Inherited a 1910 Luger DWM, Trying to Learn More About It

awthomp · 09-19-2013, 06:28 PM

Hi folks, I know next to nothing about guns to begin with, so please keep that in mind when reading my question!

My grandparents recently downsized and, in their old age, started giving away items. Included was a 1910 Luger which, from the markings, I can tell is manufactured by DWM. All the serial numbers seem to match as well. Hopefully the pictures are good enough to show this.

Here's the gun and clips from long range:

Manufacture marking:

Date:

Serial Numbers:

Unfortunately, it seems like the toggle is stuck. Granted, I'm not too sure what I'm doing, but this is as far up as the toggle goes:

I'm wondering if you friendly folks could give me some info on my gun. Is it worth restoration? What's the approximate value?

I really appreciate your help. This is a really cool piece, but knowing next to nothing about it (and firearms in general) is pretty intimidating.

Thanks!

DavidJayUden · 09-19-2013, 06:53 PM

It is not worth restoration simply because it is worth more as an original, unmolested gun. It needs a serious cleaning and lube, but appears very nice. With the 2 mags. I'd ballpark it around $1200, but we could use more photos to guide us.
Anyway, it is well worth taking good care of.
dju

Edward Tinker · 09-19-2013, 06:56 PM

Welcome to the forum. A good cleaning with nothing abrasive would do wonders. I use gun oil and 0000 steel wool, and anything more abrasive could hurt it.

Posting pictures here is prefered.

I think you might have the safety on when pulling on the toggle?

Do a YouTube search on Luger take down. Also look around here for info, but ask questions here.

awthomp · 09-19-2013, 06:58 PM

Thanks for the insight so far. What other pictures would be helpful?

DavidJayUden · 09-19-2013, 07:44 PM

Outdoors light, no flash, close ups of left, right, top, front and rear grip straps for starters. Also, use EXTREME caution in removing that left grip panel as they tend to chip away under the safety.
dju

George Anderson · 09-19-2013, 07:58 PM

Any markings on the grip strap?

mrerick · 09-19-2013, 08:25 PM

Hi and Welcome to the forum!

I think you have a very nice Luger, most likely in original condition. It should be kept that way after cleaning it properly and then preserving it with appropriate lubrication and oiling.

You have to remove the magazine and take the safety off before racking the toggle. These earlier DWM Lugers have an unrelieved sear bar that is blocked by the safety lever.

Be very careful and ensure that it is not loaded as you handle and manipulate it. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction. Keep your finger off the trigger and away from the sear bar. Keep the Luger unloaded unless you're going to be immediately shooting it. A Luger is fully capable of being fired when the cannon/receiver is disassembled from the frame.

A fine early Luger like this should generally not be fired. That is because much of it's value is in it's matched, numbered, original parts. Break it and a good percentage of the value and some of it's history disappears.

Much of the surface rust can be removed by gently rubbing it with well oiled very fine steel wool or bronze wool. If you remove the grips, use great care when lifting them from the frame. It is easy to crack the left grip up near the safety lever.

Please let us know how we can be of help.

Marc

Sergio Natali · 09-20-2013, 03:25 AM

I think that Marc and Edward have already given you all the necessary info, what can I say, Just try to preserve what you have, its value in bucks is not the main thing, what counts is the historical witness of your gun.
Anyway, a good cleaning with nothing abrasive would do wonders. I've been using gun oils like DW40 and Ballistol for ages without any problem.

Geo99 · 09-21-2013, 10:42 PM

That looks like more than surface rust to me - I see a lot of pitting.
I'm sorry but this gun can't be worth more than $900 in that condition. The only thing that would make it worth more is if the mags are numbered to match the gun.

In my experience, rust damage is somewhat permanent and can never be fully fixed. I've ruined more guns with bronze wool than I care to admit. It leaves the bluing with a yellow or gold tint. Stick with CLEAN oiled steel wool and you should be able to turn the rust dark enough to blend with the finish. After that, the best thing I have found to remove any remaining rust safely is a Q-Tip soaked in gun oil and a lot of rubbing. Keep rubbing and checking - as long as the color of what you are removing is brown, you are OK. As soon as you see gray, STOP - that is bluing coming off.

