the Luger market is very soft for a common Luger, still a nice gun and I hope you enjoy it

09-09-2009, 03:48 PM	#7
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	I fail to understand John, it is right here to the left as I "speak"???????? right here on the message board....????

09-09-2009, 08:07 PM	#9
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Is there any way to tell it's a 9 or 7,65 from pictures posted (without looking at the muzzle)? Or putting in another way -- is there any tell sign of caliber from the contour of DMWs made in 1920s? THanks

09-11-2009, 11:44 AM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	actually, 7.65mm is not that hard to find. Its more expensive, but not awful in price? I previously found it on gunbroker. http://www.ammonow.com/ammo/handgun/.30+Luger/ Fiocchi Ammunition 30 Luger 93 Grain Full Metal Jacket Box of 50 50 rounds $20.22 In fact I sold 4 or 5 boxes a couple of months ago. I probably still have 5 or 8 boxes in my room. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV