1920-dated DWM P08s with “n” suffixes --- HELP!

Don M · 12-26-2012, 03:59 PM

For a number of years, I have been intrigued by the existence of an apparently nearly complete block of DWM P08s with 1920 manufacture dates on their chambers and “n” suffixes to their serial numbers. (See http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...WMs-w-n-suffix and http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=25334 ) These are counter to the long-held understanding that P08s manufactured in 1920 for the police and Reichswehr had serial numbers with no suffix, “a” or “b” suffixes. No reasonable explanation for this out-of-sequence block of serial numbers has been offered, nor do I have one.

When I received my copy of Görtz & Sturgess’ The Borchart & Luger Automatic Pistols (TBLAP), I hoped that it might shed some light on this mystery. While the authors do offer an explanation, it only deepens the mystery for me. Perhaps someone can help me understand this.

On pp. 530-5 of TBLAP, it is stated that wartime production of P08s by DWM was terminated in the mid-“m” block of serial numbers and that post-war production of P08s for the police and Reichswehr in 1920 picked up at this point and continued into the mid-“n” block using 1918 and 1920-dated receivers before beginning the “no suffix,” “a” and “b” series. This has me baffled. According to Jan Still’s Central Powers Pistols (p. 38), DWM’s 1918 production ran into the “s” block of serial numbers. Also, it is evident from the list I posted in the LugerForum thread above (post #5) that low-number (167) “n” suffix pistols have been observed. Finally, I have not observed a 1920-dated P08 with an “m” suffix. (These should not be confused with “m” suffix P08s manufactured in 1924 with a 1920 property stamp on the chamber --- mostly Landespolizei Thüringen pistols. Some of these have been erroneously reported as 1920-dated.)

Can anyone clarify this for me?

Don M · 01-22-2013, 12:26 PM

Surely, someone on this forum has some insight into this?

Don M · 06-25-2013, 05:41 PM

I'm amazed no one has responded to this!

glock30 · 07-09-2013, 08:08 PM

It's a hard question. At least for me. I have a N suffix 20 Commercial. I am not ashamed to admit that I did not know Wiemer Lugers had Letter Suffix's. I had a 1921 Police serial 6098, no letter. Now that I am on it, you will get answers. I thought only commercial Lugers had letters in the serial number. But I do not know everything. That is why i am on here, and if you don't know something, the best way to get a quick response is post an incorrect answer to something.

JRILEYNJ · 08-18-2013, 07:58 PM

Just joined how do I go about finding info on a Luger I just acquired single date 1920 all matching serial number inspector marks and what i'm guessing is unit numbers for police? (S.Br.L 652.) serial number 2429 and what appears to be a cursive n. under barrell

DavidJayUden · 08-18-2013, 10:18 PM

The best way to get ingformation is to take and share lots of good photos and start a new thread. You will get responses.
dju

JRILEYNJ · 08-18-2013, 11:34 PM

Thanks ill get them up tomorrow

12-26-2012, 03:59 PM	#1
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	1920-dated DWM P08s with “n” suffixes --- HELP! For a number of years, I have been intrigued by the existence of an apparently nearly complete block of DWM P08s with 1920 manufacture dates on their chambers and “n” suffixes to their serial numbers. (See http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...WMs-w-n-suffix and http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=25334 ) These are counter to the long-held understanding that P08s manufactured in 1920 for the police and Reichswehr had serial numbers with no suffix, “a” or “b” suffixes. No reasonable explanation for this out-of-sequence block of serial numbers has been offered, nor do I have one. When I received my copy of Görtz & Sturgess’ The Borchart & Luger Automatic Pistols (TBLAP), I hoped that it might shed some light on this mystery. While the authors do offer an explanation, it only deepens the mystery for me. Perhaps someone can help me understand this. On pp. 530-5 of TBLAP, it is stated that wartime production of P08s by DWM was terminated in the mid-“m” block of serial numbers and that post-war production of P08s for the police and Reichswehr in 1920 picked up at this point and continued into the mid-“n” block using 1918 and 1920-dated receivers before beginning the “no suffix,” “a” and “b” series. This has me baffled. According to Jan Still’s Central Powers Pistols (p. 38), DWM’s 1918 production ran into the “s” block of serial numbers. Also, it is evident from the list I posted in the LugerForum thread above (post #5) that low-number (167) “n” suffix pistols have been observed. Finally, I have not observed a 1920-dated P08 with an “m” suffix. (These should not be confused with “m” suffix P08s manufactured in 1924 with a 1920 property stamp on the chamber --- mostly Landespolizei Thüringen pistols. Some of these have been erroneously reported as 1920-dated.) Can anyone clarify this for me? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

01-22-2013, 12:26 PM	#2
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Surely, someone on this forum has some insight into this? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

06-25-2013, 05:41 PM	#3
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	I'm amazed no one has responded to this! __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

07-09-2013, 08:08 PM	#4
glock30 User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Obama LAND Posts: 206 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	It's a hard question. At least for me. I have a N suffix 20 Commercial. I am not ashamed to admit that I did not know Wiemer Lugers had Letter Suffix's. I had a 1921 Police serial 6098, no letter. Now that I am on it, you will get answers. I thought only commercial Lugers had letters in the serial number. But I do not know everything. That is why i am on here, and if you don't know something, the best way to get a quick response is post an incorrect answer to something. __________________ Mauser Parabellum 10.2098 !

08-18-2013, 07:58 PM	#5
JRILEYNJ User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 9 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just joined how do I go about finding info on a Luger I just acquired single date 1920 all matching serial number inspector marks and what i'm guessing is unit numbers for police? (S.Br.L 652.) serial number 2429 and what appears to be a cursive n. under barrell

08-18-2013, 10:18 PM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	The best way to get ingformation is to take and share lots of good photos and start a new thread. You will get responses. dju

08-18-2013, 11:34 PM	#7
JRILEYNJ User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 9 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks ill get them up tomorrow