Where and how are WWI DWM grips numbered??

navajo jack · 01-02-2006, 04:34 PM

This is probably a dumb question, but, where and how are WWI DWM grips numbered. Can someone refer me to a site with pictures??? Thanks!!!
nj

rimfirerukus · 01-04-2006, 10:10 PM

I don't believe all grips were numbered. The ones that I have seen have the last two digits of the sereal number in the center of the inside of each grip. I am sure there is a picture posted some where. You might do a seach on an auction site and see if you might find something.

Edward Tinker · 01-04-2006, 10:32 PM

John, we failed to welcome you to the forum!

Grips were numbered some years, some they were not. since lugers were made by several manufacturers over 50 years, there are many variations.

I am almost positive that most DWM's were marked with the last two, but can not swear on that!

Ed

Vlim · 01-05-2006, 09:44 AM

Hi,

My 1913 DWM (1906 Dutch Contract, commercial style) has the full serial number on the inside of the grip.

Lugerdoc · 01-05-2006, 10:58 AM

Jack, As a rule of thumb, prior to the end of WW1 both military & commerical luger grips would have had the last 2 digit stamped inside each grip panel, Contract gun were done to the buyers specifications (eg M1908 Bulgarians -- no serial, Dutch contract == many will have the full 4 digits stamps from top to bottom). After WW1, most commercial and some military grips will be unnumbered, until Mauser took over in 1930 when most military grips were again numbered, per existing regulations. TH

Luke · 01-05-2006, 12:07 PM

Tom -

Your comments above are consistent with my observations with the exception that I have seem several 1908 DWM "First Military Issue" Lugers with grips that appear to be original and unnumbered.

Could the 1908 FMIs be an exception?

Luke

Lugerdoc · 01-06-2006, 08:48 AM

Luke, I can't say for sure, but the 1st issue DWM militaries were numbered in the commerical fashion, and the commerical grips were being numbered at that time. As I recall, the military placement of serials & proofs was implimented in 1910 or 1911 and did call specifically for numbered grips. TH

01-02-2006, 04:34 PM	#1
navajo jack New User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Where and how are WWI DWM grips numbered?? This is probably a dumb question, but, where and how are WWI DWM grips numbered. Can someone refer me to a site with pictures??? Thanks!!! nj

01-05-2006, 10:58 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Jack, As a rule of thumb, prior to the end of WW1 both military & commerical luger grips would have had the last 2 digit stamped inside each grip panel, Contract gun were done to the buyers specifications (eg M1908 Bulgarians -- no serial, Dutch contract == many will have the full 4 digits stamps from top to bottom). After WW1, most commercial and some military grips will be unnumbered, until Mauser took over in 1930 when most military grips were again numbered, per existing regulations. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-05-2006, 12:07 PM	#6
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Tom - Your comments above are consistent with my observations with the exception that I have seem several 1908 DWM "First Military Issue" Lugers with grips that appear to be original and unnumbered. Could the 1908 FMIs be an exception? Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

01-06-2006, 08:48 AM	#7
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Luke, I can't say for sure, but the 1st issue DWM militaries were numbered in the commerical fashion, and the commerical grips were being numbered at that time. As I recall, the military placement of serials & proofs was implimented in 1910 or 1911 and did call specifically for numbered grips. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-04-2006, 10:10 PM	#2
rimfirerukus New User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't believe all grips were numbered. The ones that I have seen have the last two digits of the sereal number in the center of the inside of each grip. I am sure there is a picture posted some where. You might do a seach on an auction site and see if you might find something.

01-04-2006, 10:32 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	John, we failed to welcome you to the forum! Grips were numbered some years, some they were not. since lugers were made by several manufacturers over 50 years, there are many variations. I am almost positive that most DWM's were marked with the last two, but can not swear on that! Ed

01-05-2006, 09:44 AM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,987 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi, My 1913 DWM (1906 Dutch Contract, commercial style) has the full serial number on the inside of the grip.