I think I did good...opinions?

[135C/C]

Some of you may have read about the Luger I sent back due to a crack in the frame & shootability issues and then the other seller I was dealing with who refused to take a C&R.......well, I'm happy to say I FINALLY HAVE A KEEPER .

I got the full rig (gun, 2 mags, holster, loading tool) for $905 not including another $40 for shipping & FFL x-fer. I'm pretty confident I did "good"....would I be going too far in saying I did "great"?

Below are some pics observations and questions. If you guys could educate and correct me when needed I'd really appreciate it.

It's a 1914 Military DWM in 9mm, "1918" chamber date with the police safety sear. I assumed that there would be a police rework proof mark of some kind on it due to the sear install, but I can't find one. I was hoping that it would have some unit markings to get some "history" from it, but no luck. I'm no expert on finish classifying in %, but I'd call it "very good", looks to be original blueing with mostly holster wear. The barrel is shiny with good to excellent rifleing. ALL numbers match, to include the grips. I included pics of the grips and hopefully captured all marks to get opinions if these are in fact the "original" grips. As a note, I noticed an "a" behind the top cut-out for the trigger on the left of the frame...any significance of that other than being the serial # suffix?

The slide and some other moving parts were a bit gummed up with what almost seemed like grease or even bits of cosmoline. I cleaned it with spray oil (I was out of "Powder Blast") and oiled it before the pics. I hope to take it to the range before the end of the week to see how it shoots.

Additional pics are also below in post replies.....

[135C/C]

Both magazines are stamped and other than on the bases, are unmarked. The aluminum based mag is "1" and has what appears to be a tall "W" resting on a circle with what almost looks like a flag outline on the right of the "W"....hopefully it's visible in the pic. With my admittedly limited resources/knowledge, I can't match this mark with anything.... any significance to this proof mark? The wood based mag is "2", stamped with the serial number & "a" suffix, and has what appears to be a "+" underneath the "a"....any significance to the "+"? If you look closely it appears the serial # has been stamped over a smaller "5964". Is it fair to assume this was done at the beginning of its police service at the armory?

The police holster was converted from a military and has very pronounced stitching holes from where the original military strap was stitched on the main holster "body". Besides having VERY FAINT Friedrich Böttger, Eisleben, and either 1915 or 1916 stamped on the inside flap near the stud, it is unmarked (aside from the hand-written "FB"). Is there any trick to make the stampings more obvious/readable? When I was trying to make out the year stamp, the round black leather piece to cover the back of the stud came right off. What should I use to re-attach it, or should I just leave it? The holster looks to be black, but under bright light and camera flash it almost appears to be a brown. I'm assuming this is from the mandated "black" fading over time and the original brown dye applied in 1915 or 1916 showing through. The belt loops are definitely brown. The holster appears to be a bit rough, but it's complete and nothing is broken, would this rate as "fair"?

The loading tool has no markings. It "looks" to me to be original just because of the old blue apperance and evidence of wear. Is there any other way to determine originality?

I've got even more pics if needed.

[suum cuique]

The wooden mag bottom was re-marked, the numbers are really large.
The #-matching gun, holster and two mags: The price seems ok for the whole rig.
Is the tool original?

[wlyon]

Looks like a good deal to me. Try putting baby powder over the holster letters. ,Carefully blow off the excess and hopefully enough will remain in the letters to make them easier to read. At least it works for me, most of the time. Bill

[Lugerdoc]

I'd suggest both mags have been renumbered to match the gun, as the aluminum bottom has the distintive casting flaw found on most post war Danish mag bottoms. TH

[FNorm]

Tom? Educate us. What is the casting flaw?

FN

[policeluger]

Loading tool looks a bit off, painted black alum ?

[alvin]

It's an old reblue. But for $905, as long as it works, it's good.

[alanint]

Agreed on the reblue. At least the upper receiver/barrel have been reblued, some other parts appear to be original..

[135C/C]

Thanks. I've got a couple things to add and even MORE questions.

TOOL
The magazine tool is steel, not aluminum. It isn't painted, but looks to be an old blue that has gone gray. A few areas and the screwdriver end have what looks to be shades of bluish/brown heat discoloration.

MAGAZINES
I did a search on Danish magazines and only found pics of those with "bullseye" follower buttons. Did Denmark also make checkered ones? I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking at as far as the casting flaw. Could you elaborate?
I know the wooden follower has been overmarked as you can see that "5964" was the original mark. Did armorers have a standard size stamp when marking magazines, or are there instances of different sizes depending on the armory/armorer?

GUN FINISH
Just to educate me....what indications do you see of an "old reblue" on the barrel & upper receiver? The inside of the receiver is "bare", I don't see any obvious signs of polishing/buffing on the blued areas of the receiver, and the serial # has a "halo". The only thing "odd" to me is that the barrel has a slightly different finish than the rest of the gun and has a light barrel proof mark, but the receiver/barrel witness mark appears to be "perfect" and it has obvious holster wear at the muzzle & sights, so I attributed it to different bluing rates and a light hammer blow. What else should I look for?

[Norme]

Hi Ron, In answer to your question about a possible refinish, there are two main indicators. One is subjective - when you have handled a number of guns with original finish, you will be able to sense when things don't look right. Secondly, there are some pointers. The muzzle and the small pin through the top of the toggle being "in the white", for example. I'm posting two photos,one is your gun, the other is a DWM with original finish. Regards, Norm

[Lugerdoc]

FNorm et al, The Danish mag bottoms (both unmarked and marked "Made in Denmark") alway seem to have a casting line running from top to bottom with a triangular depression just below center, as shown in the above photos. I did not say that the whole mag was of Danish construction, but believe that the alum bottom may be. I'm facinated by the blue light illuminating the bore. Neat Police PO8.

[FNorm]

AH! I see it now. Thank you, Tom. I learn something every day on this Forum

FN