Requesting Help to Identify/Verify an Old Luger

Mac Cat · 08-07-2023, 12:31 PM

That serial number is not on the Commercial database that I have access to.
But, it's unique enough I would certainly want to display it, too!

Some of the lugers in this range were American Eagles and many were stamped GERMANY for export. The export stamp may be on the front of the gun frame.

Also, I think it's special that some of these commercial lugers had 3-digits stamped on the smaller parts, like yours.

Nice find - thanks for sharing it.
I hope you'll post more photos.

BergThornson · 08-11-2023, 09:48 AM

Interesting! Assuming that this is really early model sold then. Love finding out all this information about it.

This Luger dose not have any other stamps, Including not having the "GERMANY" stamp on the frame. So its safe to assume that this gun was purchased in Germany itself.

But now I'm curious why the bottom frame has a " 4 " stamped on the inside of it, right below the barrel. Could this be from a different gun?

And another question out of curiosity; how often did German Soldiers and/or did their respective family members buy a pistol for The Great War? (If it did happen)
I know of American Soldiers and Marines themselves when heading overseas. To ensure they at lest had a pistol with them from home.

ithacaartist · 08-12-2023, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BergThornson

This Luger dose not have any other stamps, Including not having the "GERMANY" stamp on the frame. So its safe to assume that this gun was purchased in Germany itself.

Commercial Lugers weren't subject to military acceptance markings, and you'll also notice that the matching serialized parts were marked discretely, out of general sight. I think also that the requirement for imported guns to be marked with their country of manufacture for import to the U.S. hadn't kicked in when your pistol was new in ~ 1902. But I forget specifically when it was implemented.

Quote:

But now I'm curious why the bottom frame has a " 4 " stamped on the inside of it, right below the barrel. Could this be from a different gun?

Such marks as this were commonly applied by the technicians of the various operations to keep track of the latter.

Quote:

]And another question out of curiosity; how often did German Soldiers and/or did their respective family members buy a pistol for The Great War? (If it did happen)
I know of American Soldiers and Marines themselves when heading overseas. To ensure they at lest had a pistol with them from home.

The P.08 was the standard issue sidearm for NCOs like sergeants. The myth here is "taking a Luger from the body of a dead officer." IIRC, commissioned officers were commonly charged with procuring their own pistols. Though some probably did buy Lugers, smaller caliber Walthers, Mausers, etc. were easier to carry.

gunbugs · 08-12-2023, 03:08 AM

ithacaartist:The P.08 was the standard issue sidearm for NCOs like sergeants. The myth here is "taking a Luger from the body of a dead officer." IIRC, commissioned officers were commonly charged with procuring their own pistols. Though some probably did buy Lugers, smaller caliber Walthers, Mausers, etc. were easier to carry.

Generally speaking, the higher the rank, the smaller the pistol. Officers didn't like packing around large pistols.

08-11-2023, 09:48 AM	#2
BergThornson User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 5 Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Interesting! Assuming that this is really early model sold then. Love finding out all this information about it. This Luger dose not have any other stamps, Including not having the "GERMANY" stamp on the frame. So its safe to assume that this gun was purchased in Germany itself. But now I'm curious why the bottom frame has a " 4 " stamped on the inside of it, right below the barrel. Could this be from a different gun? And another question out of curiosity; how often did German Soldiers and/or did their respective family members buy a pistol for The Great War? (If it did happen) I know of American Soldiers and Marines themselves when heading overseas. To ensure they at lest had a pistol with them from home. Last edited by BergThornson; 08-11-2023 at 01:33 PM.

08-07-2023, 12:31 PM	#1
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 771 Thanks: 2,194 Thanked 660 Times in 352 Posts	That serial number is not on the Commercial database that I have access to. But, it's unique enough I would certainly want to display it, too! Some of the lugers in this range were American Eagles and many were stamped GERMANY for export. The export stamp may be on the front of the gun frame. Also, I think it's special that some of these commercial lugers had 3-digits stamped on the smaller parts, like yours. Nice find - thanks for sharing it. I hope you'll post more photos.

08-12-2023, 03:08 AM	#4
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 681 Thanks: 375 Thanked 1,227 Times in 414 Posts	ithacaartist:The P.08 was the standard issue sidearm for NCOs like sergeants. The myth here is "taking a Luger from the body of a dead officer." IIRC, commissioned officers were commonly charged with procuring their own pistols. Though some probably did buy Lugers, smaller caliber Walthers, Mausers, etc. were easier to carry. Generally speaking, the higher the rank, the smaller the pistol. Officers didn't like packing around large pistols.