1913 frame w/ rare unit marking

Edward Tinker · 09-13-2007, 07:26 PM

I bought this from a guy this last week; received it and was surprised to find it was unit marked, while the rear of the frame has a GI's (??) name?

serial number is 3247a and there is one of those sytlized "W"s on the front of the trigger guard.
front grip strap

rear of the frame

George Anderson · 09-13-2007, 10:50 PM

Ed, I'd like to see a photo of the "W" it might help in our search for an answer there. Great find a rare telegraph/commo troop mark.

Ron Smith · 09-14-2007, 08:29 AM

Ed,

Did you just get the frame, or the complete pistol? Telegraph unit marks are rare.

Ron

Edward Tinker · 09-14-2007, 09:37 AM

I got what you see above and the entire toggle to include matched firing pin. Three other lots were sold on ebay with the matching number, two to a member of the forum. No receiver top is available. I bought it as I wanted a good frame, didn't even realize it was "missing" the stock lug till it got here and then saw it was a 1908 model...

I plan on building it up (I have most parts if not all, except for a receiver top). Of course, I could use my 1918 weimar police I am trying to sell, and then just part it out and make most of my money back.

The unit marking was a surprise, as was the nice magazine, I was expecting the mag to be ucky and it was very nice.

In the light today, I will take pictures of the frame and the "W".

Ed

Edward Tinker · 03-20-2008, 04:29 PM

"the rest of the story"

I bought a 1913 receiver last fall and always had trouble with it, it was slightly bent /and/or the frame was, so they just didn't work together... Well, recently I parted out a 1917 and used that receiver to mate and finish this gun. so, although mismatched, I now have a complete and workable unit marked luger. I had a heck of a time with the safety lever, getting it back in. Now I know the trick, but for 2 days....

SteveM · 03-20-2008, 04:55 PM

I once passed up a telegraph marked Erfurt...that was a big mistake. This one that Ed has is only the second one that I have ever seen.

09-13-2007, 07:26 PM	#1
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	1913 frame w/ rare unit marking I bought this from a guy this last week; received it and was surprised to find it was unit marked, while the rear of the frame has a GI's (??) name? serial number is 3247a and there is one of those sytlized "W"s on the front of the trigger guard. front grip strap rear of the frame __________________ 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

09-14-2007, 08:29 AM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Ed, Did you just get the frame, or the complete pistol? Telegraph unit marks are rare. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-14-2007, 09:37 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	I got what you see above and the entire toggle to include matched firing pin. Three other lots were sold on ebay with the matching number, two to a member of the forum. No receiver top is available. I bought it as I wanted a good frame, didn't even realize it was "missing" the stock lug till it got here and then saw it was a 1908 model... I *plan* on building it up (I have most parts if not all, except for a receiver top). Of course, I could use my 1918 weimar police I am trying to sell, and then just part it out and make most of my money back. The unit marking was a surprise, as was the nice magazine, I was expecting the mag to be ucky and it was very nice. In the light today, I will take pictures of the frame and the "W". Ed __________________ 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

09-13-2007, 10:50 PM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,771 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Ed, I'd like to see a photo of the "W" it might help in our search for an answer there. Great find a rare telegraph/commo troop mark.

03-20-2008, 04:29 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	"the rest of the story" I bought a 1913 receiver last fall and always had trouble with it, it was slightly bent /and/or the frame was, so they just didn't work together... Well, recently I parted out a 1917 and used that receiver to mate and finish this gun. so, although mismatched, I now have a complete and workable unit marked luger. I had a heck of a time with the safety lever, getting it back in. Now I know the trick, but for 2 days....

03-20-2008, 04:55 PM	#6
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	I once passed up a telegraph marked Erfurt...that was a big mistake. This one that Ed has is only the second one that I have ever seen.