1915 DWM - New member from Texas

AllenArmory · 07-10-2017, 07:49 PM

Hello all. I just purchased my first Luger and would like some information on it. I know it's a 1915 DWM and the numbers seem to all match. I haven't disassembled it, though. Pics to follow.

AllenArmory · 07-10-2017, 07:51 PM

More pics

AllenArmory · 07-10-2017, 07:52 PM

Even more...

DonVoigt · 07-10-2017, 07:59 PM

Welcome,
decent looking 1915 DWM.

I suggest reading the stickies for info, and then if you have more questions you can ask moe specific questions.

I don't see anything unusual.

Edward Tinker · 07-10-2017, 08:58 PM

Allen, I presume from gunboards?

Welcome to this forum

What I see is an army 1915 DWM made Luger, no unit marks and did not go into police service.

AllenArmory · 07-10-2017, 09:33 PM

Edward, I'm on other gun forums, but I don't think gunboards is one of them.

I almost forgot the holster:

AllenArmory · 07-10-2017, 09:34 PM

Here's what I know so far from browsing this site for the last three days:

Pistol was made by DWM, under German Military Contract.
Has military barrel proof and receiver proof.
Receiver inspection/acceptance stamps are S E S
Magazine is WWI, DWM Military and by the “+” means it’s a spare mag. S/N doesn’t match the pistol.
I have no idea about the holster.

Questions:
What does S E S mean on the right side receiver?
There are no import marks. Can I assume this was a bring-back?
There is a J engraved in the right side grip. I assume this was done after the pistol left the service?
What would be the approximate value of this pistol?
Value of holster?
Would you consider this a collector or shooter? I do plan to shoot it. Do I need to take it apart for this question to be answered?

Thanks!
AllenArmory

DonVoigt · 07-10-2017, 11:07 PM

Your Questions followed by some answers/opinions:
What does S E S mean on the right side receiver?
Inspectors initials applied at various points in mfg. and after proofing. This is covered in the stickys.

There are no import marks. Can I assume this was a bring-back?
yes

There is a J engraved in the right side grip. I assume this was done after the pistol left the service?
yes
What would be the approximate value of this pistol?
Check online sales

Value of holster?
Not much, looks to be aftermarket or ?? not German WWI military

Would you consider this a collector or shooter? I do plan to shoot it. Do I need to take it apart for this question to be answered?
You need to take it apart to clean it and inspect the workings, and to lubricate it.

Collector or shooter-
yes and yes- if you want to.

If you want to share what you paid, we can say good or bad on the deal-
many of us don't do "valuations", it makes no one happy and one is never correct-
There are just too many variables and every one has an opinion.

mrerick · 07-10-2017, 11:51 PM

Hi Glenn,

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your Luger. There is quite a bit to learn about Lugers, and I hope you'll enjoy the ride!

I maintain the FAQ document for Lugerforum, and I think you'll find the reference material gathered there quite useful.

Here's a direct link to the post. Download the PDF file(s).

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121

AllenArmory · 07-11-2017, 12:21 AM

Yes, I appreciate the FAQ document you've put together. I've looked it over twice and can't find what the letters S-E-S mean. Can you enlighten me?

The pistol was listed at $1299 at the local Cabela's in their "gun library." After applying Cabela's points that I had saved up, my out the door price was just over $500.

AllenArmory · 07-11-2017, 12:31 AM

More specifically, I know that S-E-S are proof stamps, but is there a way to tie them to a proofing officer or his staff?

DonVoigt · 07-11-2017, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllenArmory

More specifically, I know that S-E-S are proof stamps, but is there a way to tie them to a proofing officer or his staff?

The stamps are the first letter of the inspectors last name with the Imperial crown over it. If two inspectors had the same last name, then the second on got a line under it.

I believe the actual names are lost to history- but someone may have more info on that.

Lugerdoc · 07-11-2017, 10:21 AM

I agree with the last above statement that these Crown over a letter are inspector's markings, applied at various stages of construction, not test firing proofs, which are the stylized eagle on the barrel, receiver and breech block. TH

Ron Wood · 07-11-2017, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

The stamps are the first letter of the inspectors last name with the Imperial crown over it. If two inspectors had the same last name, then the second on got a line under it.

I believe the actual names are lost to history- but someone may have more info on that.

I pulled this list of WWI Inspector names off the web years ago. It is the only reference I have ever seen that lists several of the inspectors by name. They quote source material.
Ron

Thor · 07-11-2017, 12:42 PM

Pretty nice, not much holster wear on front of the frame rails, sideplate island, and muzzle band sides. Sweet

4 Scale · 07-11-2017, 12:50 PM

A nice Luger, congratulations.

