Need an informed opinion

05-29-2001, 11:13 PM

I just got my 1918 DWM out of the safe for inspection and cleaning. Now let me hasten to add this is a import that I got back in 1998. I was very pleased with it because it was 95% matching (of course I now know that's like being a little bit pregnant) and in Good condition.

But I just noticed that it has a S/42 barrel with the 8,82 under the "correct" serial number (die set seems to match the others) plus the "droop eagle 63" and a "spread eagle" acceptance stamps. AND the 9MM barrel is 3.194" long!

Now the conclusion is it was rebarreled but the alignment marks betwen the barrel and reciever show no signs of being remarked. Plus the serial number matches the frame, in content as well as style. Did Mauser build this from parts left over from 1918, in the late 30's????

Could some of you more knowledgeable Lugerists care to comment on this strange collection of parts?

Thanks,

BobL

05-29-2001, 11:47 PM

BobL, Sounds like a Third Reich era rework of a WWI Luger. This variation is documented in Jan Still's Book on Axis Pistols. The Barrel should measure about 4 inches (insert a dowell into the bore and measure length) and the 8.82 is the metric bore land/grove diamater. This is an interesting and scarce variation that is un-fortuniatly overlooked and often dismissed by many collectors. Barrel replacement with the S/42 marked barrel is a sure (almost) sign of this re-work type. Nice piece

HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr · 05-30-2001, 03:56 PM

Hi Bob

Where does your gun come from?

Here in Sweden was lugers extremely popular targetguns during the 50-60th and as a result many smiths rebarreld many guns.

Mostly guns I have seen rebarreld had finnish Tikkakoski or Sako barrels , but I sure belive originalbarrels have been used as well.

Regards HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr

http://www.vapensmedjan.com

John Sabato · 05-30-2001, 04:31 PM

I see this is only the second time you have posted here, but it is the first time I have seen your name.

You have a very interesting web site at

http://www.vapensmedjan.com

I really liked the photographs of your Luger modifications.

I hope you visit often... Please tell us when did you become interested in Lugers? and what are the gun laws like for private ownership in Sweden?

regards,

John Sabato

Dok · 05-30-2001, 06:02 PM

G.T. · 05-30-2001, 07:47 PM

Welcome Hakan! I posted on some of your 7.65 x 19 troubles above, I do not have any answers, but thought some questions on the subject would be of interest, as I suspect some of us will try this conversion, do you still work with this conversion or is it shelved for you at this time...hopefully you have continued to experiment! We are waiting for future reports from Esko as to how his conversion is working! At any rate, welcome to the forum as we are happy to have another overseas presence on the forum! till...later...G.T.

05-30-2001, 10:42 PM

HÃ?Â¥kan, I'm not sure I understand. It was an import into the U.S.A. by Century Arms. If your asking where they got it, I don't think I know this. Unless there are markings on the gun somewhere that you can tell me to look for.

BobL

HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr · 05-30-2001, 10:44 PM

Hi

Thanks all for the nice velcome.

I have quit all experimentation around the 7,65x19 and I have really given it up, maybe it works good in standard weight luger barrels but it aint in our heavy ones.

Another important factor might be that the DWM forks are considerably softer than the mausers are and therefor we are mostly using mausers today for our conversions.

Regards HÃ?Â¥kan

http://www.vapensmedjan.com

HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr · 05-30-2001, 10:46 PM

It was not so much a question as informatation that it's not sure that you gun is a fatory rebuilt gun.

It might very well be made of shooters or gunsmiths.

Regards HÃ?Â¥kan

http://www.vapensmedjan.com

05-30-2001, 11:02 PM

HÃ?Â¥kan, thanks for the response. I don't think it was rebarreled other than at the factory because the serial number matches (and is the only one on the barrel) plus the dies used match those on the frame. And the alignment mark between the reciever and barrel show no signs of being altered. Of course I'm no expert, so anything may be possible. I just enjoy having and shooting a Luger!!!

Thanks again.

BobL

PS Welcome to the Forum, hope to hear from you often.

