1921 Police help??

titan · 10-16-2010, 10:09 PM

I was looking a nice 1921 DWM luger this weekend, and I have a few questions. It did have the "long spring" that holds on the side plate. I dont remember if the S/N had a letter suffix. There were no unit marks or extra stamps on the grip straps.
How can you tell if the luger is police or military?
Should the grips be numbered inside, if so with 2 or 4 digit, pencil or stamp?
Is there any other specific features to these lugers?
Thanks, Titan

policeluger · 10-16-2010, 11:04 PM

The "long spring" is a sear safety....it's police. Never ink or pencil, always stamped unless someone is trying to fake/bolster it

titan · 10-16-2010, 11:12 PM

Thanks for the reply!
Any other distinct characteristics for it to be Police?
Did they use the same stamps for police and army?
Should the S/N in the handle be 2 or 4 digit?
Thanks, Titan

Edward Tinker · 10-16-2010, 11:23 PM

yes and no

See the FAQ for further information

There are differnences between army and police, but remember the police received guns from the army until the 1930's, so migh be marked as such; so a sear safety and/or mag safety from the mid 1930's is your best guess, plus if any unit markings.

Ed

titan · 10-16-2010, 11:32 PM

Ed,
I did a search, but couldnt find the info I was looking for. I have limited info on Lugers. Will you be at Allentown tomorrow?

Lugerdoc · 11-04-2010, 10:06 AM

At most, the grips may have the last 2 digit stamped inside at the factory, but I've seen some foreign contract lugers where the full 4 digits were later added lengthwise. May Weirmar era PO8 were issued with unnumbered grips. TH

10-16-2010, 10:09 PM	#1
titan User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1921 Police help?? I was looking a nice 1921 DWM luger this weekend, and I have a few questions. It did have the "long spring" that holds on the side plate. I dont remember if the S/N had a letter suffix. There were no unit marks or extra stamps on the grip straps. How can you tell if the luger is police or military? Should the grips be numbered inside, if so with 2 or 4 digit, pencil or stamp? Is there any other specific features to these lugers? Thanks, Titan

10-16-2010, 11:23 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	yes and no See the FAQ for further information There are differnences between army and police, but remember the police received guns from the army until the 1930's, so migh be marked as such; so a sear safety and/or mag safety from the mid 1930's is your best guess, plus if any unit markings. 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

11-04-2010, 10:06 AM	#6
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	At most, the grips may have the last 2 digit stamped inside at the factory, but I've seen some foreign contract lugers where the full 4 digits were later added lengthwise. May Weirmar era PO8 were issued with unnumbered grips. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

10-16-2010, 11:04 PM	#2
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	The "long spring" is a sear safety....it's police. Never ink or pencil, always stamped unless someone is trying to fake/bolster it

10-16-2010, 11:12 PM	#3
titan User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the reply! Any other distinct characteristics for it to be Police? Did they use the same stamps for police and army? Should the S/N in the handle be 2 or 4 digit? Thanks, Titan

10-16-2010, 11:32 PM	#5
titan User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, I did a search, but couldnt find the info I was looking for. I have limited info on Lugers. Will you be at Allentown tomorrow?