Help identify my DWM Luger with 3-digit serial

ewestforth · 12-13-2011, 06:22 PM

Hi,

I got a hold of this DWM Luger. It has the DWM mark on the top. Under the barrel it has the crown, with the N mark underneath. It has a 3-digit serial number, which is 894. The only other markings besides having matching 94's marked all over the place are, the German safety marking. Here are a couple pictures. If anyone can help identify what exactly I have here it would be appreciated. Also a general value of what it is worth. Is it worth more with the 3-digit serial? I can take more pictures if needed.

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/8538/p081o.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5972/p082.jpg
http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/1594/p083.jpg
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4517/p084.jpg

EDIT: Extra image added to last post

alanint · 12-13-2011, 06:30 PM

You are missing the most important photo of them all; the right front side of the receiver where Luger pistols are usually proofed. Please take and post a photo of this area.

ewestforth · 12-13-2011, 06:39 PM

I can take a picture but the right side has no marks whatsoever. The left side is where it has 94 stamped all over, and then the N with the crown by the front along with 894.

ewestforth · 12-13-2011, 06:45 PM

Here is the image of the other side:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...213174027.jpg/

mrerick · 12-13-2011, 07:47 PM

Interesting... Commercial C/N proof but marked everywhere else in the military manner...

Could this be a post WW-I made from left over military parts?

Is it a 9MM Luger pistol, or in .30Luger Caliber?

Marc

LugerVern · 12-13-2011, 09:30 PM

I would say a commercial that was pressed into WWII military service

Vern

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Interesting... Commercial C/N proof but marked everywhere else in the military manner...

Could this be a post WW-I made from left over military parts?

Is it a 9MM Luger pistol, or in .30Luger Caliber?

Marc

Norme · 12-13-2011, 10:14 PM

Hi, I'm not in to Commercials, but if it helps any, Earls 3rd photo shows that this gun has an un-relieved sear bar, which dates it to 1916 or earlier. Regards, Norm

MFC · 12-13-2011, 10:28 PM

Is there any evidence that a date was removed from above the chamber? A picture of that area might be telling.

oldgezzer · 12-13-2011, 11:50 PM

I have an original 1917 dwm artillery model that my father brought back from WW1. It has a three digit serial number in the right place. The rest of the parts match with the last 2 digits listed on the appropriate parts. Only the clip which is wood base, has an unmatching 4 digit serial number

MFC · 12-14-2011, 01:26 AM

The front sight block and barrel band is similar to an early K date. The thin barrel flange is another Mauser trait. If you look at the GNR, the only Mauser in my avatar, you can see how thin the barrel flange is compared to the DWM barrels.

ewestforth · 12-14-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Interesting... Commercial C/N proof but marked everywhere else in the military manner...

Could this be a post WW-I made from left over military parts?

Is it a 9MM Luger pistol, or in .30Luger Caliber?

Marc

It is a .30 Luger.

ewestforth · 12-14-2011, 12:55 PM

Any other info or anything else I can do to help identify it? More pictures?
Need to know the approximate value of it.

ewestforth · 12-17-2011, 12:08 PM

Anyone?

DavidJayUden · 12-17-2011, 12:24 PM

Regarding values, seems like most decent commercials can be had for under a $1k, while service pistols bring a bit more, maybe $1200. And I'm referring to matching guns, mismatched mags, VG condition. Your being a commercial gun that was drafted into the military may increase it's value a bit, but not much, IMHO. It being a .30 makes it a bit of a curiousity however.
So unless an advanced collector speaks up and corrects me, I'll stick with a $1200 retail ballpark guestimate. I would be interested to hear other's comments on this one.
dju

wlyon · 12-17-2011, 01:01 PM

Hard to evaluate from pictures but I feel $900 is closer, It is not in real good condition and is a commercial. Bill

DavidJayUden · 12-17-2011, 02:10 PM

Bill;
Do you think that there are any "nitch" collectors that will get all excited over a commercial with mil. numbers?
dju

LugerVern · 12-17-2011, 04:05 PM

OK, take a look at the "4s" some have a foot and some do not, this worries me.

The barrel and frame look completely different in bluing, especially in that one picture.

As noted before the sear bar is not relieved but is SN to the gun this would indicate a 1916 or earlier gun Only the vertical crown N is post WW1

Your gun has some interesting issues that I believe will effect the sale price to collectors.

