1917 dwm

Doubs · 07-16-2023, 01:08 PM

I agree with Edward that the sunburst and S on the magazine base with matching serial number would seem to indicate police service at some point in time. Otherwise it's a typical 1917 military issue DWM Luger.

That mag base marked "Franzite" is something you don't see every day. A company in Chicago made grips and other items of plastic beginning in the 1930's through the 1960's and the plastic was termed "Franzite". I once owned a 1916 DWM Luger with a set of Franzite pearl grips, the most God awful looking Luger grips I've ever seen. I'm sure there are still older pistols and revolvers around with Franzite grips.

07-16-2023, 01:08 PM	#3
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,786 Times in 590 Posts	I agree with Edward that the sunburst and S on the magazine base with matching serial number would seem to indicate police service at some point in time. Otherwise it's a typical 1917 military issue DWM Luger. That mag base marked "Franzite" is something you don't see every day. A company in Chicago made grips and other items of plastic beginning in the 1930's through the 1960's and the plastic was termed "Franzite". I once owned a 1916 DWM Luger with a set of Franzite pearl grips, the most God awful looking Luger grips I've ever seen. I'm sure there are still older pistols and revolvers around with Franzite grips.