I need help with identifying

JeffE · 11-01-2024, 02:10 PM

Hello all,
I was able to get my grandfather's Luger yesterday and o have been trying to research it and I can not get much info. I know he was in Germany during WW2. It is a DWM Luger wither serial number 8262 k. There are multiple "62" stamps on other parts. There is also the N crown stamp on the reciever. I will attach pictures. ANY info would be appreciated! Thank you.

PolishX · 11-01-2024, 02:32 PM

Thats a post war import civilian luger. You can tell by the "N" and crown on the barrel and the side. The blank top where a production year went, and the what appears to be a "k" suffix makes this a 1921-1922 produced commercial gun most likely in 7.65 Mauser . Also noted the "GERMANY" on the front was normal import markings pre 1968. It does appear numbers matching but it's not a war time bring back.

Don't let that deter you at all especially if it was your grandfathers. It use to be pre 1968 you could mail order pistols and rifles to your house or old ww2 vets use to buy them from the local VFW

JeffE · 11-01-2024, 02:59 PM

Thank you for the info! I'm not too worried if it was a bring back or not. It's still a family heirloom and I will definitely keep it that way. It took me years to get this pistol back from a neighbor who had it after my father passed 6 years ago. I have the manual too! All in German. I just need to find where I put it 6 years ago.....

Mac Cat · 11-01-2024, 03:04 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

These are usually called "Alphabet Lugers", which were produced after WW-1 (1919-1931).

Pull down a copy of the FAQs (top menu).
You will notice that these lugers have "strawed" small parts (trigger, takedown lever, safety lever, etc.)
It's a unique feature I really like to see.

When 5 digit commercial serial numbers got too high, DWM switched to the 4-digit serial numbers with a suffix around 1921. This one was probably delivered in 1922.

It would have come with a wrapped metal magazine with an unmarked wood bottom.

JeffE · 11-01-2024, 03:08 PM

I am still trying to get the magazine from the neighbor. He couldn't find it at the time he gave me the Luger.

JeffE · 11-01-2024, 03:09 PM

Thank you all for the help! I really appreciate it

rhuff · 11-01-2024, 03:35 PM

I also have an alphabet Luger that I have owned since 1972. It is a "sweetie" and a good shooter to boot. I wouldn't take for it. Congrats and enjoy!!

PolishX · 11-01-2024, 04:21 PM

Like Mac Cat said it's a great piece, really any luger in my opinion that isn't from that weird relaunch in the 70's is a great collector. Weimar era, Imperial, WW2 , commercial etc they are all special in their own way

velodog455~ · 11-02-2024, 09:11 AM

FWIW, finding a replacement unmarked correct commercial magazine with a wood bottom that would be correct for your Luger is fairly easy, especially when compared to finding a military magazine with a serial number matching a specific Luger. Should that become necessary, that is. Depends on how motivated your neighbor is in his search.

If you think that you would like to shoot the old girl then consider buying a Mec-Gar Luger/P.08 magazine as they usually work as well or better than a 100 year old mag. Cost is about $40 with tax and shipping, and are arguably the best aftermarket Luger mag you can buy. Gratuitous link provided:
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/mec-gar-...-magazine.html

If you want a correct commercial wood-bottom magazine it's probably a $150-$200 proposition. The Mec-Gar mag will usually arrive in 5 days or less.

-Bob

ithacaartist · 11-03-2024, 11:08 PM

Welcome to the forum!

Rick meant to say .30 Luger for the chamber, aka 7.65 x 21 Parabellum. 7.63×25mm Mauser would be a no-go!

Such slips happen..."extractor/ejector" is another one we mess up, if we aren't careful!

If this turns out to be chambered in 9mm (not likely, but possible) its value as a collectible would be enhanced.

I wouldn't knock the 70s' Mausers too much. I find the enterprise to have been a worthwhile attempt to produce affordable Lugers. Same for the stainless Lugers made in Houston... I can't help but admire such love for the pistol combined with the stones (and $) to try to make them.

Kiwi · Yesterday, 09:21 AM

I have a 70's Mauser in 7.65 6in Barrel - love to shoot. So lose the snobbery they are great guns.
Did have a piece break but G.T. got replacement parts to me.

Only thing I am not a fan of is the grip safety, I do have to adjust grip to fully depress so it will fire.

rhuff · Yesterday, 04:42 PM

I also have a '70s Mauser with a 6" bbl. that I am quite proud of. I sent the grips off and had them modified so that they feel "more correct" now. It is a great shooter and a nice "looker".

