Early Commercial Luger Survey--another call

[Dwight Gruber]

Another call for information for my early Commercial serial# Lugers. I have received a log of good information, but am still on the lookout for more.

I'm looking for information on all Commercially numbered Lugers from #1 into the 75000 serial numger range (where the c/N marking shifted from Lazy to Upright). Includes all Commercial, American Eagle (including Test Eagles), Bugarian, and Swiss Commercial (but -not- the Swiss military contract), French commercial, Navy Commercials, German and Dutch test, 08 Commercials, early 14 Commercials, anything else anyone comes up with.

The information I need is:

Model
Proof mark, or its absence
Swiss cross present on barrel, or not
Grip safety lever, narrow (half grip strap width) or wide
thumb safety type, 1 (flat, checkered); 2 (raised, checkered); 3 (raised, grooved)
serial# placement on takedown lever--right end, face, or under
stamped GERMANY or not
caliber
any noteworthy characteristics
production date information if available

I know that not all this information is applicable to all models, but I need the entire list for completeness.

The results so far are proving to be very interesting. I find that I am particularly desirous of information in the 1000-2000 range, 7000-8000 range, 10000-11000 range, 22000-23000 range, and 48000-53000 range--interesting things seem to be hapening these places.

I have no data in the 15000-18000 and 49000-51000 ranges, and very skimpy--one or two samples--in many other ranges.

If you haven't already, now is the time to drag your early Commercially numbered Lugers out of the safe and make them known.

Please send me your information at dwightg@pacifier.com or post it here. As always, I will maintain the anonymity of ownership.

Everyone has my continued thanks for your participation, I'm finding the results will be pretty interesting.

--Dwight

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Dwight,

Here is the scoup on my M1900 AE luger :

* Serial No. 8598, all matching.
* No BUG proofmarks.
* No Swiss cross on barrel. Only has the full serial number on the underside of the barrel.
* Narrow grip safety (half wide).
* Type II thumb safety lever.
* Serial number ("98" on the under-edge of the TD lever.
* "Germany" stamped on front of frame, below full serial number.
* .30 cal.
* Wooden grips, minty, both stamped "98" on inside surfaces and both have an " * " symbol stamped as well.
* Bottom of wooden magazine is lightly stamped with the "flaming bomb" proof.
* "Flaming bomb" stamps in the front frame well and in front of the receiver lug, just in front of the lug.
* Witness marks on barrel/receiver look to be struck with one strike.

Let me know if I can provide any other info. on # 8598...

I will post up some photos this weekend as time allows...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

[Dwight Gruber]

Pete,

Thanks much for the info. Sounds like a really great Luger, looking forward to the pictures. Got your email, will reply soon.

--Dwight

[Tim]

Dwight,
1900 Commercial #18308
No proofs
No Swiss Cross
Wide grip safety
Serial under takedown lever
Type 3 thumb safety
GERMANY beneath serial on frame
30 Luger
Professional refinish, numbers match. My wife got me a digital camera for our anniversary, pictures to follow... I hope!
Tim

[Tim]

Pictures at:
1900 Commercial 1
1900 Commercial 2
1900 Commercial 3
1900 Commercial 4
1900 Commercial 5
1900 Commercial 6
Even on the "Small" setting, my camera makes pictures that are 800 X 600 and end up being 700K. How do you guys get pictures that are reasonable at less than 200K size? Also, if anybody wants to help out a "less than competent" computer guy figure out how to make an album, I'd appreciate it.
Tim

[Dwight Gruber]

Tim,

Thanks for the info.

--Dwight

[tracyp]

Tim,

You can use something like Adobe Photoshop to change the image size.

Tracy

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Tim,

What a great looking Luger. And your skill with your new camera is just outstanding. What type of camera did your wife choose...?

Regarding easy "resizing"...

John D., posted this great free hint awhile ago. I think you need to run MS XP Home of XP Pro, though...

" As well - a VERY simple way to do it (if you are using Windows XP) is with something like "Image Resizer" - which is a free and part of the Microsoft PowerToys Suite. Once installed, all you do is RIGHT MOUSE CLICK on the photo, and select "Resize Image" from the menu.

You can get it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../powertoys.asp

Hope this helps....

John D. "

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

[Tim]

Pete,
It's a small Kodak "Easy Share". I think it is 3.1 megapixel. I am used to old SLR's, and have shot film with Nikon's for years. This thing looks like a toy next to my F3. Results speak for themselves.
I have a slow, old computer (second gen pentium) and am connected to the internet with a plain old 56.6 modem. I rarely get speed greater than 48 though. The price of living way out in the sticks...
I don't have adobe photoshop, and my computer runs windows 98... The camera came with software, but I am still playing with it. As soon as I get this all figured out, I'll post a gallery with everything from this 1900 to a new Stainless Luger and several examples in between.