Circle S

SteveM · 01-08-2015, 02:40 PM

So my fiend at the lgs calls yesterday and tells me they just got a Luger in on consignment. He tells me it is 1918/1920 dated, has CR on the left side barrel extension and a non matching serial number back of frame. I drive over there and sure enough it is a all matching 1918/1920 DWM with sear safety, deactivated mag safety, no police markings on gripstrap, no re-work stamps anywhere, and 1 matching Haenel magazine. Other than the chip on the left grip it is a pretty decent example. While I was looking at the Luger he says I should take a look at this(last pic)..

Zorba · 01-08-2015, 03:01 PM

Looks fiendish! Did you buy either?

sheepherder · 01-08-2015, 03:18 PM

.45 cal large frame [pre-N frame?] S&W...Old...

What's he want for it???

The circle-S looks familiar; but not through the serial number...I don't recall what it means, someone here will know...

SteveM · 01-08-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zormpas

Looks fiendish! Did you buy either?

Yes, I bought both of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

.45 cal large frame [pre-N frame?] S&W...Old...

It's a S&W 1917 Commercial, not very many of these around. I plan to get a letter on it to see when and where it was shipped from the factory.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

The circle-S looks familiar; but not through the serial number...I don't recall what it means, someone here will know...

The jury is still out on the Circle S Lugers, there doesn't seem to be very many of these around either.

I'm about to retire from a very large telco after 34+ years, thought I would treat myself to a retirement gift before I start my next career.

Edward Tinker · 01-08-2015, 04:06 PM

Excelletn buys

that is one of the nicer Circle S (circles) I have seen, many times the circle was stamped more to the left and it looks a bit off

of course the number on the rear is likely a 'rack' or weapons number.

Very nice example and I still am of the opinion that the Circle S is police related, although there are almost as many with out sear or mag safeties.

Ed

nukem556 · 01-08-2015, 08:29 PM

Both are nice acquisitions, but that Smith is a real treasure...beautiful condition.

Sergio Natali · 01-09-2015, 03:48 AM

About the mystery of S circled Lugers there is an interesting thread dated 2007 in Jan Still Forum.

luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?10252-Circle-S-Marked-Lugers-Interim-Report

Sergio

kurusu · 01-09-2015, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveM

Yes, I bought both of them.

It's a S&W 1917 Commercial, not very many of these around. I plan to get a letter on it to see when and where it was shipped from the factory.

I've got one of those. Yours seems in a little better condition than mine expecially the grip panels, mine is also missing the lanyard ring.

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Dwight Gruber · 01-09-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luger.parabellum

About the mystery of S circled Lugers there is an interesting thread dated 2007 in Jan Still Forum.

luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?10252-Circle-S-Marked-Lugers-Interim-Report

Sergio

The most current update to this topic, including detailed photographs and data table, is found in "Police Lugers" (2012) by Ed Tinker and myself.

--Dwight

rhuff · 01-09-2015, 02:36 PM

I fear that I would have responded exactly like you did, had they been offered to me. Congrats!!

SteveM · 01-10-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Excelletn buys

that is one of the nicer Circle S (circles) I have seen, many times the circle was stamped more to the left and it looks a bit off

of course the number on the rear is likely a 'rack' or weapons number.

Very nice example and I still am of the opinion that the Circle S is police related, although there are almost as many with out sear or mag safeties.

Ed

I have always wondered about these, the strange thing is it does not have your typical rework stamps that you see on imperal to police conversions. My other 1918 has them, it was previously an artillery though. This one just had the mag/sear safety added. Would this be the correct time period when spandau was repairing weapons?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhuff

I fear that I would have responded exactly like you did, had they been offered to me. Congrats!!

Thanks, it was a hard decision to make but how often do you have a couple nice pieces, and at the right price, come your way?

01-08-2015, 02:40 PM	#1
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Circle S So my fiend at the lgs calls yesterday and tells me they just got a Luger in on consignment. He tells me it is 1918/1920 dated, has CR on the left side barrel extension and a non matching serial number back of frame. I drive over there and sure enough it is a all matching 1918/1920 DWM with sear safety, deactivated mag safety, no police markings on gripstrap, no re-work stamps anywhere, and 1 matching Haenel magazine. Other than the chip on the left grip it is a pretty decent example. While I was looking at the Luger he says I should take a look at this(last pic).. Attached Thumbnails

01-08-2015, 03:18 PM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	.45 cal large frame [pre-N frame?] S&W...Old... What's he want for it??? The circle-S looks familiar; but not through the serial number...I don't recall what it means, someone here will know... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

01-08-2015, 04:06 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	Excelletn buys that is one of the nicer Circle S (circles) I have seen, many times the circle was stamped more to the left and it looks a bit off of course the number on the rear is likely a 'rack' or weapons number. Very nice example and I still am of the opinion that the Circle S is police related, although there are almost as many with out sear or mag safeties. Ed __________________ 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

01-09-2015, 03:48 AM	#7
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	About the mystery of S circled Lugers there is an interesting thread dated 2007 in Jan Still Forum. luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?10252-Circle-S-Marked-Lugers-Interim-Report Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

01-08-2015, 03:01 PM	#2
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 528 Times in 290 Posts	Looks fiendish! Did you buy either?

01-08-2015, 08:29 PM	#6
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	Both are nice acquisitions, but that Smith is a real treasure...beautiful condition.

01-09-2015, 02:36 PM	#10
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,305 Thanks: 2,735 Thanked 991 Times in 727 Posts	I fear that I would have responded exactly like you did, had they been offered to me. Congrats!!