New Luger owner

stg44fan · 04-20-2017, 01:00 PM

Hey folks,

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I've never been a Luger person but like a lot of people a family member passed and I ended up with one. My main pistol interests are with 1911A1's and P38's. But they are growing on me and I find myself browsing Lugers on Gunbroker!

I'll post pics soon and see what you guys think. It is a bit of a mystery to me as I can not find solid info on it. Might be one of those "sneak" pistols you people talk about.

Thanks,
Eric

DavidJayUden · 04-20-2017, 01:30 PM

We'd love to see it. Post away! And welcome aboard.
dju

rhuff · 04-20-2017, 01:31 PM

Eric,

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to your pictures, and feel sure that this forum can supply you with a lot of info on your Luger.

stg44fan · 04-20-2017, 02:58 PM

Alright guys. Check it out. Full rig. L.P.288 on front strap and back of holster. 288 also appears on the bottom of both magazines and take down tool. One mag is marked 1 and the other is marked 2. Waffenamt on right side is WaA66. No manufacture mark on toggle and no markings on chamber. N proof on left side of frame and under the barrel. SN is 6740 with a small "t" under sn on frame and barrel. Every part that has 40 stamped on it. SN is on the back of the grip plates too. Back of holster has Schambach & Co Berlin 1929, with a small sunburst under the year.

Here is what I have uncovered so far. Having a T in the sn with no manufacturer makes it a "sneak" from the late 20's or early 30's. L.P. is a Prussian Police mark for the air survaillence unit at Pommern. So I'm thinking this is the 288th full set up issued in 1929 or 1930. Your thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated.

DavidJayUden · 04-20-2017, 04:05 PM

Be patient. We are summoning the "big guns" on this one...
dju

Don M · 04-20-2017, 04:14 PM

Fantastic complete rig. However, it belonged to the Landjägerei (rural constablulary) of the Prussian administrative district of Potsdam. It was issued to them in 1929. The pistol was one of those originally manufactured for the Rif revolutionaries in Morocco but never delivered because of political concerns. An outstanding acquisition.

stg44fan · 04-20-2017, 04:14 PM

Thanks David!

The info I have so far is mainly speculation. I've seen one other like this and the owner has about the same amount of info I do. I really want to pinpoint the maker and year of this little fella. I thought it was WWII at first but now I know better.

cirelaw · 04-20-2017, 04:23 PM

Perfect matching police rig~

4 Scale · 04-20-2017, 05:20 PM

From what I can see in the photos your pistol is in very good condition. That it is also such a relatively scare variant makes the luck here extraordinary.

I would think DWM the manufacturer, but I am not familiar with this variant. I hope experienced collectors will comment on manufacturer, and why the manufacturer is not marked on the toggle as it normally is.

More pictures would be welcome, closer and of the right side of the pistol especially. Personally I also always enjoy seeing the markings on the inside of the grips but care must be used in removing them to prevent chipping.

Sky Zero · 04-20-2017, 05:23 PM

Take it out in some better light, maybe natural and in the shade, and snap some photos at all angles

stg44fan · 04-20-2017, 06:26 PM

Thanks guys. especially Don. That info is a big help.

I would assume the maker is DWM but then again I have been wrong about this pistol at every turn. I have a lot of respect for you Luger collectors. Some of these things are difficult to identify. P38's, 1911A1's, those are easy compared to a Luger.

Glad you guys like it. Keep any and all info or comments coming. I will gladly post any Luger pics you request.

stg44fan · 04-20-2017, 06:34 PM

Here you go 4 Scale

sheepherder · 04-20-2017, 07:12 PM

Hmm, somewhat odd - It looks to be cut for the magazine safety (as well as having the Schiwy sear safety) but there's no hole behind the trigger...

But the grip has the cut for it...The hole's just not there...

DonVoigt · 04-20-2017, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Hmm, somewhat odd - It looks to be cut for the magazine safety (as well as having the Schiwy sear safety) but there's no hole behind the trigger...

The hole is higher up, under the side plate.

Yes, it was made by DWM, and re-worked/modified/enhanced by the German police when in their "custody".

This included adding the sear and magazine safeties in about 1932, likely grooving the firing pin, and numbering the rear toggle axle. The Mag safety was removed about 1935-6.

sheepherder · 04-20-2017, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

The hole is higher up, under the side plate...

Ah!

Too bad the safety itself is missing. It would be worth sniffing one out...

stg44fan · 04-20-2017, 08:22 PM

There is a hole under the side plate. Good work gentlemen.

Now do I try to find a magazine safety or enjoy it as is?

sheepherder · 04-20-2017, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stg44fan

There is a hole under the side plate. Good work gentlemen.

Now do I try to find a magazine safety or enjoy it as is?

I would look for the magazine safety but only install it for display.

I routinely remove magazine safeties on all my pistols. But the police Lugers [some of them] had that modification and it is part of that particular variations characteristics. And the magazine safety is not easy to find (the piece itself). Many were just cut/ground in half and the stub left in place; other Lugers had the slot welded closed and refinished.

A complete police Luger with both intact safeties is seldom encountered, or at least that is the impression I get from previous posts here.

