New member with first post and first Luger

Artemus · 08-24-2023, 05:56 PM

Greetings everyone. Having never owned a Luger until recently, I waited to join until after I had something to share. I am a C&R and military collector (mostly long guns). An opportunity came up and I just purchased a 1921 DWM Luger. It has the police sear safety. Decent blue and straw parts, may have been reconditioned at some point like when the safety was added. I'll attach some large resolution photos. It appears to be matching except for an unmarked magazine and grips. The grips appear to have what may be initials stamped in them. I'll welcome comments on condition and information please! Thank you. Artemus

Mac Cat · 08-24-2023, 11:16 PM

I think you figured it out right.
Nice pictures, too.

It's clearly been professionally refinished, but very nicely done.
The straw parts are incredibly shiny and gold.

Vlim · 08-25-2023, 08:40 AM

It is a fairly recent reblue with restrawed parts, it unfortunately destroyed the collecting value.

mrerick · 08-25-2023, 11:58 AM

Welcome to the forum.

The polished high flats and lack of "halos" on the barrel serial number are evidence of the pistol being refinished.

The letters in the grip were pantographed, likely by a post war owner.

I wonder if the small parts may be plated instead of strawed. I've never seen straw this bright and consistent.

Artemus · 08-25-2023, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Welcome to the forum.

The polished high flats and lack of "halos" on the barrel serial number are evidence of the pistol being refinished.

The letters in the grip were pantographed, likely by a post war owner.

I wonder if the small parts may be plated instead of strawed. I've never seen straw this bright and consistent.

mrerick,

Thank you for the input. Yes. I believe this one is certainly refinished. How long ago is probably unimportant as a result. Done is done. I did not choose this one for it's looks although it's attractive, it's the first opportunity I've had. And the matching numbers aspect was my deciding factor. The fellow I got it from said he'd bought it from a serviceman collector in Ohio in the 1990's (not a WW2 vet). As a novice, the strawed parts look like others I've seen posted but maybe cleaner. Maybe it's the lighting brightness. I took the side shots in bright natural daylight. I'll try for another left side photo with less brightness tomorrow. Under a lamp you can see a yellow cast. Artemus

Curly1 · 08-25-2023, 04:17 PM

Welcome to the forums.

mrerick · 08-25-2023, 04:26 PM

For shooting, it would be wise to use a different, more substantial magazine.

The best I have for shooting are the welded and milled steel magazines, either the E/37 - FXO wartime ones or post war 2/1001 marked magazines.

See our FAQ documents for more details.

Mac Cat · 08-25-2023, 04:51 PM

Outdoor daylight is best for balanced lighting, but not direct sunlight (harsh shadows/glare).

A darker background usually helps your camera lighten up the image (dark gray or dark red).

It takes a lot of trial and error, too!

Welcome aboard.

P.S. If you can't find a sturdy magazine, then try a Mac-gar - they are available in nickel or blued for about $45.

Peteyboy · 08-26-2023, 03:25 PM

MEC-GAR magazines have great reviews and are for sale on ebay for about $30.00 with free shipping. I just had to get one in case the WWII mags don't work.

08-24-2023, 05:56 PM	#1
Artemus New User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 2 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	New member with first post and first Luger Greetings everyone. Having never owned a Luger until recently, I waited to join until after I had something to share. I am a C&R and military collector (mostly long guns). An opportunity came up and I just purchased a 1921 DWM Luger. It has the police sear safety. Decent blue and straw parts, may have been reconditioned at some point like when the safety was added. I'll attach some large resolution photos. It appears to be matching except for an unmarked magazine and grips. The grips appear to have what may be initials stamped in them. I'll welcome comments on condition and information please! Thank you. Artemus

08-25-2023, 11:58 AM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Welcome to the forum. The polished high flats and lack of "halos" on the barrel serial number are evidence of the pistol being refinished. The letters in the grip were pantographed, likely by a post war owner. I wonder if the small parts may be plated instead of strawed. I've never seen straw this bright and consistent. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-25-2023, 04:17 PM	#6
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,238 Thanks: 117 Thanked 713 Times in 370 Posts	Welcome to the forums. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

08-25-2023, 04:26 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	For shooting, it would be wise to use a different, more substantial magazine. The best I have for shooting are the welded and milled steel magazines, either the E/37 - FXO wartime ones or post war 2/1001 marked magazines. See our FAQ documents for more details. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-24-2023, 11:16 PM	#2
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 724 Thanks: 2,086 Thanked 604 Times in 326 Posts	I think you figured it out right. Nice pictures, too. It's clearly been professionally refinished, but very nicely done. The straw parts are incredibly shiny and gold.

08-25-2023, 08:40 AM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	It is a fairly recent reblue with restrawed parts, it unfortunately destroyed the collecting value.

08-25-2023, 04:51 PM	#8
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 724 Thanks: 2,086 Thanked 604 Times in 326 Posts	Outdoor daylight is best for balanced lighting, but not direct sunlight (harsh shadows/glare). A darker background usually helps your camera lighten up the image (dark gray or dark red). It takes a lot of trial and error, too! Welcome aboard. P.S. If you can't find a sturdy magazine, then try a Mac-gar - they are available in nickel or blued for about $45.

08-26-2023, 03:25 PM	#9
Peteyboy User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 22 Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 7 Posts	MEC-GAR magazines have great reviews and are for sale on ebay for about $30.00 with free shipping. I just had to get one in case the WWII mags don't work.