1906 Navy Commercial Serial 25,5xx No Proofs!

CJS57 · 08-26-2013, 06:15 PM

I am offered a 6" 9mm DWM Luger apparently a 1906 Navy Commercial for around $3000+. Serial is 25,5xx range ( no letter, no Germany) on the barrel and frame, matching numbers elsewhere in the commercial style. Early long frame and unaltered up for safe with polished outline safety. DWM marked on the toggle, no chamber date and no proofs anywhere, nothing at all! Not refinished, not ground down, no Germany. It has the Navy 100/200 sight. Blue and Straw are original 95%, nice condition, and obviously near 100 years old with patina and normal wear. Quality is like a typical 1906 commercial. Garbage magazine in it, no help there. I am thinking this is a 1920's era put together sort of gun, left over from pre-WWI? Anyone with an idea on what it is and what to look for when I see it again? No proofs at all?

Norme · 08-26-2013, 08:45 PM

Hi Chris, It's in the right serial number range for a 1906 Commercial, but with no proofs, all bets are off. Sorry I can't be more help to you.
Regards, Norm

Dwight Gruber · 08-27-2013, 04:59 AM

We may be of more help if we know the full serial number.

--Dwight

CJS57 · 08-27-2013, 07:46 AM

I will look at again and get the serial and more details.

lugercollector · 08-27-2013, 12:04 PM

I have seen a Navy Commercial and several 1902 Carbines with no proof marks....It may well be correct...

CJS57 · 08-27-2013, 06:48 PM

I examined it again today, it is serial 25056. 95% original blue, 75% original straw, all matching numbers, no proofs anywhere. I know there will be shouts of "Reblue", but there are no halos on the barrel or frame serial numbers. They are deeply stamped with raised edges on the barrel serial. The gun is not reblued. Safety is down for fire and is Gesichert marked. Bore is like new. Navy rear sight has only 30% original blue that is a different type of blue than the main gun. The gun is marked with a deep electo-etch on the front strap with the name "Beushausen". It is $3500 firm right now, too much in my view. Without the name on it, maybe. Comments welcome.

Dwight Gruber · 08-28-2013, 05:50 PM

You describe a very intriguing pistol. 25056 is the lowest serial number report for a new model Parabellum in the commercial database, only 25 digits higher than the highest reported old model French transitional pistol.

The GESICHERT safety mark makes much more sense than the polished safety area you first reported; this stamped safety mark predominates in the reports until at least sn 26740.

On the face of it, $3,500 is an attractive price; this pistol deserves a thorough and detailed examination. Might the seller allow you to take and post clear, detailed closeup pictures of several specific features?

--Dwight

Ron Wood · 08-28-2013, 07:40 PM

I'm with Dwight, #25056 is an exciting serial number and photos of the gun would be most interesting.

CJS57 · 08-28-2013, 08:29 PM

I can get some pictures but it will be awhile. Thanks for the comments!

08-26-2013, 06:15 PM	#1
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	1906 Navy Commercial Serial 25,5xx No Proofs! I am offered a 6" 9mm DWM Luger apparently a 1906 Navy Commercial for around $3000+. Serial is 25,5xx range ( no letter, no Germany) on the barrel and frame, matching numbers elsewhere in the commercial style. Early long frame and unaltered up for safe with polished outline safety. DWM marked on the toggle, no chamber date and no proofs anywhere, nothing at all! Not refinished, not ground down, no Germany. It has the Navy 100/200 sight. Blue and Straw are original 95%, nice condition, and obviously near 100 years old with patina and normal wear. Quality is like a typical 1906 commercial. Garbage magazine in it, no help there. I am thinking this is a 1920's era put together sort of gun, left over from pre-WWI? Anyone with an idea on what it is and what to look for when I see it again? No proofs at all?

08-28-2013, 07:40 PM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	I'm with Dwight, #25056 is an exciting serial number and photos of the gun would be most interesting. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-26-2013, 08:45 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Chris, It's in the right serial number range for a 1906 Commercial, but with no proofs, all bets are off. Sorry I can't be more help to you. Regards, Norm

08-27-2013, 04:59 AM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	We may be of more help if we know the full serial number. --Dwight

08-27-2013, 07:46 AM	#4
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	I will look at again and get the serial and more details.

08-27-2013, 12:04 PM	#5
lugercollector Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: canada Posts: 322 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 15 Posts	I have seen a Navy Commercial and several 1902 Carbines with no proof marks....It may well be correct...

08-27-2013, 06:48 PM	#6
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	I examined it again today, it is serial 25056. 95% original blue, 75% original straw, all matching numbers, no proofs anywhere. I know there will be shouts of "Reblue", but there are no halos on the barrel or frame serial numbers. They are deeply stamped with raised edges on the barrel serial. The gun is not reblued. Safety is down for fire and is Gesichert marked. Bore is like new. Navy rear sight has only 30% original blue that is a different type of blue than the main gun. The gun is marked with a deep electo-etch on the front strap with the name "Beushausen". It is $3500 firm right now, too much in my view. Without the name on it, maybe. Comments welcome.

08-28-2013, 05:50 PM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	You describe a very intriguing pistol. 25056 is the lowest serial number report for a new model Parabellum in the commercial database, only 25 digits higher than the highest reported old model French transitional pistol. The GESICHERT safety mark makes much more sense than the polished safety area you first reported; this stamped safety mark predominates in the reports until at least sn 26740. On the face of it, $3,500 is an attractive price; this pistol deserves a thorough and detailed examination. Might the seller allow you to take and post clear, detailed closeup pictures of several specific features? --Dwight

08-28-2013, 08:29 PM	#9
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	I can get some pictures but it will be awhile. Thanks for the comments!