Decent .30 Commercial Spotted...

Doubs · 09-06-2003, 01:30 PM

Following WW1, commercial production serial numbers picked up where they had left off prior to the war.... approximately 75,000 (IIRC). The change-over from commercial numbers to the 4-digit "Alphabet" Lugers took place at approximately 92,000. The "i" suffix places production at the 90,000 point if the alphabet is followed. Until then, commercial production used five digits and no suffix letter.

If, as Pete reports, the pistol is a "1920" 4-digit commercial, it will (or should) have a suffix letter. The description he gives is consistent with the "Alphabet" Lugers, including the standing C/N commercial proof and the commercial-style serial number placement.

This information is all covered very well in Jan Still's book "Weimar Lugers".

09-06-2003, 01:30 PM	#6
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,786 Times in 590 Posts	Following WW1, commercial production serial numbers picked up where they had left off prior to the war.... approximately 75,000 (IIRC). The change-over from commercial numbers to the 4-digit "Alphabet" Lugers took place at approximately 92,000. The "i" suffix places production at the 90,000 point if the alphabet is followed. Until then, commercial production used five digits and no suffix letter. If, as Pete reports, the pistol is a "1920" 4-digit commercial, it will (or should) have a suffix letter. The description he gives is consistent with the "Alphabet" Lugers, including the standing C/N commercial proof and the commercial-style serial number placement. This information is all covered very well in Jan Still's book "Weimar Lugers".