LugerForum Discussion Forums my profile | register | faq | search
upload photo | donate | calendar

Go Back   LugerForum Discussion Forums > Luger Discussion Forums > New Collectors Forum

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
Unread 07-22-2018, 04:21 PM   #1
JTom
New User
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts
Default DWM Identification

Just bought this DWM 9mm that I haven’t been smart enough to identify. Never owned a Luger before. This is marked “DWM” on the toggle but my research leads me to believe the magazine (122/37) is made by Mauser? What’s puzzling to me is that it has the correct serial number. All numbers I can find are matching but haven’t been brave enough to disassemble the gun. There is no serial number on the front toggle that I can see. From markings on the grip part of frame it looks like a police issue. You can also see the sear safety in one of the photos. Gun has a 4” barrel, a stock lug and no grip safety. Safety is engaged in the down position. Any advice is much appreciated.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	9698EBD2-E5F4-4647-823B-C7066FACB537.jpg
Views:	326
Size:	237.3 KB
ID:	73131  

Click image for larger version

Name:	8A29D92E-3088-4563-A42E-F127F5AE9163.jpg
Views:	316
Size:	144.9 KB
ID:	73132  

Click image for larger version

Name:	B16354E9-A039-4380-9264-A6A2DEB02318.jpg
Views:	328
Size:	103.3 KB
ID:	73133  

Click image for larger version

Name:	ED1A92E2-4269-4379-B8BE-3FD915C3FA49.jpg
Views:	319
Size:	163.3 KB
ID:	73134  

Click image for larger version

Name:	0202238A-E1DE-42AD-BB98-F2C3FA43311F.jpg
Views:	318
Size:	129.9 KB
ID:	73135  

Click image for larger version

Name:	C0E01255-BBC7-4CED-BE14-42565E95D537.jpg
Views:	328
Size:	66.6 KB
ID:	73136  

Click image for larger version

Name:	94FCA6B5-4C83-4C9E-B945-E70867ACBC85.jpg
Views:	338
Size:	163.6 KB
ID:	73137  

Click image for larger version

Name:	5964C02F-49E2-4561-B43A-8AEC745A374C.jpg
Views:	333
Size:	87.5 KB
ID:	73138  

JTom is offline   Reply With Quote
The following member says Thank You to JTom for your post:
Unread 07-22-2018, 04:30 PM   #2
Edward Tinker
Super Moderator
Eternal Lifer
LugerForum
Patron
 
Edward Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North of Spokane, WA
Posts: 15,926
Thanks: 2,014
Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts
Default

What I am seeing is a late DWM (actually very close to Mauser taking over or did) police luger - it has a sear safety and a disconnected magazine safety (expected). Its Waa marking on the right shows it was accepted by the army (correct) and accepted into the police. The front grip strap markings are police.

The magazine is force matched and is a mauser period magazine.
__________________
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

Edward Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-22-2018, 04:55 PM   #3
JTom
New User
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts
Default

I was told this was. WWI vintage but sounds like it’s maybe from the late 30’s? I’m guessing I overpaid at $1,000. But it’s interesting and is a sweet shooter.
JTom is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-22-2018, 05:43 PM   #4
sheepherder
Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
sheepherder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal...
Posts: 8,182
Thanks: 1,400
Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JTom View Post
I’m guessing I overpaid at $1,000.
Not in my area. You have an honest Luger; not refinished, not abused; being a police Luger is a bit of a plus IMO. Looks good. You'd have paid that from a dealer plus additional fees (again, in my area).

I'd have detail stripped (and cleaned) it immediately. There are some things that can break that you can't see (firing pin spring guide; firing pin tip; chipped extractor). And some things get gummed up and don't work right (sear pin/spring; thumb safety). Always good to know what to expect.
__________________
I like my coffee the
way I like my women...
...Cold and bitter...
sheepherder is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 3 members says Thank You to sheepherder for your post:
Unread 07-22-2018, 08:19 PM   #5
DonVoigt
User
 
DonVoigt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: near Charlotte NC
Posts: 4,681
Thanks: 1,441
Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts
Default

Welcome.
The letter below the numbers is also part of the serial number; so the magazine has the same number/different letter and is not a match. As pointed out it is a later vintage magazine.
__________________
03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector.
Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie
DonVoigt is offline   Reply With Quote
The following member says Thank You to DonVoigt for your post:
Unread 07-22-2018, 08:38 PM   #6
JTom
New User
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts
Default

That’s an interesting observation. It doesn’t seem logical that someone would create a matching serial number and, at the same time, a different letter. What do you make of the “3” above the serial number? Would have expected a 1 or a 2 or maybe a +.
JTom is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-22-2018, 09:02 PM   #7
DavidJayUden
Patron
LugerForum
Patron
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,047
Thanks: 578
Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts
Default

