Low Serial Number?

Bob Kovacs · 09-11-2002, 10:14 AM

My DWM Luger i believe is an E.German rework.
It looks like the day it was made and that was in
1918. But i wonder if the 3 digit serial number
is original to this gun, or did the E.Germans
give it a new set of numbers. I say this cause
3 digit serial on a 1918 DWM seems too low to be original. What do u guys think?

Thanks...Bob

Frank · 09-11-2002, 11:46 AM

Bob, Jan Stills seems to think the low number for a 1918 DWM is S/N 121. That is based on data he has seen. My guess would be they started at S/N 01.

John Sabato · 09-11-2002, 12:31 PM

I concur with Frank's assessment... Just because a particular low number has been observed, doesn't mean that is the low end of the scale...

I think it is a logical conclusion that the series started with number 1...

unspellable · 09-11-2002, 01:34 PM

The chamber date should be included as the prefix to a four digit plus letter serial number. So this piece is # 1918 0XXX x, not such a low serial number. Was there a letter suffix?

Each year of production started 1, went to 9999 then 1 a to 9999 a, then 1 b to 9999 b etc. The next year started at 1 again.

I constantly run in to gun dealers who are unaware that the chamber date and the letter suffix are part of the serial number. When you buy a Luger get all this on the reciept.

If you buy DWM 1917 1234 a and the auhtorities are attempting to determine who stole DWM 1916 1234 d and your recipt only says Luger 1234, take a guess at the complications. Add another log to the fire, the authorities think they are looking for Luger 1234. remember, your friendly BATF agent doesn't know half as much about Luger varients as you do. And he ain't gonna listen to you!

ToggleTop · 09-11-2002, 06:48 PM

I believe the pistols were numbered from 1 to 10000 and then moved to the a, b, c, suffix etc.

Edward Tinker · 09-11-2002, 08:32 PM

I've heard both ways. I think it is 1 to 10,000, but not all the way sure. I am sure someone will weigh in, I looked in Imperial Lugers, but did not state (at a quick glance).

ToggleTop · 09-11-2002, 09:22 PM

Here is a mauser military luger number 10000.

Edward Tinker · 09-11-2002, 09:33 PM

Cool, thanks!

Doubs · 09-11-2002, 09:40 PM

I have read/heard both ways..... 1 to 9999 and 1 to 10000 before the series begins once more with the next letter suffix. The only thing I'm positive of is that it begins with 1. I just received my copy of "The P08 Luger Pistol" by de Vries & Martens. On page 21 is a picture of 1911 Erfurt, serial number 1. The pistol is part of the collection of the British MoD Pattern Room. (I posted this before seeing Toggletop's pic. Guess that shows the top end.)

For Mr. Kovacs, I'd like to explain that there is more than one style of serial number on Lugers. The military pistols, such as yours, have a date and a manufacturer as well as the full serial number on the frame. ALL of that data is necessary to establish the identity of a specific pistol.

There are, however, commercial serial numbers, contract serial numbers and even mixtures of military style and commercial style numbers. Throw in year models and other variables and it can get confusing. Identity of a specific Luger can require maker's name, date (if present), serial number on the front of the frame with suffix letter (if present), year model (1906, for example), chamber marking if present (American Eagle), barrel length and caliber.

This is NOT to discourage you but to urge you to get your hands on some books and read as much as possible. And ask questions. There are people here who will help you as much as they can within reason.

To answer your question about the E. Germans giving your pistol a new serial number, pictures of the pistol that show the various number clearly would be a big help. It's not possible to give a good answer without seeing the pistol.

09-11-2002, 10:14 AM	#1
Bob Kovacs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Low Serial Number? My DWM Luger i believe is an E.German rework. It looks like the day it was made and that was in 1918. But i wonder if the 3 digit serial number is original to this gun, or did the E.Germans give it a new set of numbers. I say this cause 3 digit serial on a 1918 DWM seems too low to be original. What do u guys think? Thanks...Bob

09-11-2002, 12:31 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I concur with Frank's assessment... Just because a particular low number has been observed, doesn't mean that is the low end of the scale... I think it is a logical conclusion that the series started with number 1... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-11-2002, 06:48 PM	#5
ToggleTop User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 297 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I believe the pistols were numbered from 1 to 10000 and then moved to the a, b, c, suffix etc. __________________ *********************** ToggleTop************* JustHappenToLoveLugers *************************

09-11-2002, 08:32 PM	#6
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	I've heard both ways. I think it is 1 to 10,000, but not all the way sure. I am sure someone will weigh in, I looked in Imperial Lugers, but did not state (at a quick glance). __________________ 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

09-11-2002, 09:22 PM	#7
ToggleTop User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 297 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here is a mauser military luger number 10000. __________________ *********************** ToggleTop************* JustHappenToLoveLugers *************************

09-11-2002, 11:46 AM	#2
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Bob, Jan Stills seems to think the low number for a 1918 DWM is S/N 121. That is based on data he has seen. My guess would be they started at S/N 01.

09-11-2002, 01:34 PM	#4
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	The chamber date should be included as the prefix to a four digit plus letter serial number. So this piece is # 1918 0XXX x, not such a low serial number. Was there a letter suffix? Each year of production started 1, went to 9999 then 1 a to 9999 a, then 1 b to 9999 b etc. The next year started at 1 again. I constantly run in to gun dealers who are unaware that the chamber date and the letter suffix are part of the serial number. When you buy a Luger get all this on the reciept. If you buy DWM 1917 1234 a and the auhtorities are attempting to determine who stole DWM 1916 1234 d and your recipt only says Luger 1234, take a guess at the complications. Add another log to the fire, the authorities think they are looking for Luger 1234. remember, your friendly BATF agent doesn't know half as much about Luger varients as you do. And he ain't gonna listen to you!

09-11-2002, 09:33 PM	#8
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	Cool, thanks! __________________ 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

09-11-2002, 09:40 PM	#9
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	I have read/heard both ways..... 1 to 9999 and 1 to 10000 before the series begins once more with the next letter suffix. The only thing I'm positive of is that it begins with 1. I just received my copy of "The P08 Luger Pistol" by de Vries & Martens. On page 21 is a picture of 1911 Erfurt, serial number 1. The pistol is part of the collection of the British MoD Pattern Room. (I posted this before seeing Toggletop's pic. Guess that shows the top end.) For Mr. Kovacs, I'd like to explain that there is more than one style of serial number on Lugers. The military pistols, such as yours, have a date and a manufacturer as well as the full serial number on the frame. ALL of that data is necessary to establish the identity of a specific pistol. There are, however, commercial serial numbers, contract serial numbers and even mixtures of military style and commercial style numbers. Throw in year models and other variables and it can get confusing. Identity of a specific Luger can require maker's name, date (if present), serial number on the front of the frame with suffix letter (if present), year model (1906, for example), chamber marking if present (American Eagle), barrel length and caliber. This is NOT to discourage you but to urge you to get your hands on some books and read as much as possible. And ask questions. There are people here who will help you as much as they can within reason. To answer your question about the E. Germans giving your pistol a new serial number, pictures of the pistol that show the various number clearly would be a big help. It's not possible to give a good answer without seeing the pistol.