1918 Navy Luger In AutoMag...

Big Norm · 05-12-2003, 02:34 PM

Pete,
the article is in the April, 2003 magazine page 2. Thanks.

For the benefit of those on the forum who do not get the AutoMag I will give a summery of the article.

After a brief discussion about showing the 1918 navy Luger to Derek Seltzer, both agreed that there was nothing wrong with the gun. It was decided to take the gun to the SOS show in Kentucky so that others could examine the Luger. Everyone there could not see anything wrong with the gun.

A brief description of the gun was then made.
"Although it could still be classified as controversial the agreed findings are as follows: The gun was manufactured in 1918 as a navy, but was not completely assembled due to the abrupt ending of the war. In 1920 the gun was pulled out of storage and was finished being assembled for the commercial market, hence the circle N proof and the original 6 inch barrel. It is serial numbered in the commercial style. The guns serial number is 1262 and is chambered for 9 m/m. It has a concentric ringed navy mag numbered 1257."

I see nothing wrong with Mr Leo Lavallee writing and his logic. This is not, in the true sense, a military issue navy Luger because there are no navy military proof marks on the gun. The gun was assembled during the Weimar Era with commercial markings and placement and only the chamber date designates it as a 1918 Luger. I can only assume that it has the Model 1914 short frame.

Keep in mind though that Lugers of the Weimar Era were notorious for cannibalizing parts from other Lugers for eventual sales on the commercial market.So the search for a navy issued, 1918 P-04 continues.
Big Norm

05-12-2003, 02:34 PM	#6
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Pete, the article is in the April, 2003 magazine page 2. Thanks. For the benefit of those on the forum who do not get the AutoMag I will give a summery of the article. After a brief discussion about showing the 1918 navy Luger to Derek Seltzer, both agreed that there was nothing wrong with the gun. It was decided to take the gun to the SOS show in Kentucky so that others could examine the Luger. Everyone there could not see anything wrong with the gun. A brief description of the gun was then made. "Although it could still be classified as controversial the agreed findings are as follows: The gun was manufactured in 1918 as a navy, but was not completely assembled due to the abrupt ending of the war. In 1920 the gun was pulled out of storage and was finished being assembled for the commercial market, hence the circle N proof and the original 6 inch barrel. It is serial numbered in the commercial style. The guns serial number is 1262 and is chambered for 9 m/m. It has a concentric ringed navy mag numbered 1257." I see nothing wrong with Mr Leo Lavallee writing and his logic. This is not, in the true sense, a military issue navy Luger because there are no navy military proof marks on the gun. The gun was assembled during the Weimar Era with commercial markings and placement and only the chamber date designates it as a 1918 Luger. I can only assume that it has the Model 1914 short frame. Keep in mind though that Lugers of the Weimar Era were notorious for cannibalizing parts from other Lugers for eventual sales on the commercial market.So the search for a navy issued, 1918 P-04 continues. Big Norm