help to identify 1918 1920 9mm DWM double stamp

[padredan]

i hope i have this in the right thread, if not let me know , trying to identify another luger i acquied, it is a double dated 1918 1920 chamber stamp,DWM,9mm, pistol is in very good condition and shoots well, very nice bore and everything matchs, serial number 3881 not sure of the alpha letter, maybe you can make it out in the picture, left side infront of the serial number circle S,right side six proof marks, barrel has serial number with 42 over 882, i am sure it has been replaced, any help identfying it would be helpfull

[padredan]

few more pics, thank for your help

[padredan]

proof marks

[DavidJayUden]

"Get off my lawn..."

[mrerick]

Hi Dan,

You've got an interesting Luger. It was made during WW-I, was "1920" property marked by the Weimar government and then was reworked sometime after 1938, probably at Mauser.

There is speculation, but no proof, that the circle S stamp was added during rework for police use at Simson and Company, Suhl during the Weimar period.

When you use flash, it causes the metal to reflect the light and washes out the photo details. I can't read the proof marks. If you could re-photograph the pistol in indirect (shaded outdoor) light, they will be more helpful.

The "42" on the barrel is a concealment code that was issued to Mauser replacing S/42 in 1938.

The Crown over letter proofs are from the pistol's original manufacture, ending with the Imperial eagle. The Waffenamt inspection mark to their left was applied during the arsenal rework. I can't make out what is to the right of the eagle.

8,82 is the barrel gauge, measured in millimeters between the lands (and representing a 9mm barrel).

I believe that your serial number is 3881b.

As an arsenal reworked Luger representing the first three of the major German eras in the 20th century, it's a rather interesting pistol from a history standpoint. It looks to be in very good condition, and would be collectable in my opinion.

Marc

[padredan]

thanks marc, i hope these pictures turn out better, it shoots well and fuctions just as good. upon field stripping all parts are matching and numberd correctly, any idea on pricing for it, again thanks

[alanint]

Just to clear up Marc's typo, the gun was made in WW1, not 2.

The notch at the front of the receiver above the dates is a good indication that your gun was once an artillery model.

[padredan]

thanks, i knew he ment world war one, so i could have owned an artillery mode/lol. oh well, just adds to more luger mstque.

[Dwight Gruber]

Dan,

Very interesting Luger. The circle-S was stamped by and for reasons unknown, on pistols sometime between 1918-1922. There is no known Simson connection. The straight-wing eagle to the left of the proof marks may be the mark of a Heers Zeugamt where the pistol was repaired or rebuilt. It is uncharacterisic that there is no police sear safety on this Luger.

Is there a number stamped on the rear of the frame, or on the front grip strap?

I would appreciae it if you would email me about this pistol dwightg@clear.net

--Dwight

[padredan]

Ty, Dwight, it has no number on either the front or rear of the frame my email is dthomacycle@hotmail.com

[padredan]

what does concealment code mean, as in the barrel has 42 stamped on it? thanks

[alanint]

As the Germans were prohibited from producing more than a certain number of firearms for the military after their defeat in WW1, they turned to codes to identify local manufacturers in an attempt to conceal where the guns were being made, a practice which would not have fooled anybody who really cared for long.
Some of the typical codes seen;
BYF, S/42, 42 = Mauser
AC = Walther
CYQ = Spreewerk
AYF = Steyer
FXO = Haenel

There are perhaps over 100 more and tables exist to identify most of them.

[padredan]

a bit off topic, but some may find these pictures of the real warriors who fought the wars and may have brought some of these weapons home. they are now residents of N.E.L.A war vetrans home ,monroe la. the stories they tell are of courage and honor and service. I feel honored to know them and the stories they have shared with me. true heros. one a note, the man i am standing next to , is wilber platt, served in pattons armor div, in north africa as a turent .30 caliber machine gunner, in north africa ,sicely and france where he was severaly wounded, recieving ,three bronze stars, a purple heart and the afirica campain medal, before pasing on he once told me" ervin romell was smart, george s patton was smart and crazy at the same time" the man staring seated in the wheel chair, is sgt ronald bruce, winner of the silver star,and two purple hearts, he has never talked much, but he told me he has never regreted serving. If you know any veterans like these men,PLEASE take the time to thank them for their service, most just want someone to talk to. thanks to each of you for allowing me to share this with you , Padre

[mrerick]

Dan, Valuation would be difficult for me to estimate. It has unique features and would appeal differently to different collectors.

For the right interested motivated collector, it would be worth more than what the average Luger collector (whom usually prefers factory original state) would pay. But, the arsenal rework, and the spread of activity over those eventful years all have appeal to those interested in history.

If you are insuring it, consider a value around $1500. This would be high retail unless I missed something special about your Luger. I think that it would be difficult to replace, in any case.

Marc

[padredan]

Marc, i fully understand, and condition is everything. The two lugers i recently acuired i thought were shooters, and i have fired them both. Thanks to the kindness of the forum members, i now know alot about both pistols. As a chaplain working with our older veterans and being a former armor i am asked alot of times to remove or check the firearms of the veterans. sometimes they do not want or are not interested in keeping the firearms in the family. I try to evaluate them to let them know the values and i purchase some of interest to myself. Only a few times have i been lucky enough to actualy find out the story of a firearm directly from the veteran themselfs ,as most are deceased at the time of the purchase. the case of these two lugers is the same , i know nothing accept they were owned by a veteran serving in the european theater. again thanks to each of you for your help.

[alanint]

Thanks for your work with veterans, Dan!!

[Thor]

One item I might mention, unless the Luger has a sear safety, the top section CAN FIRE without the frame attached, so an item to mention for safety during disassembly, cleaning, etc.

[padredan]

Thor a BIG thank you for that. Not that i would disasemble a loaded gun. Again ty

[padredan]

is it safe to carry loaded and one in the chamber? I have fired it ,as i shoot on rural property and not at a range, i do walk around looking for targets with it loaded and safety on.

[alanint]

Carrying Lugers with a loaded chamber has been discussed on many occasions here on the site. While I don't advocate it personally, (I find too much play in the sear blocking mechanism for my taste), others are perfectly comfortable doing it.
Look at it this way; Are you going to be able to make it to a hospital from that rural site before bleeding out from a gunshot wound?