My first Luger! What did I get?

Jack Lawman · 04-28-2013, 08:10 PM

The "Red 9" was normally used on the C96 pistol. During the 1st World War, there were C96's (broomhandles) in two calibers, the 7.63 Mauser and the government contract 9mm. The original government contract Red 9 C96 pistols left the factory with unmarked grips. To avoid confusion, armorers were ordered to mark the C96 pistols in 9mm with a red "9". Later gov't contract broomhandles were marked before they left the factory. That's why you see a great variation in the grip marks of early contract C96 pistols (unit armorer applied), and later pistols with a standardized marking (from the factory).

Anyways, story is that many unit armorers marked all 9mm pistols with a red 9, even though they were not required to do so. This may be the case with your luger.

04-28-2013, 08:10 PM	#3
Jack Lawman User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Near NYC Posts: 428 Thanks: 30 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	The "Red 9" was normally used on the C96 pistol. During the 1st World War, there were C96's (broomhandles) in two calibers, the 7.63 Mauser and the government contract 9mm. The original government contract Red 9 C96 pistols left the factory with unmarked grips. To avoid confusion, armorers were ordered to mark the C96 pistols in 9mm with a red "9". Later gov't contract broomhandles were marked before they left the factory. That's why you see a great variation in the grip marks of early contract C96 pistols (unit armorer applied), and later pistols with a standardized marking (from the factory). Anyways, story is that many unit armorers marked all 9mm pistols with a red 9, even though they were not required to do so. This may be the case with your luger. __________________ Why do you guys hate black circles so much?