1917 dwm

22 short · 07-17-2016, 08:44 PM

Hello, I'm new to the forum and have a few questions on 1917 DWM Luger I recently purchased. It is in VG original cond with a high 90% blue and straw blue, all numbers that I can see are matching except the wood bottom mag, bore is excellent, grips are clean and free of cracks with sharp checkering. There is a R under the ser # in front of the trigger guard on the frame can you tell me what this means the serial #is in the correct range for a 1917 DWM and proofs match ones on your markings page. I'm afraid to do anything except wipe it down with a gun cloth as I know nothing about these. Thank you for any help
Paul

ithacaartist · 07-17-2016, 11:14 PM

Welcome to the forum, Paul. A cursive lower-case letter would be expected (Odds are 26-to-1) on a military Luger, and it's the "letter suffix"--part of the serial number. Each manufactured "block' of pistols contained 10,000 pistols, and after 9,999, the numbers started all over again, but with the next letter as the suffix.

Check out the FAQ--recommend, for example, because this question is explained there! If you're bitten by the Luger bug, the best way to maintain (there is no cure) the fever in the beginning days at Luger University is to read, read, and read some more--On this, as well as Jan Still's forum, the basic books that cover history and development of the pistol (Some books that give a good, general overview are quite affordable.), and anything else you can find--YouTube, Gerard Henrotin's e-books, etc.

We'd like to see some pics of your weapon, too. There's a FAQ about the basics of what pics to take, and the best way to have good results...

If yours turns out to be collectible, you may choose to refrain from actually shooting it. After a brief incubation, Luger Fever usually compels the patient to shoot one. If you're into the systems and mechanics of them, a relatively cheap shooter would allow you the opportunity to become familiar with them, inside and out, as well as conserve this first one if it is not a shooter. If it is shooter grade for some reason, that's good because the fun at the range can begin almost immediately. But let's hold our water, here, until we figure out what you have and what you intend to do with it.

Edward Tinker · 07-17-2016, 11:28 PM

Paul, welcome

I made it so you'll get notified if someone posts.
As usual, pictures help a lot. The suffix is part of the serial number.

Taking a Luger down is easy, once you've done it ten times. I never tear down past the cleaning phase, I.e. Less is better in my book.

Biggest trick is ensuring you don't force the takedown lever, release the tension first by pushing barrel back on a hard surface, your hand, etc.

Welcome to the forum!

Sergio Natali · 07-18-2016, 03:40 AM

Paul

I completely agree with David (Ithacaartist).
Why don't you try to post some close up pictures of that luger, after that maybe we can give you an idea of its originality and value.

22 short · 07-18-2016, 06:58 AM

thanks everyone I'll try to post some pics later today if I can

22 short · 07-18-2016, 09:09 AM

tried to post pics when I get to the upload screen I get a HTTP500 error and nothing happens?

alanint · 07-18-2016, 12:48 PM

Your photos may be too dense. Try resizing them with a lower pixel density and see what happens.

22 short · 07-18-2016, 01:19 PM

thanks I give it a try, I think I need my 5 yearold grandson to help me!

John Sabato · 07-18-2016, 01:59 PM

If reducing the physical size of your files doesn't work, you can try the Go Advanced option to post and then use the manage attachments button instead of using the upload photo option.

Sergio Natali · 07-18-2016, 02:17 PM

Maybe you're trying to load files too big?

22 short · 07-18-2016, 02:18 PM

thanks John

rhuff · 07-18-2016, 02:19 PM

Welcome to the forum, and I look forward to seeing your Luger...the more, the better.

22 short · 07-18-2016, 02:23 PM

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22 short · 07-18-2016, 02:24 PM

there is grease or cosmoline around trigger and I think the ejector on the right side not rust you guys were right! the pics were to big thanks

DonVoigt · 07-18-2016, 03:17 PM

Looks good from 50 feet!
Now do some close ups of the markings.

Welcome to the board.

22 short · 07-18-2016, 03:29 PM

It took me all day to post those pics, maybe tomorrow looks just as good up close under a glass, all markings are clear and strong, thanks Paul

DonVoigt · 07-18-2016, 04:17 PM

We've all seen markings, just not the one's on your pistol.
They tell a little more than just the date, or can.

Your choice though.

22 short · 07-18-2016, 05:08 PM

There identical to #15 on your markings page

DonVoigt · 07-18-2016, 07:22 PM

Very helpful.