11-01-2024, 02:10 PM	#1
JeffE New User Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 4 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I need help with identifying Hello all, I was able to get my grandfather's Luger yesterday and o have been trying to research it and I can not get much info. I know he was in Germany during WW2. It is a DWM Luger wither serial number 8262 k. There are multiple "62" stamps on other parts. There is also the N crown stamp on the reciever. I will attach pictures. ANY info would be appreciated! Thank you. Attached Thumbnails

11-01-2024, 03:35 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,708 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	I also have an alphabet Luger that I have owned since 1972. It is a "sweetie" and a good shooter to boot. I wouldn't take for it. Congrats and enjoy!! __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

11-03-2024, 11:08 PM	#10
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 7,264 Thanked 2,569 Times in 1,363 Posts	Welcome to the forum! Rick meant to say .30 Luger for the chamber, aka 7.65 x 21 Parabellum. 7.63×25mm Mauser would be a no-go! Such slips happen..."extractor/ejector" is another one we mess up, if we aren't careful! If this turns out to be chambered in 9mm (not likely, but possible) its value as a collectible would be enhanced. I wouldn't knock the 70s' Mausers too much. I find the enterprise to have been a worthwhile attempt to produce affordable Lugers. Same for the stainless Lugers made in Houston... I can't help but admire such love for the pistol combined with the stones (and $) to try to make them. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

Yesterday, 04:42 PM	#12
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,708 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	I also have a '70s Mauser with a 6" bbl. that I am quite proud of. I sent the grips off and had them modified so that they feel "more correct" now. It is a great shooter and a nice "looker". __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

11-01-2024, 02:32 PM	#2
PolishX User Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 23 Thanks: 24 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	Thats a post war import civilian luger. You can tell by the "N" and crown on the barrel and the side. The blank top where a production year went, and the what appears to be a "k" suffix makes this a 1921-1922 produced commercial gun most likely in 7.65 Mauser . Also noted the "GERMANY" on the front was normal import markings pre 1968. It does appear numbers matching but it's not a war time bring back. Don't let that deter you at all especially if it was your grandfathers. It use to be pre 1968 you could mail order pistols and rifles to your house or old ww2 vets use to buy them from the local VFW

11-01-2024, 02:59 PM	#3
JeffE New User Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 4 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you for the info! I'm not too worried if it was a bring back or not. It's still a family heirloom and I will definitely keep it that way. It took me years to get this pistol back from a neighbor who had it after my father passed 6 years ago. I have the manual too! All in German. I just need to find where I put it 6 years ago.....

11-01-2024, 03:04 PM	#4
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 725 Thanks: 2,089 Thanked 606 Times in 327 Posts	Welcome to the Forum. These are usually called "Alphabet Lugers", which were produced after WW-1 (1919-1931). Pull down a copy of the FAQs (top menu). You will notice that these lugers have "strawed" small parts (trigger, takedown lever, safety lever, etc.) It's a unique feature I really like to see. When 5 digit commercial serial numbers got too high, DWM switched to the 4-digit serial numbers with a suffix around 1921. This one was probably delivered in 1922. It would have come with a wrapped metal magazine with an unmarked wood bottom.

11-01-2024, 03:08 PM	#5
JeffE New User Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 4 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I am still trying to get the magazine from the neighbor. He couldn't find it at the time he gave me the Luger.

11-01-2024, 03:09 PM	#6
JeffE New User Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 4 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you all for the help! I really appreciate it

11-01-2024, 04:21 PM	#8
PolishX User Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 23 Thanks: 24 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	Like Mac Cat said it's a great piece, really any luger in my opinion that isn't from that weird relaunch in the 70's is a great collector. Weimar era, Imperial, WW2 , commercial etc they are all special in their own way

11-02-2024, 09:11 AM	#9
velodog455~ User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 76 Thanks: 18 Thanked 58 Times in 35 Posts	FWIW, finding a replacement unmarked correct commercial magazine with a wood bottom that would be correct for your Luger is fairly easy, especially when compared to finding a military magazine with a serial number matching a specific Luger. Should that become necessary, that is. Depends on how motivated your neighbor is in his search. If you think that you would like to shoot the old girl then consider buying a Mec-Gar Luger/P.08 magazine as they usually work as well or better than a 100 year old mag. Cost is about $40 with tax and shipping, and are arguably the best aftermarket Luger mag you can buy. Gratuitous link provided: https://gunmagwarehouse.com/mec-gar-...-magazine.html If you want a correct commercial wood-bottom magazine it's probably a $150-$200 proposition. The Mec-Gar mag will usually arrive in 5 days or less. -Bob

Yesterday, 09:21 AM	#11
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 305 Thanks: 215 Thanked 434 Times in 171 Posts	I have a 70's Mauser in 7.65 6in Barrel - love to shoot. So lose the snobbery they are great guns. Did have a piece break but G.T. got replacement parts to me. Only thing I am not a fan of is the grip safety, I do have to adjust grip to fully depress so it will fire.