new luger owner

[steadyshot]

I've been trying to find info on this Luger that I just received. Lots of info on the net that is overwhelming. Would appreciate if anyone could help me along to identify/interpret some of the markings. Thanks.

[steadyshot]

markings under barrel are; 6011/ 8,81 / d (small case cursive) /

[Frank]

Hi Steady, first, the Luger was made in 1940 by Mauser. The "42" is the ordnance code for Mauser. Your pistol, serial number 6011d was completed in about May 1940. There were about 124,500 Military Mauser Lugers produced in 1940.

The 8,81 is the bore guage measured in millimeters and is the size plug the just fits into the barrel.

Anything else?

Hope this helps!

[DavidJayUden]

It was made in 1940 by Mauser for the WW2 German military. It appear to me not messed with and from what I can see matching. 9mm. The 8.81 is bore diameter measured across the lands, a standard marking.
Other's may be able to tell you what month it was mfg. but probably not much more. What else were you interested in?
Welcome.
dju

[steadyshot]

Thanks for the reply, all you info definitely helps.

[Edward Tinker]

David, Frank types faster than you

[steadyshot]

I want to try and clean it up a bit. I've been reading about how to clean the grips, but was wondering is there anything else I should be doing?

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by steadyshot

I want to try and clean it up a bit.

... ...

Don't try to 'clean' the brown off...It's patina; what bluing turns into after 60+ years...

I use a copper bristled brush to 'clean' the loose flakes of 'stuff' off, and then I use [insert your favorite cleaner here] to clean the surface...After that, a thin coat of whatever oil I have laying around...

[CavScoutEurope]

Does the mag match?

[mrerick]

Hi Tom, and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your very nice Luger.

You would do best to do as little as possible to clean it. Your pistol is original, and likely all matching (have you checked the internal parts?). If the magazine is also matching this is more rare...

The patina is part of the history of your pistol. Luger collectors like Lugers as close to original manufactured state as possible. Refinishing, cleaning off the patina, etc... devalues your Luger both financially and historically.

Be careful what you use to clean it. Go slow and gently. Remove dirt, not finish from the blued surface and grips. A soft toothbrush works well on the grips. I have used an oil based soap to clean dirt from the grips. Be careful when removing them. Don't gall the screw slot, and don't break the left grip near the safety lever. A very slight tilt off the frame is enough to slide it out.

The loss of bluing in spots like those on your barrel often happened when the surface came in contact with a chemical that reduces oxidation. The hemoglobin in blood does this. The depth of color on original bluing from this period varies quite a bit. My 1939 is quite thin looking.

So... best thoughts here are that the less you do to it, the better off you will be.

Cheers,

Marc

[steadyshot]

Thanks for all the info Marc

[bretsch]

I too am a new Forum member and owner of a Luger. Just purchased one this afternoon but unfortunately emotion overwhelmed logic. I purchased a Commercial (?) DMW, Serial number 5960 (matching). It has a Crown over an "N" on the barrel. I do know it is a 7.65 instead of a 9mm. Can someone please tell me what year it was fabricated and what the value is? Thanks, Bob

[Hugo Borchardt]

Bob:

Pictures would help! Yours is likely an "alphabet" commercial manufactured in the 1920s. The serial # should have a letter under it on the front of the frame. They are valued $600-$1000 or so depending on condition and other characteristics. It is 7.65 because the Versailles treaty restricted 9mm barrels from being made in Germany after WW1.

Clark

[bretsch]

Looks like a lower case "L". Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more. Thanks