As far as it being a bring-back or not, I asked a similar question awhile back regarding non-import stamped military Lugers. Ed Tinker advised that lack of an import stamp does not prove it was a bring-back, although it could be. Apparently import stamps were not required until the 1960s on former military pistols.

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...gers-come-from

07-10-2017, 07:49 PM	#1
AllenArmory User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	1915 DWM - New member from Texas Hello all. I just purchased my first Luger and would like some information on it. I know it's a 1915 DWM and the numbers seem to all match. I haven't disassembled it, though. Pics to follow. Attached Thumbnails

07-10-2017, 07:51 PM	#2
AllenArmory User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	More pics Attached Thumbnails

07-10-2017, 07:52 PM	#3
AllenArmory User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Even more... Attached Thumbnails

07-10-2017, 07:59 PM	#4
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	Welcome, decent looking 1915 DWM. I suggest reading the stickies for info, and then if you have more questions you can ask moe specific questions. I don't see anything unusual. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-10-2017, 08:58 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	Allen, I presume from gunboards? Welcome to this forum What I see is an army 1915 DWM made Luger, no unit marks and did not go into police service. __________________ 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

07-10-2017, 09:33 PM	#6
AllenArmory User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Edward, I'm on other gun forums, but I don't think gunboards is one of them. I almost forgot the holster: Attached Thumbnails

07-10-2017, 09:34 PM	#7
AllenArmory User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Here's what I know so far from browsing this site for the last three days: Pistol was made by DWM, under German Military Contract. Has military barrel proof and receiver proof. Receiver inspection/acceptance stamps are S E S Magazine is WWI, DWM Military and by the “+” means it’s a spare mag. S/N doesn’t match the pistol. I have no idea about the holster. Questions: What does S E S mean on the right side receiver? There are no import marks. Can I assume this was a bring-back? There is a J engraved in the right side grip. I assume this was done after the pistol left the service? What would be the approximate value of this pistol? Value of holster? Would you consider this a collector or shooter? I do plan to shoot it. Do I need to take it apart for this question to be answered? Thanks! AllenArmory

07-10-2017, 11:07 PM	#8
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	Your Questions followed by some answers/opinions: What does S E S mean on the right side receiver? Inspectors initials applied at various points in mfg. and after proofing. This is covered in the stickys. There are no import marks. Can I assume this was a bring-back? yes There is a J engraved in the right side grip. I assume this was done after the pistol left the service? yes What would be the approximate value of this pistol? Check online sales Value of holster? Not much, looks to be aftermarket or ?? not German WWI military Would you consider this a collector or shooter? I do plan to shoot it. Do I need to take it apart for this question to be answered? You need to take it apart to clean it and inspect the workings, and to lubricate it. Collector or shooter- yes and yes- if you want to. If you want to share what you paid, we can say good or bad on the deal- many of us don't do "valuations", it makes no one happy and one is never correct- There are just too many variables and every one has an opinion. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-10-2017, 11:51 PM	#9
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Hi Glenn, Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your Luger. There is quite a bit to learn about Lugers, and I hope you'll enjoy the ride! I maintain the FAQ document for Lugerforum, and I think you'll find the reference material gathered there quite useful. Here's a direct link to the post. Download the PDF file(s). http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121 __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

07-11-2017, 12:21 AM	#10
AllenArmory User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yes, I appreciate the FAQ document you've put together. I've looked it over twice and can't find what the letters S-E-S mean. Can you enlighten me? The pistol was listed at $1299 at the local Cabela's in their "gun library." After applying Cabela's points that I had saved up, my out the door price was just over $500.

07-11-2017, 12:31 AM	#11
AllenArmory User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	More specifically, I know that S-E-S are proof stamps, but is there a way to tie them to a proofing officer or his staff?

07-11-2017, 10:21 AM	#13
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I agree with the last above statement that these Crown over a letter are inspector's markings, applied at various stages of construction, not test firing proofs, which are the stylized eagle on the barrel, receiver and breech block. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

07-11-2017, 12:42 PM	#15
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Pretty nice, not much holster wear on front of the frame rails, sideplate island, and muzzle band sides. Sweet __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

07-11-2017, 12:50 PM	#16
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	A nice Luger, congratulations. As far as it being a bring-back or not, I asked a similar question awhile back regarding non-import stamped military Lugers. Ed Tinker advised that lack of an import stamp does not prove it was a bring-back, although it could be. Apparently import stamps were not required until the 1960s on former military pistols. http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...gers-come-from