Help identifying old Luger

jconsiglio · 11-26-2011, 04:31 PM

This was found in my Grandfathers drawer. Not sure much except it appears to be commercial from the early 20s? Any additional info would be greatly appreciated. I'm curious as to the value, although I'm not interested in selling it. More likely that I hold on to it and shoot it occasionally. As you can see, I haven't even really cleaned it up yet. Thanks in advance for any help!

jconsiglio · 11-26-2011, 04:47 PM

sorry. full resolution photos are here

https://picasaweb.google.com/johncon...eat=directlink

Neil Young · 11-26-2011, 05:13 PM

I can't get the link to work.

Neil

jconsiglio · 11-26-2011, 05:28 PM

Sorry. Had it set to private. It should be fixed now

DavidJayUden · 11-26-2011, 06:07 PM

Yep, commercial Luger. 9mm or .30 Luger cal? Also, in many of the pictures, but not all, the upper is slightly rearward, out of battery.
Why is that?
dju

jconsiglio · 11-26-2011, 06:33 PM

Well I have virtually zero knowledge of Lugers, but I know something isn't right with the upper. I am pretty sure it at least needs a new recoil spring, but other than that I am not real sure. I did post in the Repair forum as well looking for someone local to take a look at it and point me in the right direction.

Also, not sure if it is 9mm or .30 because I don't have any ammo at the moment to test fit it. Any other way to tell?

Ron Wood · 11-26-2011, 07:08 PM

The photos of the upper slightly rearward is a common condition when one is unfamiliar with Lugers. Since the last photo shows the Luger properly assembled and the upper in the correct position, I suspect that all the other photos show the gun after it was improperly re-assembled. The S-shaped hook on the bottom of the rear toggle has to engage the transfer lever on the mainspring.

MFC · 11-27-2011, 01:15 AM

Hi John,
You have a DWM Alphabet commercial (formerly known as a 1920 commercial). The lower case cursive 'k' below the serial# is the suffix. The full serial number is 2320k. It was made in 1922 for the commercial market and destined to the US as per the 'MADE IN GERMANY" export stamp on the right receiver. It should be a 30 cal./7.65mm. Check to see if all numbers are matching. Full S# on the front of the frame and underside of the barrel. The last two digits of the S#(20) should be on the trigger, breechblock, rear toggle and the bottom edge of the takedown lever and sideplate. If everything matches, the value is around $850-$1000.

jconsiglio · 11-27-2011, 12:37 PM

To address a couple of the issues mentioned. All numbers are matching for sure. Also, the slide was not assembled correctly in some of the photos. I have since reassembled correctly and it seems to function much more smoothly. I think I will still have someone more experienced give it a once over before I test fire it to be sure.

wlyon · 11-27-2011, 07:03 PM

Around here $900 is top money for a 1920 Commercial. They just don't sell very well. This may be different in other parts of the country. Nice commercial . Bill

Aaron · 11-27-2011, 10:16 PM

Once in a while one turns up in immaculate 99.9% condition. Such an example would command $1400 and possibly more.

jconsiglio · 11-28-2011, 01:01 PM

Thanks again for all the feedback. If I were to shoot it, anybody have a particular ammo recommendation?

rhuff · 11-28-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jconsiglio

Thanks again for all the feedback. If I were to shoot it, anybody have a particular ammo recommendation?

If it is 30Luger caliber(as many were), you only have to choices for factory ammo.

(1) Fiocchi

(2) Winchester (very expensive)

I assume that you are not a hand loader. If you plan to shoot a 30 Luger very much, you might want to consider it, unless money is no object.

jconsiglio · 11-28-2011, 05:17 PM

The money is not that much of a concern given that this is my only Luger and I don't plan on shooting it much, if at all really. Even though I don't plan on selling it, any concern over hurting the value on it if I do decide to shoot it a few times?

11-26-2011, 04:31 PM	#1
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help identifying old Luger This was found in my Grandfathers drawer. Not sure much except it appears to be commercial from the early 20s? Any additional info would be greatly appreciated. I'm curious as to the value, although I'm not interested in selling it. More likely that I hold on to it and shoot it occasionally. As you can see, I haven't even really cleaned it up yet. Thanks in advance for any help!

11-26-2011, 04:47 PM	#2
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sorry. full resolution photos are here https://picasaweb.google.com/johncon...eat=directlink Last edited by jconsiglio; 11-26-2011 at 05:33 PM.

11-26-2011, 05:13 PM	#3
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 546 Thanks: 559 Thanked 442 Times in 168 Posts	I can't get the link to work. Neil __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

11-26-2011, 07:08 PM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	The photos of the upper slightly rearward is a common condition when one is unfamiliar with Lugers. Since the last photo shows the Luger properly assembled and the upper in the correct position, I suspect that all the other photos show the gun after it was improperly re-assembled. The S-shaped hook on the bottom of the rear toggle has to engage the transfer lever on the mainspring. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-27-2011, 01:15 AM	#8
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi John, You have a DWM Alphabet commercial (formerly known as a 1920 commercial). The lower case cursive 'k' below the serial# is the suffix. The full serial number is 2320k. It was made in 1922 for the commercial market and destined to the US as per the 'MADE IN GERMANY" export stamp on the right receiver. It should be a 30 cal./7.65mm. Check to see if all numbers are matching. Full S# on the front of the frame and underside of the barrel. The last two digits of the S#(20) should be on the trigger, breechblock, rear toggle and the bottom edge of the takedown lever and sideplate. If everything matches, the value is around $850-$1000. __________________ Mike C.

11-26-2011, 05:28 PM	#4
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry. Had it set to private. It should be fixed now

11-26-2011, 06:07 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Yep, commercial Luger. 9mm or .30 Luger cal? Also, in many of the pictures, but not all, the upper is slightly rearward, out of battery. Why is that? dju

11-26-2011, 06:33 PM	#6
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well I have virtually zero knowledge of Lugers, but I know something isn't right with the upper. I am pretty sure it at least needs a new recoil spring, but other than that I am not real sure. I did post in the Repair forum as well looking for someone local to take a look at it and point me in the right direction. Also, not sure if it is 9mm or .30 because I don't have any ammo at the moment to test fit it. Any other way to tell?

11-27-2011, 12:37 PM	#9
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	To address a couple of the issues mentioned. All numbers are matching for sure. Also, the slide was not assembled correctly in some of the photos. I have since reassembled correctly and it seems to function much more smoothly. I think I will still have someone more experienced give it a once over before I test fire it to be sure.

11-27-2011, 07:03 PM	#10
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,635 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,556 Times in 954 Posts	Around here $900 is top money for a 1920 Commercial. They just don't sell very well. This may be different in other parts of the country. Nice commercial . Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

11-27-2011, 10:16 PM	#11
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Once in a while one turns up in immaculate 99.9% condition. Such an example would command $1400 and possibly more.

11-28-2011, 01:01 PM	#12
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks again for all the feedback. If I were to shoot it, anybody have a particular ammo recommendation?

11-28-2011, 05:17 PM	#14
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The money is not that much of a concern given that this is my only Luger and I don't plan on shooting it much, if at all really. Even though I don't plan on selling it, any concern over hurting the value on it if I do decide to shoot it a few times?