Request for Help ID'ing Luger

[bmarshalladams]

My father-in-law returned from the war with a 9mm luger. I am not a collector and my knowledge is limited to what I have learned in a short time from postings on this excellent forum, which leads me to conclude this is a Navy Luger. I can advise that it;

Has a 6 inch barrel
DWM script on togglebolt
Rear sight stamped with 100 and 300 opposite each other
Grip frame stamped WW and 2798
Frame stamped 5216 at six O'clock under barrel
Rear if toggle '16'
Left side of frame behind takedown lever '91'..lever has tiny
marking and number 18
Frame has three proof markings; crown, then two 'M's
with crown on top
Holster/stock lug on rear grip of frame
No color case hardining on trigger or elsewhere

Not sure why so many mis-matching serial numbers. Is this a fairly common variety Luger, or is there anything unusual or special about it?

Thanks in advance for any comments observations.

Marshall

[Ron Wood]

From the photos it looks like it is a legitimate "Model 1906 First Issue Altered" Navy Luger. It has been buffed and reblued and the takedown lever is from another Luger, specifically an Erfurt produced Luger. The "WW 2798" is a property marking indicating that the gun was issued out of the shipyard at Wilhelmshaven (WW=Werft Wilhemshaven).

[bmarshalladams]

Thank you for the quick response Ron....I appreciate it. This is great information!

Marshall

[Norme]

Hi Marshall, Welcome to the forum! You have a very collectible 1906 1st Issue Navy Luger with altered safety. The take down lever is not original, it comes from an Erfurt Luger, as is the side plate, which comes from a DWM Army Luger. The gun has clearly been refinished at some point, but despite these issues it's still a desirable gun. Imperial Navy Lugers led a hard life and they are scarce. Please check the front of the frame, just below the serial number, there is likely a suffix letter a, which is part of the serial number. Regards, Norm

[Ron Wood]

Marshall
Just a couple more obsevations to add as I am sure others will pick up on them. The magazine is from a WWII era Luger...your gun originally had a wooden base magazine. Also you state that the rear sight is marked 100 and 300. I suspect that this is either a typographical error or the number on the sight has been disfigured as the numbers should be 100 and 200.

[Norme]

Hi Marshall, I understand from your brother's post, that this gun came with a holster. Original Imperial Navy holsters are very scarce, and we would love to see photos of yours. Regards, Norm

[bmarshalladams]

Norm;

I will see what I can do to provide a photo of the holster. I live in a different state than where the gun is located. No idea whether the holster is the original or a substitute of an unrelated model.

Thanks,
Marshall

[cirelaw]

Unbelievably Service broke all records for under 8 hours. You both bring our site legitimacy, accuracy with a touch of class!

[bmarshalladams]

Norm;

I finally got photos of the Navy holster you requested. Here are just a few.
I cannot read the print on the back, but it looks like; "_ MEOKAR" and "U_M" but could be way off.
Please advise thoughts regarding applying leather oil or other preservative to this item...I don't know whether to do it, nor what type.

Thanks,
Marshall Adams

[Norme]

Hi Marshall, It's too bad, this was potentially a rare and valuable holster until someone cut the front down, I guess for a "faster draw". The back was altered too, by cutting two slits to make a belt loop. The maker, by the way, was J.M. Eckart, Ulm. Leather preservation is a somewhat controversial subject, most of the experts favor Connolly's Hide Care. Regards, Norm

[bmarshalladams]

Thanks Norme for the quick reply....only wish the news was better regarding the holster. At least now I know.

The gun showed several serial numbers on the exterior, but I did not see any suffixes below or behind any of them.

Thanks again.
Marshall

[Norme]

Hi Marshall, The suffix, if present, can only be found in two places, under the barrel and on the front of the frame (see photos). Regards, Norm