05-29-2001, 11:13 PM	#1
BobL Guest Posts: n/a	Need an informed opinion I just got my 1918 DWM out of the safe for inspection and cleaning. Now let me hasten to add this is a import that I got back in 1998. I was very pleased with it because it was 95% matching (of course I now know that's like being a little bit pregnant) and in Good condition. But I just noticed that it has a S/42 barrel with the 8,82 under the "correct" serial number (die set seems to match the others) plus the "droop eagle 63" and a "spread eagle" acceptance stamps. AND the 9MM barrel is 3.194" long! Now the conclusion is it was rebarreled but the alignment marks betwen the barrel and reciever show no signs of being remarked. Plus the serial number matches the frame, in content as well as style. Did Mauser build this from parts left over from 1918, in the late 30's???? Could some of you more knowledgeable Lugerists care to comment on this strange collection of parts? Thanks, BobL

05-29-2001, 11:47 PM	#2
BCC Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Need an informed opinion BobL, Sounds like a Third Reich era rework of a WWI Luger. This variation is documented in Jan Still's Book on Axis Pistols. The Barrel should measure about 4 inches (insert a dowell into the bore and measure length) and the 8.82 is the metric bore land/grove diamater. This is an interesting and scarce variation that is un-fortuniatly overlooked and often dismissed by many collectors. Barrel replacement with the S/42 marked barrel is a sure (almost) sign of this re-work type. Nice piece

05-30-2001, 03:56 PM	#3
HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 282 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need an informed opinion Hi Bob Where does your gun come from? Here in Sweden was lugers extremely popular targetguns during the 50-60th and as a result many smiths rebarreld many guns. Mostly guns I have seen rebarreld had finnish Tikkakoski or Sako barrels , but I sure belive originalbarrels have been used as well. Regards HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr http://www.vapensmedjan.com

05-30-2001, 04:31 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Welcome HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr from Sweden to the Luger Forum! I see this is only the second time you have posted here, but it is the first time I have seen your name. You have a very interesting web site at http://www.vapensmedjan.com I really liked the photographs of your Luger modifications. I hope you visit often... Please tell us when did you become interested in Lugers? and what are the gun laws like for private ownership in Sweden? regards, John Sabato

05-30-2001, 06:02 PM	#5
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Welcome HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr... Excellent site! (EOM)

05-30-2001, 07:47 PM	#6
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,523 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,707 Times in 1,012 Posts	Re: Welcome HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr Welcome Hakan! I posted on some of your 7.65 x 19 troubles above, I do not have any answers, but thought some questions on the subject would be of interest, as I suspect some of us will try this conversion, do you still work with this conversion or is it shelved for you at this time...hopefully you have continued to experiment! We are waiting for future reports from Esko as to how his conversion is working! At any rate, welcome to the forum as we are happy to have another overseas presence on the forum! till...later...G.T.

05-30-2001, 10:42 PM	#7
BobL Guest Posts: n/a	Import origin HÃ?Â¥kan, I'm not sure I understand. It was an import into the U.S.A. by Century Arms. If your asking where they got it, I don't think I know this. Unless there are markings on the gun somewhere that you can tell me to look for. BobL

05-30-2001, 10:44 PM	#8
HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 282 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Welcome HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr Hi Thanks all for the nice velcome. I have quit all experimentation around the 7,65x19 and I have really given it up, maybe it works good in standard weight luger barrels but it aint in our heavy ones. Another important factor might be that the DWM forks are considerably softer than the mausers are and therefor we are mostly using mausers today for our conversions. Regards HÃ?Â¥kan http://www.vapensmedjan.com

05-30-2001, 10:46 PM	#9
HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 282 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Import origin It was not so much a question as informatation that it's not sure that you gun is a fatory rebuilt gun. It might very well be made of shooters or gunsmiths. Regards HÃ?Â¥kan http://www.vapensmedjan.com

05-30-2001, 11:02 PM	#10
BobL Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Import origin HÃ?Â¥kan, thanks for the response. I don't think it was rebarreled other than at the factory because the serial number matches (and is the only one on the barrel) plus the dies used match those on the frame. And the alignment mark between the reciever and barrel show no signs of being altered. Of course I'm no expert, so anything may be possible. I just enjoy having and shooting a Luger!!! Thanks again. BobL PS Welcome to the Forum, hope to hear from you often.