1915 DWM Shooter or Collector?

bijj62 · 10-09-2010, 01:28 AM

I have a chance to purchase a 1915 DWM Luger serial number 10xx (no letter) for $1000. All numbers appear to match except magazine. I dont have any pictures but in my opinion I'd guess it at about 65%-70% condiditon. I know without pictures its almost impossible to judge but could it be worth a grand? Also what do the "Imperial" markings look like? THANKS!

Edward Tinker · 10-09-2010, 05:57 AM

It depends on what your 65-70% is

My 65% is a shooter and worth around $600

But, I have seen other folks that say they have a 95% gun and it has major pitting and bluing loss, so beauty is in the eye of the beholder (and pocketbook)

DavidJayUden · 10-09-2010, 07:25 AM

It needs to be pretty good to be in the $1000 range. As in all matching except mag, good bluing, functional, not messed with. So the worth on this one will come down to a hands on inspection. Look for re-numbers over the chamber, sear safety bar, unit markings on the grip strap, etc. Take it apart carefully to check internal #s, including grips. Also does it include holster, spare mags, as extras do add value? Undocumented beer stories about it's history do not.
Good pictures to us will help, or study up a bit before you "pays you money".
Good luck;
dju

Curly1 · 10-09-2010, 10:24 AM

Yea pics will let us give you a better idea. But sounds like a shooter and not worth $1000 at least to me it wouldn't.go look on Gunbroker and Auction arms and see what they are asking for a starting bid for one in similar condition.

bijj62 · 10-09-2010, 11:17 AM

Thanks for the response's guys. It is just the gun no holster or spare mag. It had an aluminum bottom mag. I'll see if he will let me take some pictures and post them. The serial number was 1001 and the seller thought that that would add to the value (being somewhat low). It seemed to be in fair shape no pitting or rust but it had quite a bit of bluing loss putting it in the 65% range IMO. Thanks again for the input

whcoyote · 10-11-2010, 09:47 PM

An aluminum-bottom mag is a WWII mag. A 1915 DWM P.08 should be equipped with a wood-bottom mag, even if the numbers don't match.
Bob

Edward Tinker · 10-11-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bijj62

... The serial number was 1001 and the seller thought that that would add to the value (being somewhat low). ....

well, its number is actually not low, every 10,000 they started at 1 again, but with a new letter (or suffix), look on the front of the frame. If it has say, a letter f, then its the 70,000+ gun made THAT year....

Ed

DavidJayUden · 10-11-2010, 10:53 PM

It's funny how a seller can find the most obscure reason to place their gun on some sort of a pedistal. I was buying Colt 1911's at one time and absolutely no one had just a 1911, they were all "special" (more $) because of some scratching on the side...
dju

bijj62 · 10-12-2010, 12:19 PM

This has no letter by ther serial number so does that mean only 1000 were made before it that year? I personally dont think that would have any significance does it? I would imagine I could get it a little cheaper but not sure how much cheaper

whcoyote · 10-14-2010, 06:12 PM

If your pistol has no letter suffix, it means it was in the first 9,999 pistols made that year. Imperial Lugers had a maximum of four numerals in the serial numbers, sometimes followed by an alpha character. The method of numbering was 1-9999, followed by 1a-9999a, 1b-9999b, 1c-9999c and so on. Each year they started over at 1. So, in a year where they made 60,000 pistols, the alpha suffix would have gone to the e suffix.
Bob

10-09-2010, 01:28 AM	#1
bijj62 User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1915 DWM Shooter or Collector? I have a chance to purchase a 1915 DWM Luger serial number 10xx (no letter) for $1000. All numbers appear to match except magazine. I dont have any pictures but in my opinion I'd guess it at about 65%-70% condiditon. I know without pictures its almost impossible to judge but could it be worth a grand? Also what do the "Imperial" markings look like? THANKS!

10-09-2010, 05:57 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,987 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	It depends on what your 65-70% is My 65% is a shooter and worth around $600 But, I have seen other folks that say they have a 95% gun and it has major pitting and bluing loss, so beauty is in the eye of the beholder (and pocketbook) __________________ 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

10-09-2010, 10:24 AM	#4
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,229 Thanks: 111 Thanked 702 Times in 364 Posts	Yea pics will let us give you a better idea. But sounds like a shooter and not worth $1000 at least to me it wouldn't.go look on Gunbroker and Auction arms and see what they are asking for a starting bid for one in similar condition. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

10-09-2010, 07:25 AM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	It needs to be pretty good to be in the $1000 range. As in all matching except mag, good bluing, functional, not messed with. So the worth on this one will come down to a hands on inspection. Look for re-numbers over the chamber, sear safety bar, unit markings on the grip strap, etc. Take it apart carefully to check internal #s, including grips. Also does it include holster, spare mags, as extras do add value? Undocumented beer stories about it's history do not. Good pictures to us will help, or study up a bit before you "pays you money". Good luck; dju

10-09-2010, 11:17 AM	#5
bijj62 User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the response's guys. It is just the gun no holster or spare mag. It had an aluminum bottom mag. I'll see if he will let me take some pictures and post them. The serial number was 1001 and the seller thought that that would add to the value (being somewhat low). It seemed to be in fair shape no pitting or rust but it had quite a bit of bluing loss putting it in the 65% range IMO. Thanks again for the input

10-11-2010, 09:47 PM	#6
whcoyote User Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	An aluminum-bottom mag is a WWII mag. A 1915 DWM P.08 should be equipped with a wood-bottom mag, even if the numbers don't match. Bob

10-11-2010, 10:53 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	It's funny how a seller can find the most obscure reason to place their gun on some sort of a pedistal. I was buying Colt 1911's at one time and absolutely no one had just a 1911, they were all "special" (more $) because of some scratching on the side... dju

10-12-2010, 12:19 PM	#9
bijj62 User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This has no letter by ther serial number so does that mean only 1000 were made before it that year? I personally dont think that would have any significance does it? I would imagine I could get it a little cheaper but not sure how much cheaper

10-14-2010, 06:12 PM	#10
whcoyote User Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	If your pistol has no letter suffix, it means it was in the first 9,999 pistols made that year. Imperial Lugers had a maximum of four numerals in the serial numbers, sometimes followed by an alpha character. The method of numbering was 1-9999, followed by 1a-9999a, 1b-9999b, 1c-9999c and so on. Each year they started over at 1. So, in a year where they made 60,000 pistols, the alpha suffix would have gone to the e suffix. Bob