my profile |
register |
faq |
search upload photo | donate | calendar |
06-07-2014, 05:12 PM | #1 |
New User
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3
Thanks: 4
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
Help with Luger from Finland
Hi
I am trying to find out more about a Luger that belonged to my Grandfather, who served in the Finnish army. He started his military training in Germany in 1915 (in the socalled "Jägerbataillon"). Later he took part in the Finnish Civil War and served in the army until the late 1920s. Hence the Luger could be from any time from 1915 to 1927 or thereabouts. I have tried to understand the markings on the Luger, and match them with the information I have found on this excellent site and others. Unfortunately I have not been able to determine what year the Luger is from. Can anyone help me, based on the enclosed pictures? (Let me know if other pictures are required to form an opinion.) Thanks in advance! Anders |
The following member says Thank You to anta71 for your post: |
06-07-2014, 06:32 PM | #2 |
Super Moderator - Patron
LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA
Posts: 3,907
Thanks: 1,374
Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts
|
Hello Anders, and welcome to the forum.
The suffix letter on your Luger looks like the letter "q". See the key on our site at: http://lugerforum.com/lugermarkings/suffix.html The full serial number would be "1379q" (S/n corrected per pictures below...) This Luger looks to be in a very high condition. It was made by DWM in Berlin. It looks like it's marked in the Commercial manner. Is it in 9mm Luger or .30 Luger Caliber? Are there any proof markings on it? If it's a post WW-I commercial Luger, and falls within the Alphabet Commercial time-frame, the "o" suffix would occur in about 1924-1925 (based upon the ones we have here in the USA from that period).
__________________
Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war. |
06-08-2014, 04:29 PM | #3 |
New User
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3
Thanks: 4
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
First of all, thanks so much mrerick for taking time to help a beginner. I really appreciate it.
Some further details, clarifications and questions from my side: The images I first posted were compressed during the posting process, so the markings were not that clear. Enclosed two more pictures of the markings, which are hopefully more clear. Curiously, I just noticed the letter looks different on the barrel (where it looks like "q" I think), and on the frame (where it looks like an "a"). My inexpert opinion is that the letter is supposed to be "q". Do you agree? What year would that imply? As you can also see the proof is an N with a crown. I believe that is called "Nitro". The caliber is 7.65 mm. Yes, as far as I can judge, it is in good condition. This makes sense if it is from the 1920s, since it would not have seen military action in that case. (My grandfather was a military attache in the 1920's and worked for the Red Cross after that.) Thanks again for your help! Any further input would be much appreciated! Anders |
06-08-2014, 07:31 PM | #4 |
Super Moderator - Patron
LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA
Posts: 3,907
Thanks: 1,374
Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts
|
Hi Anders,
After seeing the barrel markings, I agree with you. The suffix is "q" making the serial "1379q". It looks like the lower tail of the "q" on the die didn't get completely stamped into the frame. The C/N nitro proof confirms that it is a commercial pistol, informs us that it's likely a DWM Alphabet Commercial and pushes the date back. Probably 1926-1927. The halos visible around the serial number on the barrel confirm it's original finish. Is it possible that your bought this as he left Germany? That could also help account for it's excellent condition... Marc
__________________
Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war. |
The following member says Thank You to mrerick for your post: |
06-09-2014, 11:19 AM | #5 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron 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
|
Very Nice!
__________________
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..." |
The following member says Thank You to John Sabato for your post: |
06-09-2014, 03:00 PM | #6 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Italy
Posts: 43
Thanks: 8
Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts
|
Hallo,
my Luger has serial # 3139q and, as you see from the pictures, it happens sometimes that the "leg" of the "q" is not printed well on the front of the receiver, I suppose due to the fact of the curved surface of the receiver itself. Anyway, my Luger is also stamped SA near the C/N, because it was issued to the Finnish Army. Compliments for the conditions of your gun, it is much better than mine. PS To implement the discussion here, I want to say that I like to shoot my Luger sometimes, about 100 rounds per year go through it. Ciao Antonio |
06-10-2014, 04:15 PM | #7 |
New User
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3
Thanks: 4
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
Thanks again to Marc for helping me to home in on the production year. This was really helpful.
Awesome post by Antonio as well. It was very interesting to see the pictures. I am curious as to why my Grandfather's Luger does not have the SA marking, as I am pretty sure it must have been issued to him by the Finnish Army, which he left in 1930 (to work for the Red Cross until 1956). But I guess I'll never learn all the details :-) Anyway, thanks so much to the both of you. I am really impressed with activity level and knowledge displayed on LugerForum! Anders |
06-10-2014, 04:36 PM | #8 |
Super Moderator
Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North of Spokane, WA
Posts: 15,928
Thanks: 2,028
Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts
|
The finns liked 7.65mm early if I remember right, but this would not surprise me if he bought it new or a department bought them new in the 1920's and he was issued it. Being a commercial, you find them in 7.65 or 9mm, but I think of many commercials as being 7.65mm.
__________________
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 |
The following member says Thank You to Edward Tinker for your post: |
|
|