DWM Alphabet Commercial

guy sajer · 11-20-2004, 11:53 PM

I'm thinking of buying this pistol . Sorry I don't have the serial number handy . I do remember it has a 4 digit number with "k" suffix though . No chamber date . DWM toggle . c/n proof (no others found) . "GERMANY" stamped on front of frame near serial number and on wooden mag base . Last 2 digits of number stamped in std commercial locations . Bore is mint . Exterior is about 96% . Straw is excellent . ... Comes with vintage owners manual cover in German , text is English . Overall a beautiful pistol .

Years ago , my impression was that these were kind of snubbed by most collectors . Are they more popular now ? Any thoughts on value ?

Thanks !

Edward Tinker · 11-21-2004, 12:13 AM

Mitch, I am assumming you are saying it is a weimar era commercial sold in the US. Is it 7.65 or 9MM? I am not familar with the term 1920 DWM rework? I am used to 1920 Reichwehr marked guns, then the old 1923 commercial designation, which has slowly gone to the wayside I believe...

Value is what you want to pay, I am under the impression a 20's era commerical goes for less than most military versions...

Can you give us pictures and approx how much you are being offered and someone can give you a reasonable estimate...

Ed

guy sajer · 11-21-2004, 01:33 PM

Sorry for my model confusion . Yes , it is a Weimar Alphabet SN DWM commercial 7.65 cal . I see it listed on the table on p13 of my copy of "Weimar and Early Lugers" . I should have looked before posting . ... Looks pretty common .

This one is in beautiful shape . I can pick it up for $500 .

Edward Tinker · 11-21-2004, 02:03 PM

Not a bad price, I think that is a reasonable price. My feeling is, if it is in really nice shape, it'll go up in value a lot more than other guns...

Ed

Dwight Gruber · 11-21-2004, 03:18 PM

In my experience $500 is top-dollar for one of these guns (despite what dealers are trying to sell them for), and I expect their value to rise very slowly.

--Dwight

Edward Tinker · 11-21-2004, 06:41 PM

Dwight has a better eye for this type of model than me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I can see why people would buy nice models like this and part them out for a $100 or more profit...

Ed

guy sajer · 11-22-2004, 09:15 PM

Thanks for the feedback .

George Anderson · 11-23-2004, 09:33 AM

Mitch, you describe the pistol as being in very good condition. At 96% or better that pistol can bring $800 or more. If it were marked in English; SAFE and LOADED it would be worth an easy $1000. Hell if the manual is original it's worth over $100 and the mag could be worth twice that. Snatch it up or tell me where it is.

Also, if the manual is original and you buy it ask the dealer to contact the former owner, while you are there, and ask if he still has the box it came in. These things happen.

guy sajer · 11-23-2004, 09:56 AM

Thanks George . It is a strong 96% .

That's a good thought . I'll check on the box .
Unfortunately , it's not marked SAFE & LOADED .

I suspicioned that it might be worth a little more than $500 and I did buy it . I found the original manual quite interesting . I'll post some pics when time allows .

Have a good day .

Edward Tinker · 11-23-2004, 03:43 PM

Mitch, just finished "guy sajer's" book last night, very interesting read...

George Anderson · 11-23-2004, 03:50 PM

Mitch and Ed, the name sounded familiar. Was Sajer the Alsatian in the Grossdeutschland Division?

Edward Tinker · 11-23-2004, 08:36 PM

VERY GOOD GEO!!

Forgotten Soldier, by Guy Sajer

First time I have read the book, literally came across it at the book store in Denver. Very interesting read and to see the war from his perspective was great!

Ed

guy sajer · 11-24-2004, 12:12 AM

re: "The Forgotten Soldier"
I first read it about 15 yrs ago . Up until then , I couldn't remember ever reading a book that I "couldn't put down" . I have read it several times since . I don't read too many novels / biography's more than once .

Back to Lugers . I found the vintage English version manual interesting . Brown/dark tan cover . Entitled , The " PARABELLUM " Automatic Pistol DWM Berlin
The recommended lubricant was pure vaseline . Interesting .

