Serial number suffix

Weissen · 09-16-2002, 06:13 PM

Guys
What is the significance of the suffix letter that sometimes follows the serial number?
I have a 1916 DWM that has a lower case A or alpha stamped into the very front of the frame below the four digit seial number and also on the area of the barrel flange underneath the 8.82 bore size stamp.
I'm just curious.
Thanks
Ken

Herb · 09-16-2002, 06:28 PM

Ken, Lugers were numbered in lots of 10000. They then started over with the number 1 but added the a to indicate the second lot of 10000, then went on to b, c, up to z if the contract was that large. This suffix is a part of the serial number and it is important that it be included in any mention of the serial number.

Doubs · 09-16-2002, 10:41 PM

Ken, I'd like to add a little to Herb's fine answer. When documenting your pistol's serial number, be certain to annotate that it's a DWM, 1916, serial number xxxx a and barrel length. It's a safe bet that there are other year DWM and Erfurt Lugers out there somewhere with your serial number and suffix letter. If only the serial number and suffix letter are used, there could be half a dozen Lugers - or more - that match.

Weissen · 09-17-2002, 06:15 PM

Thanks guys
A goldmine of information as usual.
Cheers
Ken
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

09-16-2002, 06:13 PM	#1
Weissen User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South Australia Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Serial number suffix Guys What is the significance of the suffix letter that sometimes follows the serial number? I have a 1916 DWM that has a lower case A or alpha stamped into the very front of the frame below the four digit seial number and also on the area of the barrel flange underneath the 8.82 bore size stamp. I'm just curious. Thanks Ken

09-16-2002, 06:28 PM	#2
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ken, Lugers were numbered in lots of 10000. They then started over with the number 1 but added the a to indicate the second lot of 10000, then went on to b, c, up to z if the contract was that large. This suffix is a part of the serial number and it is important that it be included in any mention of the serial number. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

09-16-2002, 10:41 PM	#3
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 772 Thanked 1,617 Times in 526 Posts	Ken, I'd like to add a little to Herb's fine answer. When documenting your pistol's serial number, be certain to annotate that it's a DWM, 1916, serial number xxxx a and barrel length. It's a safe bet that there are other year DWM and Erfurt Lugers out there somewhere with your serial number and suffix letter. If only the serial number and suffix letter are used, there could be half a dozen Lugers - or more - that match.

09-17-2002, 06:15 PM	#4
Weissen User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South Australia Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys A goldmine of information as usual. Cheers Ken <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />