DWM Unit Marked

Don M · 12-07-2011, 03:40 PM

Ken, even though the gun has been refinished, you did more than OK!

The chamber number 1920 is the year of manufacture. Yours is one of a series manufactured in 1920 with the suffix "n." This suffix puzzles collectors as the other Lugers manufactured by DWM in 1920 have no suffix or the letters "a" or "b." The "n" is out of sequence and no one knows why.

The grips (at least the left one) are probably replacements. If they were original, I would expect to see a notch out of the upper left corner of the left grip for the mag safety.

The grip strap marking is from the Schutzpolizei of the Breslau administrative district, specifically the command stationed in Waldenburg (HWIS, p. 161).

Can you tell me whether the inscriptions below the eagles on the right side of the receiver are ArA4 or WaA4?

12-07-2011, 03:40 PM	#4
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Ken, even though the gun has been refinished, you did more than OK! The chamber number 1920 is the year of manufacture. Yours is one of a series manufactured in 1920 with the suffix "n." This suffix puzzles collectors as the other Lugers manufactured by DWM in 1920 have no suffix or the letters "a" or "b." The "n" is out of sequence and no one knows why. The grips (at least the left one) are probably replacements. If they were original, I would expect to see a notch out of the upper left corner of the left grip for the mag safety. The grip strap marking is from the Schutzpolizei of the Breslau administrative district, specifically the command stationed in Waldenburg (HWIS, p. 161). Can you tell me whether the inscriptions below the eagles on the right side of the receiver are ArA4 or WaA4? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com