I have probably bought my last Luger (thanks to Cuomo) but if I could find a decent RC/VoPo refurbished police Luger with both safeties intact I would be sorely tempted...especially if it was for a 'shooter' price...

Pistol · 04-21-2017, 11:40 AM

Is all four numbers stamped on the grips typical for police lugers?

Don M · 04-21-2017, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

.... if I could find a decent RC/VoPo refurbished police Luger with both safeties intact I would be sorely tempted...especially if it was for a 'shooter' price...

Highly unlikely. All of the Lugers I have observed in this category also have the sear safety removed.

Don M · 04-21-2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stg44fan

Now do I try to find a magazine safety or enjoy it as is?

Enjoy it as is. You have a very rare complete Landjägerei rig that is all original and in the condition it was in in service from 1937. Adding a mag safety would be a post-war alteration.

04-20-2017, 01:00 PM	#1
stg44fan User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Portland OR Posts: 81 Thanks: 42 Thanked 49 Times in 27 Posts	New Luger owner Hey folks, Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I've never been a Luger person but like a lot of people a family member passed and I ended up with one. My main pistol interests are with 1911A1's and P38's. But they are growing on me and I find myself browsing Lugers on Gunbroker! I'll post pics soon and see what you guys think. It is a bit of a mystery to me as I can not find solid info on it. Might be one of those "sneak" pistols you people talk about. Thanks, Eric

04-20-2017, 02:58 PM	#4
stg44fan User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Portland OR Posts: 81 Thanks: 42 Thanked 49 Times in 27 Posts	Alright guys. Check it out. Full rig. L.P.288 on front strap and back of holster. 288 also appears on the bottom of both magazines and take down tool. One mag is marked 1 and the other is marked 2. Waffenamt on right side is WaA66. No manufacture mark on toggle and no markings on chamber. N proof on left side of frame and under the barrel. SN is 6740 with a small "t" under sn on frame and barrel. Every part that has 40 stamped on it. SN is on the back of the grip plates too. Back of holster has Schambach & Co Berlin 1929, with a small sunburst under the year. Here is what I have uncovered so far. Having a T in the sn with no manufacturer makes it a "sneak" from the late 20's or early 30's. L.P. is a Prussian Police mark for the air survaillence unit at Pommern. So I'm thinking this is the 288th full set up issued in 1929 or 1930. Your thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated. Attached Thumbnails

04-20-2017, 04:14 PM	#6
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Fantastic complete rig. However, it belonged to the Landjägerei (rural constablulary) of the Prussian administrative district of Potsdam. It was issued to them in 1929. The pistol was one of those originally manufactured for the Rif revolutionaries in Morocco but never delivered because of political concerns. An outstanding acquisition. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

04-20-2017, 06:26 PM	#11
stg44fan User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Portland OR Posts: 81 Thanks: 42 Thanked 49 Times in 27 Posts	Thanks guys. especially Don. That info is a big help. I would assume the maker is DWM but then again I have been wrong about this pistol at every turn. I have a lot of respect for you Luger collectors. Some of these things are difficult to identify. P38's, 1911A1's, those are easy compared to a Luger. Glad you guys like it. Keep any and all info or comments coming. I will gladly post any Luger pics you request. Attached Thumbnails

04-20-2017, 06:34 PM	#12
stg44fan User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Portland OR Posts: 81 Thanks: 42 Thanked 49 Times in 27 Posts	Here you go 4 Scale Attached Thumbnails

04-20-2017, 01:30 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	We'd love to see it. Post away! And welcome aboard. dju

04-20-2017, 01:31 PM	#3
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	Eric, Welcome to the forum. I look forward to your pictures, and feel sure that this forum can supply you with a lot of info on your Luger.

04-20-2017, 04:05 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Be patient. We are summoning the "big guns" on this one... dju

04-20-2017, 04:23 PM	#8
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Perfect matching police rig~

04-20-2017, 05:20 PM	#9
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	From what I can see in the photos your pistol is in very good condition. That it is also such a relatively scare variant makes the luck here extraordinary. I would think DWM the manufacturer, but I am not familiar with this variant. I hope experienced collectors will comment on manufacturer, and why the manufacturer is not marked on the toggle as it normally is. More pictures would be welcome, closer and of the right side of the pistol especially. Personally I also always enjoy seeing the markings on the inside of the grips but care must be used in removing them to prevent chipping.

04-20-2017, 05:23 PM	#10
Sky Zero User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 308 Thanks: 134 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Take it out in some better light, maybe natural and in the shade, and snap some photos at all angles

04-20-2017, 07:12 PM	#13
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Hmm, somewhat odd - It looks to be cut for the magazine safety (as well as having the Schiwy sear safety) but there's no hole behind the trigger... But the grip has the cut for it...The hole's just not there... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

04-20-2017, 08:22 PM	#16
stg44fan User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Portland OR Posts: 81 Thanks: 42 Thanked 49 Times in 27 Posts	There is a hole under the side plate. Good work gentlemen. Now do I try to find a magazine safety or enjoy it as is?

04-21-2017, 11:40 AM	#18
Pistol User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 421 Thanks: 430 Thanked 214 Times in 95 Posts	Is all four numbers stamped on the grips typical for police lugers?