Just my view, sometimes the other members do not agree.

Vern

Dwight Gruber · 12-18-2011, 06:43 PM

Note that the takedown and sideplate do not have numbers on their bottom edges.

The upright c/N appears in 1916.

--Dwight

12-13-2011, 06:22 PM	#1
ewestforth User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help identify my DWM Luger with 3-digit serial Hi, I got a hold of this DWM Luger. It has the DWM mark on the top. Under the barrel it has the crown, with the N mark underneath. It has a 3-digit serial number, which is 894. The only other markings besides having matching 94's marked all over the place are, the German safety marking. Here are a couple pictures. If anyone can help identify what exactly I have here it would be appreciated. Also a general value of what it is worth. Is it worth more with the 3-digit serial? I can take more pictures if needed. http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/8538/p081o.jpg http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5972/p082.jpg http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/1594/p083.jpg http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4517/p084.jpg EDIT: Extra image added to last post

12-13-2011, 07:47 PM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Interesting... Commercial C/N proof but marked everywhere else in the military manner... Could this be a post WW-I made from left over military parts? Is it a 9MM Luger pistol, or in .30Luger Caliber? Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-13-2011, 10:28 PM	#8
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Is there any evidence that a date was removed from above the chamber? A picture of that area might be telling. __________________ Mike C. Last edited by MFC; 12-14-2011 at 01:26 AM.

12-14-2011, 01:26 AM	#10
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	The front sight block and barrel band is similar to an early K date. The thin barrel flange is another Mauser trait. If you look at the GNR, the only Mauser in my avatar, you can see how thin the barrel flange is compared to the DWM barrels. __________________ Mike C.

12-17-2011, 01:01 PM	#15
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	Hard to evaluate from pictures but I feel $900 is closer, It is not in real good condition and is a commercial. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

12-13-2011, 06:30 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	You are missing the most important photo of them all; the right front side of the receiver where Luger pistols are usually proofed. Please take and post a photo of this area.

12-13-2011, 06:39 PM	#3
ewestforth User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I can take a picture but the right side has no marks whatsoever. The left side is where it has 94 stamped all over, and then the N with the crown by the front along with 894.

12-13-2011, 06:45 PM	#4
ewestforth User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here is the image of the other side: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...213174027.jpg/

12-13-2011, 10:14 PM	#7
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi, I'm not in to Commercials, but if it helps any, Earls 3rd photo shows that this gun has an un-relieved sear bar, which dates it to 1916 or earlier. Regards, Norm

12-13-2011, 11:50 PM	#9
oldgezzer New User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have an original 1917 dwm artillery model that my father brought back from WW1. It has a three digit serial number in the right place. The rest of the parts match with the last 2 digits listed on the appropriate parts. Only the clip which is wood base, has an unmatching 4 digit serial number

12-14-2011, 12:55 PM	#12
ewestforth User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Any other info or anything else I can do to help identify it? More pictures? Need to know the approximate value of it.

12-17-2011, 12:08 PM	#13
ewestforth User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Anyone?

12-17-2011, 12:24 PM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Regarding values, seems like most decent commercials can be had for under a $1k, while service pistols bring a bit more, maybe $1200. And I'm referring to matching guns, mismatched mags, VG condition. Your being a commercial gun that was drafted into the military may increase it's value a bit, but not much, IMHO. It being a .30 makes it a bit of a curiousity however. So unless an advanced collector speaks up and corrects me, I'll stick with a $1200 retail ballpark guestimate. I would be interested to hear other's comments on this one. dju

12-17-2011, 02:10 PM	#16
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Bill; Do you think that there are any "nitch" collectors that will get all excited over a commercial with mil. numbers? dju

12-17-2011, 04:05 PM	#17
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	OK, take a look at the "4s" some have a foot and some do not, this worries me. The barrel and frame look completely different in bluing, especially in that one picture. As noted before the sear bar is not relieved but is SN to the gun this would indicate a 1916 or earlier gun Only the vertical crown N is post WW1 Your gun has some interesting issues that I believe will effect the sale price to collectors. Just my view, sometimes the other members do not agree. Vern

12-18-2011, 06:43 PM	#18
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Note that the takedown and sideplate do not have numbers on their bottom edges. The upright c/N appears in 1916. --Dwight