Grip ID help needed

Eugen · 10-24-2018, 09:54 PM

A friend bought a box of misc. grips and called me asking for help in identifying a set of grips he thought might from a Luger. He thought right.

The grips appear to be matching. Both show similar patina and wear and both have a "15" stamp on the inside (one 15 is faint but is there). The safety grip side has the letter "O" and "D" stamped, the other has Franktur looking "N". What do those mean?

Can the era be determined? Imperial, Weimer, Nazis based on the limited info. Any other insight on this pair? Lastly, since my Friend does not own a Luger he plans to sell them. What would be a fair price?

Thank you for any assistance on my questions.

Ron Wood · 10-25-2018, 12:16 AM

Other than the “15” serial marking, like other Luger interior markings they are nothing more than inspector’s stamps. To my eye they are Imperial/Weimar grips (most likely Imperial). They are well worn and have the usual safety chip. In my opinion, considering the wear, unless someone needed the “15” serial number to match up with their Luger the value is around $100-$125. JMHO

ithacaartist · 10-25-2018, 08:53 PM

I've noticed that there's generally a difference in fonts used to mark Mauser and pre-Mauser guns. The later guns have a clean line to their numbers, and the earlier ones have a more fancy script. Also, the size of the Mauser numbers in grips they marked are larger than earlier Lugers. (I can't make out the "15" on either grip.)

Eugen · 10-26-2018, 08:32 AM

Tom, Dave, thank you for the helpful replies.

Tom, I imagined they might have come off of a DWM or an Erfurt simply because they were so well worn. But, that was just me guessing. Except for the chip, the wear is fairly even and just high point, so to speak. My buddy will be pleased with your estimated value range as I am sure he did not pay much for them.

Dave, you provided an interesting observation. But, I am not sure if these grips fonts are "fancy" or not.

Here are some close up shots of each grips' "15" stamps. Do they provide any additional insight for you?

Pistol · 10-26-2018, 11:44 AM

I agree with Mr. Wood. They seem to be Imperial era for a DWM based upon size and style of the #15. ...as Ithacaartist points out. Could have been stamped later in the early 1920's. The later mauser grips I have had, usually have larger numbers if any.

10-25-2018, 12:16 AM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,177 Times in 1,702 Posts	Other than the “15” serial marking, like other Luger interior markings they are nothing more than inspector’s stamps. To my eye they are Imperial/Weimar grips (most likely Imperial). They are well worn and have the usual safety chip. In my opinion, considering the wear, unless someone needed the “15” serial number to match up with their Luger the value is around $100-$125. JMHO __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction Last edited by Ron Wood; 10-25-2018 at 12:39 PM.

10-25-2018, 08:53 PM	#3
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,346 Thanks: 7,270 Thanked 2,578 Times in 1,365 Posts	I've noticed that there's generally a difference in fonts used to mark Mauser and pre-Mauser guns. The later guns have a clean line to their numbers, and the earlier ones have a more fancy script. Also, the size of the Mauser numbers in grips they marked are larger than earlier Lugers. (I can't make out the "15" on either grip.) __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

10-26-2018, 08:32 AM	#4
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 790 Thanks: 394 Thanked 631 Times in 334 Posts	Tom, Dave, thank you for the helpful replies. Tom, I imagined they might have come off of a DWM or an Erfurt simply because they were so well worn. But, that was just me guessing. Except for the chip, the wear is fairly even and just high point, so to speak. My buddy will be pleased with your estimated value range as I am sure he did not pay much for them. Dave, you provided an interesting observation. But, I am not sure if these grips fonts are "fancy" or not. Here are some close up shots of each grips' "15" stamps. Do they provide any additional insight for you? Attached Thumbnails __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

10-24-2018, 09:54 PM	#1
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 790 Thanks: 394 Thanked 631 Times in 334 Posts	Grip ID help needed A friend bought a box of misc. grips and called me asking for help in identifying a set of grips he thought might from a Luger. He thought right. The grips appear to be matching. Both show similar patina and wear and both have a "15" stamp on the inside (one 15 is faint but is there). The safety grip side has the letter "O" and "D" stamped, the other has Franktur looking "N". What do those mean? Can the era be determined? Imperial, Weimer, Nazis based on the limited info. Any other insight on this pair? Lastly, since my Friend does not own a Luger he plans to sell them. What would be a fair price? Thank you for any assistance on my questions. Attached Thumbnails __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

10-26-2018, 11:44 AM	#5
Pistol User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 428 Thanks: 448 Thanked 220 Times in 99 Posts	I agree with Mr. Wood. They seem to be Imperial era for a DWM based upon size and style of the #15. ...as Ithacaartist points out. Could have been stamped later in the early 1920's. The later mauser grips I have had, usually have larger numbers if any.