History of Police Safety Sear Installation

[Don M]

Eric,

As you note, if it is a b, the frame is from an Imperial-era Luger. The two other Lugers with L.T. markings I have recorded in HWIS are both 1918 DWMs with b suffixes.

Looking harder at the available photos I see that the barrel extension and perhaps the barrel have been heavily buffed. However, the breech block and toggle train appear to be in their original condition. The rear toggle link appears to have a police acceptance stamp which would suggest that the toggle link is also from a reworked LP08. Its serial numbers 05 match those of the frame 2905 as does the side plate.

It's beginning to look more like you will be getting a Luger that has a frame, toggle train and side plate from a reworked LP08 but with a barrel extension and possibly barrel from another Luger. Very odd!

We'll just have to wait until you can examine it in person and hopefully post some detailed photos.

Although your question about serial numbering of 29DWMs may be moot for your pistol, those that were issued to the police had commercial style numbering from the factory but the police added military style numbering on receipt so most have both.