Rookie Luger owner (1917 1920 DWM)

[cjones]

Gentlemen,
I have found the information in this forum and similar forums to be very helpful. Having limited knowledge on the luger, as compared to many of you, learning new things with each thread has been rewarding. From knowing nothing to gaining a grasp on the basics, I figured I would share my luger with this community. If anyone feels up to it or is so kind, feel free to add to my education with the photos provided.

About the luger:

Acquired it like many other folks, through a family member who served in WWII. (See the attached certificate with the matching
number for the gun). The numbers on the gun match upon inspection and cleaning by a gunsmith. Only one part, the firing pin, has been replaced. After 1945, the gun was put away and the firing pin removed. It was recently brought out for the first time and taken to the gunsmith, who is the only person to shoot it in 68 years. He offered to purchase it many times that week. I’ll never sell this one since it is a part of a family collection which includes numerous other pieces to be rightfully passed to the next generation. (Although a valuation for insurance may be helpful should it merit one) I’m more interested in the history and putting all the details together.

The family member took possession of the gun while serving in the 84th Infantry Division “Railsplitters.” Accounts put this weapon at either the Battle of the Bulge or the Rhineland Campaign. Unfortunately, that aspect of the story is lost forever and was never fully addressed (The removal of the firing pin and hiding the gun may indicate a reason for that).

Specifics:
Maker: DWM
“Double Stamp” : 1917 and 1920
Serial Number: 1625
Suffix: m

Markings/stamps/proofs location:
Barrel-Unidentified mark on the left side of the barrel; matching numbers (1625) and caliber (8.83) markings underneath; and another very small unidentified marking directly on top of the barrel (I may have to provide a better picture)

Inner writing on metal grip- crossed out S. Mi. 206.

German military infantry proof on right side of upper next to barrel

German military proof on “elbow joint”

Two non matching number clips (2466 with what looks like a cursive L and cross below numbers) (1132 with faded cross)

Holster, worn with no identifiable markings.

Feel free to take a stab at the puzzle pieces or just enjoy the pictures.

[Maestro]

priceless

[DavidJayUden]

Sort of interesting gun. It started out as a WW1 military weapon, and was eventually sucked into the "inventory" of the Weimar regime, thus the 1920 property stamp. I noticed that the receiver has the cut-out for the Artillery sight, something usually seen on Erfurt guns, not DWM. So we better wait for some more knowledgable opinions.
I'm not seeing anything particularly special, just a nice double-stamp. Insurance valuation might go $1500, which OMHO is a bit above retail.
Welcome aboard.
dju

[wlyon]

The cancelled grip marking is Police. S for Schutzpolizei, Mi. for Minden and then the weapon number. The holster I believe is Bulgarian. The luger has me snowed so will let others help you. Bill

[cirelaw]

A beautiful presentation!!!!

[Edward Tinker]

The 1920 property stamp is slightly different than said... there was a law that stated guns were to be turned in to the govt, and guns were being turned in for cash, so the govt decided to mark each gun with the 1920. I guess this shows weimar possession... I just interpret it a bit different.

The Luger was at one time police service, but does not have a sear or mag safety, so likely out of police usage by the thirties, but hard to say.

Not sure what a infantry proof is? On a Luger are acceptance markings and then govt proofs. Proofs are the eagle on the far right, on barrel and left of breachblock.

[DavidJayUden]

Do you think that this was originally an Artillery but rebarrelled to 4"?
dju

[SteveM]

The holster is for a Radom.

I have a 1918 DWM that was an artillery. It was routed to a police depot where it received a new barrel and rear toggle. Along with a sear safety.

[Don M]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Do you think that this was originally an Artillery but rebarrelled to 4"?
dju

Yes, probably by the police in the early 1920s since the long-barraled LP08 was unwieldly for police work.

The lack of a sear or mag safety as well as the cancellation of the police property marking indicates the gun was originally reissued to a barracked Schupo unit that was transferred to the military in the mid-1930s as Ed has suggested.

[ithacaartist]

I own a very similar piece, also a DWM with the Artie notch. I was reminded that if the notch appeared on a DWM, it definitely was born an Artie, as opposed to an Erfurt, all of which were notched after a certain point in time (1916?), making it difficult to tell.

[cjones]

Thank you all for the responses. I was a bit confused by the artillery notch, no sear and mag safety as well as the crossed out Schupo unit. The comments were of great help.

I think the next part I want to look into is what happened to the luger from the mid-1930's through capture. The barracked Schupo unit should be an interesting new wrinkle to look at for me.

[alanint]

The safety bar appears force matched, which is not unusual in police reworks.

[cirelaw]

Its just like solving a murder, searching for clues with the luger detectives!! Good Work boys!