Unit marking ID (4/A.R. 5.51)

[Bigcountry313]

Gentlemen,

Looking for information to identify the following unit.

A DWM Luger marked 1918/1920 with

4 / A.R. 5.51. marked on grip,

Any ideas?

Thanks for the help, trying to help out a friend who inherited it and is not a gun person, nor computer savy.

Rob

[Ron Smith]

Hi Rob,

Welcome to the forum.

Your friends Luger is marked to a Reichswehr Artillery Regiment

Battery 4 / Artillery Regiment 5 weapon number 51

1918 is the year it was made by DWM. "1920" is the Gov't Property mark applied to prevent theft and re-sale.

Ron

[Bigcountry313]

Ron,

Thanks for the help. He has another one maybe you could help on.

It is also a DWM, but no 1918/1920 markings.

Has a 3 didget serial number, with last 2 stamped on all parts.
Has what I can find out is a German "Nitro" mark on 2 places.
an "N" with a mark over it.

and what looks like a q or o stamped under the barrell.

BC

[Ron Smith]

It sounds like the most common Luger, an "Alphabet" Commercial, more commonly, and incorrectly, referred to as a "1920 Commercial".Is it export marked "GERMANY"?

Is the side plate numbered on the bottom edge, or on the face? It should be a stamped on the bottom edge, known as "hidden commerial numbering" in collector parlance. Also, is it in .30 Luger caliber or 9mm. .30 Luger is the most commonly found. 9mm's aren't rare but not as common.