11-20-2004, 11:53 PM	#1
guy sajer User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 66 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	DWM Alphabet Commercial I'm thinking of buying this pistol . Sorry I don't have the serial number handy . I do remember it has a 4 digit number with "k" suffix though . No chamber date . DWM toggle . c/n proof (no others found) . "GERMANY" stamped on front of frame near serial number and on wooden mag base . Last 2 digits of number stamped in std commercial locations . Bore is mint . Exterior is about 96% . Straw is excellent . ... Comes with vintage owners manual cover in German , text is English . Overall a beautiful pistol . Years ago , my impression was that these were kind of snubbed by most collectors . Are they more popular now ? Any thoughts on value ? Thanks ! __________________ Mitch

11-21-2004, 12:13 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Mitch, I am assumming you are saying it is a weimar era commercial sold in the US. Is it 7.65 or 9MM? I am not familar with the term 1920 DWM rework? I am used to 1920 Reichwehr marked guns, then the old 1923 commercial designation, which has slowly gone to the wayside I believe... Value is what you want to pay, I am under the impression a 20's era commerical goes for less than most military versions... Can you give us pictures and approx how much you are being offered and someone can give you a reasonable estimate... Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-21-2004, 01:33 PM	#3
guy sajer User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 66 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry for my model confusion . Yes , it is a Weimar Alphabet SN DWM commercial 7.65 cal . I see it listed on the table on p13 of my copy of "Weimar and Early Lugers" . I should have looked before posting . ... Looks pretty common . This one is in beautiful shape . I can pick it up for $500 . __________________ Mitch

11-21-2004, 02:03 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Not a bad price, I think that is a reasonable price. My feeling is, if it is in really nice shape, it'll go up in value a lot more than other guns... Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-21-2004, 06:41 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Dwight has a better eye for this type of model than me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> I can see why people would buy nice models like this and part them out for a $100 or more profit... Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-21-2004, 03:18 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,317 Times in 431 Posts	In my experience $500 is top-dollar for one of these guns (despite what dealers are trying to sell them for), and I expect their value to rise very slowly. --Dwight

11-22-2004, 09:15 PM	#7
guy sajer User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 66 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the feedback . __________________ Mitch

11-23-2004, 09:33 AM	#8
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	Mitch, you describe the pistol as being in very good condition. At 96% or better that pistol can bring $800 or more. If it were marked in English; SAFE and LOADED it would be worth an easy $1000. Hell if the manual is original it's worth over $100 and the mag could be worth twice that. Snatch it up or tell me where it is. Also, if the manual is original and you buy it ask the dealer to contact the former owner, while you are there, and ask if he still has the box it came in. These things happen.

11-23-2004, 09:56 AM	#9
guy sajer User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 66 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks George . It is a strong 96% . That's a good thought . I'll check on the box . Unfortunately , it's not marked SAFE & LOADED . I suspicioned that it might be worth a little more than $500 and I did buy it . I found the original manual quite interesting . I'll post some pics when time allows . Have a good day . __________________ Mitch

11-23-2004, 03:43 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Mitch, just finished "guy sajer's" book last night, very interesting read... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-23-2004, 03:50 PM	#11
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	Mitch and Ed, the name sounded familiar. Was Sajer the Alsatian in the Grossdeutschland Division?

11-23-2004, 08:36 PM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	VERY GOOD GEO!! Forgotten Soldier, by Guy Sajer First time I have read the book, literally came across it at the book store in Denver. Very interesting read and to see the war from his perspective was great! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-24-2004, 12:12 AM	#13
guy sajer User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 66 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	re: "The Forgotten Soldier" I first read it about 15 yrs ago . Up until then , I couldn't remember ever reading a book that I "couldn't put down" . I have read it several times since . I don't read too many novels / biography's more than once . Back to Lugers . I found the vintage English version manual interesting . Brown/dark tan cover . Entitled , The " PARABELLUM " Automatic Pistol DWM Berlin The recommended lubricant was pure vaseline . Interesting . __________________ Mitch