22 short · 07-18-2016, 07:37 PM

will post somemore pics tomorrow

07-17-2016, 11:14 PM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,374 Thanks: 7,447 Thanked 2,613 Times in 1,380 Posts	Welcome to the forum, Paul. A cursive lower-case letter would be expected (Odds are 26-to-1) on a military Luger, and it's the "letter suffix"--part of the serial number. Each manufactured "block' of pistols contained 10,000 pistols, and after 9,999, the numbers started all over again, but with the next letter as the suffix. Check out the FAQ--recommend, for example, because this question is explained there! If you're bitten by the Luger bug, the best way to maintain (there is no cure) the fever in the beginning days at Luger University is to read, read, and read some more--On this, as well as Jan Still's forum, the basic books that cover history and development of the pistol (Some books that give a good, general overview are quite affordable.), and anything else you can find--YouTube, Gerard Henrotin's e-books, etc. We'd like to see some pics of your weapon, too. There's a FAQ about the basics of what pics to take, and the best way to have good results... If yours turns out to be collectible, you may choose to refrain from actually shooting it. After a brief incubation, Luger Fever usually compels the patient to shoot one. If you're into the systems and mechanics of them, a relatively cheap shooter would allow you the opportunity to become familiar with them, inside and out, as well as conserve this first one if it is not a shooter. If it is shooter grade for some reason, that's good because the fun at the range can begin almost immediately. But let's hold our water, here, until we figure out what you have and what you intend to do with it. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

07-17-2016, 11:28 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Paul, welcome I made it so you'll get notified if someone posts. As usual, pictures help a lot. The suffix is part of the serial number. Taking a Luger down is easy, once you've done it ten times. I never tear down past the cleaning phase, I.e. Less is better in my book. Biggest trick is ensuring you don't force the takedown lever, release the tension first by pushing barrel back on a hard surface, your hand, etc. Welcome to the forum! __________________ 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

07-18-2016, 03:40 AM	#4
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	Paul I completely agree with David (Ithacaartist). Why don't you try to post some close up pictures of that luger, after that maybe we can give you an idea of its originality and value. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

07-18-2016, 01:59 PM	#9
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	If reducing the physical size of your files doesn't work, you can try the Go Advanced option to post and then use the manage attachments button instead of using the upload photo option. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-18-2016, 02:17 PM	#10
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	Maybe you're trying to load files too big? __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

07-17-2016, 08:44 PM	#1
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	1917 dwm Hello, I'm new to the forum and have a few questions on 1917 DWM Luger I recently purchased. It is in VG original cond with a high 90% blue and straw blue, all numbers that I can see are matching except the wood bottom mag, bore is excellent, grips are clean and free of cracks with sharp checkering. There is a R under the ser # in front of the trigger guard on the frame can you tell me what this means the serial #is in the correct range for a 1917 DWM and proofs match ones on your markings page. I'm afraid to do anything except wipe it down with a gun cloth as I know nothing about these. Thank you for any help Paul Last edited by Edward Tinker; 07-17-2016 at 11:24 PM.

07-18-2016, 06:58 AM	#5
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	thanks everyone I'll try to post some pics later today if I can

07-18-2016, 09:09 AM	#6
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	tried to post pics when I get to the upload screen I get a HTTP500 error and nothing happens?

07-18-2016, 12:48 PM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Your photos may be too dense. Try resizing them with a lower pixel density and see what happens.

07-18-2016, 01:19 PM	#8
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	thanks I give it a try, I think I need my 5 yearold grandson to help me!

07-18-2016, 02:18 PM	#11
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	thanks John

07-18-2016, 02:19 PM	#12
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,308 Thanks: 2,737 Thanked 993 Times in 729 Posts	Welcome to the forum, and I look forward to seeing your Luger...the more, the better.

07-18-2016, 02:23 PM	#13
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	pics jpg.jpg.gif P7183160.jpg (244.7 KB) gif P7183162.jpg (126.3 KB)

07-18-2016, 02:24 PM	#14
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	there is grease or cosmoline around trigger and I think the ejector on the right side not rust you guys were right! the pics were to big thanks

07-18-2016, 03:17 PM	#15
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	Looks good from 50 feet! Now do some close ups of the markings. Welcome to the board. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-18-2016, 03:29 PM	#16
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	It took me all day to post those pics, maybe tomorrow looks just as good up close under a glass, all markings are clear and strong, thanks Paul

07-18-2016, 04:17 PM	#17
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	We've all seen markings, just not the one's on your pistol. They tell a little more than just the date, or can. Your choice though. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-18-2016, 05:08 PM	#18
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	There identical to #15 on your markings page

07-18-2016, 07:22 PM	#19
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	Very helpful. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-18-2016, 07:37 PM	#20
22 short User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 19 Thanks: 15 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	will post somemore pics tomorrow