alphabet soup

k98mike · 07-25-2018, 04:39 PM

Does anyone have a decoder for the script letters at the end of Luger serial numbers? I've looked up old German cursive on the net but still have some questions like is that an "r" or a "j" and "What the hell is that". Thanks to whoever replies, Mike

HerrKaiser · 07-25-2018, 04:46 PM

The “code” is that the pistols were made in blocks of 9,999 (some say 10,000). After that, they would start over with a letter. So the first block would be sn 1-9999. Then they would start over from 1a-9999a. Repeating through the alphabet as far as they could go in a year. So, as I understand it, there should be pistols from 1908-1918 all marked serial number 100 (for example). If I am wrong, someone(s) please correct me. Hopefully this helped and we can answer your question. If not, I’m sure that somehweres in the FAQ page there are better and more detailed explanations of this.

k98mike · 07-25-2018, 05:27 PM

Right, they usually left out the x block. I just literally cant make out some of the letters, like is that a "g" or an "f".

sheepherder · 07-25-2018, 05:30 PM

If you go to this 'sticky' thread, you will find examples of the suffix letters -

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=34813

Takes a bit of time matching the pics to your Luger...

k98mike · 07-25-2018, 06:13 PM

THAT"S what I was looking for!!!

sheepherder · 07-25-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k98mike

THAT"S what I was looking for!!!

Ed Tinker would be gratified to know that his time consuming efforts to compile that listing are appreciated.

HerrKaiser · 07-25-2018, 06:37 PM

Whoops! Sorry, I must have fundamentally misunderstood the original question. But I agree, sometimes it’s incredibly hard to differentiate suffix letters in that script.

mrerick · 07-25-2018, 10:20 PM

At the end of the FAQ PDF document is a very nice reference to magazine suffix letters. These are helpful for Mauser era pistols.

Just follow the FAQ at the top of every forum page and download the document.

07-25-2018, 04:39 PM	#1
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	alphabet soup Does anyone have a decoder for the script letters at the end of Luger serial numbers? I've looked up old German cursive on the net but still have some questions like is that an "r" or a "j" and "What the hell is that". Thanks to whoever replies, Mike

07-25-2018, 04:46 PM	#2
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 810 Thanks: 761 Thanked 805 Times in 382 Posts	The “code” is that the pistols were made in blocks of 9,999 (some say 10,000). After that, they would start over with a letter. So the first block would be sn 1-9999. Then they would start over from 1a-9999a. Repeating through the alphabet as far as they could go in a year. So, as I understand it, there should be pistols from 1908-1918 all marked serial number 100 (for example). If I am wrong, someone(s) please correct me. Hopefully this helped and we can answer your question. If not, I’m sure that somehweres in the FAQ page there are better and more detailed explanations of this. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

07-25-2018, 05:27 PM	#3
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	Thanks! Right, they usually left out the x block. I just literally cant make out some of the letters, like is that a "g" or an "f".

07-25-2018, 05:30 PM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	If you go to this 'sticky' thread, you will find examples of the suffix letters - http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=34813 Takes a bit of time matching the pics to your Luger... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

07-25-2018, 06:13 PM	#5
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	Thank you! THAT"S what I was looking for!!!

07-25-2018, 06:37 PM	#7
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 810 Thanks: 761 Thanked 805 Times in 382 Posts	Whoops! Sorry, I must have fundamentally misunderstood the original question. But I agree, sometimes it’s incredibly hard to differentiate suffix letters in that script. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

07-25-2018, 10:20 PM	#8
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	At the end of the FAQ PDF document is a very nice reference to magazine suffix letters. These are helpful for Mauser era pistols. Just follow the FAQ at the top of every forum page and download the document. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.