1921 Military DWM Luger ID

Silver347 · 04-30-2018, 05:13 PM

Hello, I'm a long time Luger admirer.

I have stumbled across this dude and I need help identifying it's history.

Can someone explain to me what these markings are? I'm sure its seen an arsenal for re-do but I don't know what these markings denote.

The pistol appears to be all matchings on the external surfaces including the magazine! I was unable to tear down for internal inspection.

Many Thanks,

Henry

Edward Tinker · 04-30-2018, 05:19 PM

Sure, but make sure you look at the FAQ in the new collector area for some terms I will use.

Welcome to the forum!

Bottom picture first, those are Weimar acceptance 'dove' and eagle proof marks (left to right)
the 8,82 or the like is land to land measurement of the barrel grooves (means 9mm luger)
the marking underneath the serial number is a suffix and is part of the serial number, while the 'K"xx.xx is a weimar unit marking that you almost never see in that location. My mind is blank, before official rules on marking.. uhhhh, somebody will call it

Serial number with matching magazine, unusual, not rare but nice.
Serial number on barrel with suffix, and then last two should be on firing pin, trigger, other parts.

Looks original to me, not a rearsenal? Any import markings on the barrel I can't see?

Silver347 · 04-30-2018, 05:23 PM

No, import markings, the suffix had me baffled in its location

Do you have an opinion on a fair value for this pistol,

Here are my fast notes from my encounter:

Bore is frosty, 80% blue on gun and 80% straw remaining on small parts, slight signs of use and high edge wear. Scattered pitting, freckling and surface rust. Stock checkering is sharp, left stock has white circle from mold. Pistol was stored in this holster and likely was not wiped before placement and storage.

DonVoigt · 04-30-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver347

No, import markings, the suffix had me baffled in its location

Do you have an opinion on a fair value for this pistol,

Here are my fast notes from my encounter:

Bore is frosty, 80% blue on gun and 80% straw remaining on small parts, slight signs of use and high edge wear. Scattered pitting, freckling and surface rust. Stock checkering is sharp, left stock has white circle from mold. Pistol was stored in this holster and likely was not wiped before placement and storage.

Better to tell us the asking price; their is no "fair value" for a luger- way too many variables. JMHO.

Silver347 · 04-30-2018, 08:16 PM

Hello,

There is no asking price, just trying to get an opinion for what a fair price between two people with the facts known is all.

I'm looking at recent auctions as well, figured a forum is another good data point.

Thanks!

HerrKaiser · 04-30-2018, 08:36 PM

Based on gun condition and presence of a matching magazine, I would guess market value of this to be somewheres between $1500-$2000

Edward Tinker · 04-30-2018, 09:06 PM

your pictures don't match your description

from your description I would say $3-500 less

abukafura · 05-01-2018, 08:56 AM

I agree with Ed on the value of this Luger. I think for a commercial gun and in this condition, we are looking at closer to the $1500 range than the $2000 price.

Dwight Gruber · 05-01-2018, 11:06 AM

Not a commercial pistol. Part of the short-lived 1920 army contract.

--Dwight

Don M · 05-01-2018, 12:58 PM

The K.46. is probably a provisional Reichswehr unit making.

Silver347 · 05-01-2018, 04:54 PM

Thanks for the help gentleman, I have the Rankin books for WWII era German pistols, what's the best set for pre-WWII Lugers and the like?

Thanks!

Henry

04-30-2018, 05:13 PM	#1
Silver347 User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	1921 Military DWM Luger ID Hello, I'm a long time Luger admirer. I have stumbled across this dude and I need help identifying it's history. Can someone explain to me what these markings are? I'm sure its seen an arsenal for re-do but I don't know what these markings denote. The pistol appears to be all matchings on the external surfaces including the magazine! I was unable to tear down for internal inspection. Many Thanks, Henry Attached Thumbnails

04-30-2018, 05:19 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Sure, but make sure you look at the FAQ in the new collector area for some terms I will use. Welcome to the forum! Bottom picture first, those are Weimar acceptance 'dove' and eagle proof marks (left to right) the 8,82 or the like is land to land measurement of the barrel grooves (means 9mm luger) the marking underneath the serial number is a suffix and is part of the serial number, while the 'K"xx.xx is a weimar unit marking that you almost never see in that location. My mind is blank, before official rules on marking.. uhhhh, somebody will call it Serial number with matching magazine, unusual, not rare but nice. Serial number on barrel with suffix, and then last two should be on firing pin, trigger, other parts. Looks original to me, not a rearsenal? Any import markings on the barrel I can't see? __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

04-30-2018, 08:36 PM	#6
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 804 Thanks: 752 Thanked 798 Times in 378 Posts	Based on gun condition and presence of a matching magazine, I would guess market value of this to be somewheres between $1500-$2000 __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

05-01-2018, 12:58 PM	#10
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	The K.46. is probably a provisional Reichswehr unit making. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

04-30-2018, 05:23 PM	#3
Silver347 User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	No, import markings, the suffix had me baffled in its location Do you have an opinion on a fair value for this pistol, Here are my fast notes from my encounter: Bore is frosty, 80% blue on gun and 80% straw remaining on small parts, slight signs of use and high edge wear. Scattered pitting, freckling and surface rust. Stock checkering is sharp, left stock has white circle from mold. Pistol was stored in this holster and likely was not wiped before placement and storage.

04-30-2018, 08:16 PM	#5
Silver347 User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Hello, There is no asking price, just trying to get an opinion for what a fair price between two people with the facts known is all. I'm looking at recent auctions as well, figured a forum is another good data point. Thanks!

04-30-2018, 09:06 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	your pictures don't match your description from your description I would say $3-500 less

05-01-2018, 08:56 AM	#8
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 89 Times in 57 Posts	I agree with Ed on the value of this Luger. I think for a commercial gun and in this condition, we are looking at closer to the $1500 range than the $2000 price.

05-01-2018, 11:06 AM	#9
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Not a commercial pistol. Part of the short-lived 1920 army contract. --Dwight

05-01-2018, 04:54 PM	#11
Silver347 User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the help gentleman, I have the Rankin books for WWII era German pistols, what's the best set for pre-WWII Lugers and the like? Thanks! Henry