During police work or rework they probably ground the numbers but not the suffix letter off a later and restamped it to match. Police issued these with matching magazines that were not original or necessarily correct to the original gun. IMHO you did not overpay.
dju
DavidJayUden is offline   Reply With Quote
The following member says Thank You to DavidJayUden for your post:
Unread 07-22-2018, 09:26 PM   #8
lugerholsterrepair
Moderator
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
lugerholsterrepair's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Arizona/Colorado
Posts: 7,768
Thanks: 4,896
Thanked 3,122 Times in 1,433 Posts
Default

What do you make of the “3” above the serial number? This indicates the 3rd spare magazine. Police were issued 3 magazines.


A + was for an extra/spare ARMY magazine.
__________________
Jerry Burney
11491 S. Guadalupe Drive

Yuma AZ 85367-6182


lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net

928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round
719 207-3331 (cell)


"For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."
lugerholsterrepair is offline   Reply With Quote
The following member says Thank You to lugerholsterrepair for your post:
Unread 07-22-2018, 10:02 PM   #9
Edward Tinker
Super Moderator
Eternal Lifer
LugerForum
Patron
 
Edward Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North of Spokane, WA
Posts: 15,926
Thanks: 2,014
Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts
Default

BTW, you can barely pick up a mismatched luger for $1,000 - one matching mag on a police gun adds several hundred at a minimum. Although the 'spotty' rust takes away value, I think with oil and rubbing with a cloth or 0000 steel wool (nothing more harsh) and it'll clean up well.

Check on youtube for disassembly videos - then take your time, ensure you are careful, don't force the grips or the take down lever. Read the FAQ here, read the disassembly instructions here, Buy books, etc.
Edward Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-23-2018, 08:51 AM   #10
Lugerdoc
Patron
LugerForum
Patron
 
Lugerdoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302
Posts: 5,089
Thanks: 6
Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts
Default

Your late 1920s Magnaberg police luger was assembled at BKIW from left over WW1 DWM parts. The magazine was added later, probably in the DDR, and reserialized to the the pistol. TH
__________________
Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302
Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net
Lugerdoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-23-2018, 11:15 AM   #11
Mac Cat
Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
Mac Cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 712
Thanks: 2,077
Thanked 592 Times in 318 Posts
Default

Nice pictures!

Is there no date stamp on top of the chamber ?
I can only make out some scratches, so I wondered if the date was buffed off ?
Mac Cat is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-23-2018, 12:27 PM   #12
John Sabato
Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
John Sabato's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: The Capital of the Free World
Posts: 10,153
Thanks: 3,003
Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts
Default

Could we please see a better view in good light of the top of the chamber area? Thanks.
John Sabato is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-23-2018, 02:20 PM   #13
JTom
New User
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Thanks to all for the info and advice. Attached are a couple photos of the top of the chamber. No date. Doesn’t appear to me that anything was buffed off...
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	05A7EBBD-CFF5-4757-A1A8-244D3D6C746D.jpg
Views:	315
Size:	113.9 KB
ID:	73143  

Click image for larger version

Name:	E7B6CAB8-32DF-4FD4-B9EE-004556162E43.jpg
Views:	318
Size:	145.9 KB
ID:	73144  

JTom is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 5 members says Thank You to JTom for your post:
Unread 07-23-2018, 03:10 PM   #14
John Sabato
Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
John Sabato's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: The Capital of the Free World
Posts: 10,153
Thanks: 3,003
Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts
Default

The chamber area is not ground or buffed IMHO. Since it was made up from parts, the receiver was probably unmarked during assembly and never got date stamped.
__________________
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..."
John Sabato is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 07-23-2018, 04:06 PM   #15
Edward Tinker
Super Moderator
Eternal Lifer
LugerForum
Patron
 
Edward Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North of Spokane, WA
Posts: 15,926
Thanks: 2,014
Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts
Default

they were not made from older parts - the 1929 era lugers might have been DWM parts, but I highly doubt they were WW1 parts by this time.

The last date you see on a DWM is 1921 - possibly 1922

Mauser first dated them in the K and G dates
Edward Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 4 members says Thank You to Edward Tinker for your post:
Unread 07-24-2018, 01:43 PM   #16
Don M
Patron
LugerForum
Patron
 
Don M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,429
Thanks: 67
Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts
Default

The gun was issued to the Landjägerei (rural constabulary) of the Prussian administrative district of Magdeburg during the rearming of this force in 1929.
__________________
Regards,
Don
donmaus1@aol.com

Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936
http://www.historywritinsteel.com
Don M is offline   Reply With Quote
The following member says Thank You to Don M for your post:
Reply

Tags
dwm, magazine, mauser

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 - 2024, Lugerforum.com