Still, it's an original Luger for someone to start out with and learn by taking it apart and putting it back together a few times.

- Geo

09-19-2013, 06:28 PM	#1
awthomp New User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Inherited a 1910 Luger DWM, Trying to Learn More About It Hi folks, I know next to nothing about guns to begin with, so please keep that in mind when reading my question! My grandparents recently downsized and, in their old age, started giving away items. Included was a 1910 Luger which, from the markings, I can tell is manufactured by DWM. All the serial numbers seem to match as well. Hopefully the pictures are good enough to show this. Here's the gun and clips from long range: Manufacture marking: Date: Serial Numbers: Unfortunately, it seems like the toggle is stuck. Granted, I'm not too sure what I'm doing, but this is as far up as the toggle goes: I'm wondering if you friendly folks could give me some info on my gun. Is it worth restoration? What's the approximate value? I really appreciate your help. This is a really cool piece, but knowing next to nothing about it (and firearms in general) is pretty intimidating. Thanks!

09-19-2013, 06:56 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Welcome to the forum. A good cleaning with nothing abrasive would do wonders. I use gun oil and 0000 steel wool, and anything more abrasive could hurt it. Posting pictures here is prefered. I think you might have the safety on when pulling on the toggle? Do a YouTube search on Luger take down. Also look around here for info, but ask questions here. __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-19-2013, 08:25 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Hi and Welcome to the forum! I think you have a very nice Luger, most likely in original condition. It should be kept that way after cleaning it properly and then preserving it with appropriate lubrication and oiling. You have to remove the magazine and take the safety off before racking the toggle. These earlier DWM Lugers have an unrelieved sear bar that is blocked by the safety lever. Be very careful and ensure that it is not loaded as you handle and manipulate it. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction. Keep your finger off the trigger and away from the sear bar. Keep the Luger unloaded unless you're going to be immediately shooting it. A Luger is fully capable of being fired when the cannon/receiver is disassembled from the frame. A fine early Luger like this should generally not be fired. That is because much of it's value is in it's matched, numbered, original parts. Break it and a good percentage of the value and some of it's history disappears. Much of the surface rust can be removed by gently rubbing it with well oiled very fine steel wool or bronze wool. If you remove the grips, use great care when lifting them from the frame. It is easy to crack the left grip up near the safety lever. Please let us know how we can be of help. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-20-2013, 03:25 AM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I think that Marc and Edward have already given you all the necessary info, what can I say, Just try to preserve what you have, its value in bucks is not the main thing, what counts is the historical witness of your gun. Anyway, a good cleaning with nothing abrasive would do wonders. I've been using gun oils like DW40 and Ballistol for ages without any problem. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-21-2013, 10:42 PM	#9
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	That looks like more than surface rust to me - I see a lot of pitting. I'm sorry but this gun can't be worth more than $900 in that condition. The only thing that would make it worth more is if the mags are numbered to match the gun. In my experience, rust damage is somewhat permanent and can never be fully fixed. I've ruined more guns with bronze wool than I care to admit. It leaves the bluing with a yellow or gold tint. Stick with CLEAN oiled steel wool and you should be able to turn the rust dark enough to blend with the finish. After that, the best thing I have found to remove any remaining rust safely is a Q-Tip soaked in gun oil and a lot of rubbing. Keep rubbing and checking - as long as the color of what you are removing is brown, you are OK. As soon as you see gray, STOP - that is bluing coming off. Still, it's an original Luger for someone to start out with and learn by taking it apart and putting it back together a few times. - Geo __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers Last edited by Geo99; 09-23-2013 at 01:44 AM.

09-19-2013, 06:53 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	It is not worth restoration simply because it is worth more as an original, unmolested gun. It needs a serious cleaning and lube, but appears very nice. With the 2 mags. I'd ballpark it around $1200, but we could use more photos to guide us. Anyway, it is well worth taking good care of. dju

09-19-2013, 06:58 PM	#4
awthomp New User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the insight so far. What other pictures would be helpful?

09-19-2013, 07:44 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Outdoors light, no flash, close ups of left, right, top, front and rear grip straps for starters. Also, use EXTREME caution in removing that left grip panel as they tend to chip away under the safety. dju

09-19-2013, 07:58 PM	#6
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Any markings on the grip strap?