Luger identity

wjones239 · 04-04-2014, 01:25 PM

Am interested in a luger but do not know how to determine age or manufacturer. Marks I can see are:
1) Serial # 42485
2) Symbols look like a crown over a B and another crown over U
3)back of receiver R
4) Top has a engraved scroll work which looks like initials

ithacaartist · 04-04-2014, 01:34 PM

Welcome to the forum Walt.

You've given us little information about your Luger, and a good set of pics of it will go the farthest in assessing what it is, etc.

It is numbered in the commercial style, and the crown over U and B are commercial style proof marks. The "initials" you describe are probably DWM, the manufacturer in Berlin up to and including WWI and a bit beyond.

I suggest that you cruise the forum for a while; read about similar pistols; learn more of the terminology/jargon involved; and don't forget to post some pics. The help you seek is here, but it will be a lot easier if you do a little homework to help us help you. In addition, perhaps a moderator will move this thread to the proper section, as it's not germain to this one. Perhaps "new collectors"?

John Sabato · 04-04-2014, 03:53 PM

Moved to the new collector's forum. Site Announcements is to broadcast information to all forum members. It is generally used by the Moderators.

Edward Tinker · 04-04-2014, 09:57 PM

I would read a lot here and then possibly buy a book or two.

You really can spend too much on a luger that is not worth it (many dealers think any luger is rare)...

DavidJayUden · 04-04-2014, 10:08 PM

Sounds like a commercial Luger, probably of DWM mfg. 9mm or .30 cal? If I had to guess I'd lean toward one of the more common commercial Lugers, probably ranging in value from $750 up to $1500. But now I'm really going far out on that limb and must say that we do need pictures to be of real help here.
Looking forward to hearing more info.
dju

MFC · 04-04-2014, 11:07 PM

Hi Walt,
Welcome to the forum.
Dwight Grubers Commercial Database shows that S#42485 would fall in with '1908 Commercials'.
The characteristics of early 1908 Commercials are:

"BUG" proofed... C/B, C/U ,C/G on barrel, C/B, C/U on left side of receiver
DWM on toggle
9mm 4" barrel
No stock lug
No grip safety
Blank chamber

Ben M. · 04-08-2014, 10:31 AM

can you post of foto to show the r at back of receiver you mentioned?

George Anderson · 04-08-2014, 10:48 AM

Early 1908 commercial 9mm.

Sergio Natali · 04-08-2014, 12:31 PM

Walter,

First of all welcome to this forum; probably the initials you mention are the "DWM" monogram, I'm sure if you could post some photos the problem woud be immediately solved.

04-04-2014, 01:25 PM	#1
wjones239 New User Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger identity Am interested in a luger but do not know how to determine age or manufacturer. Marks I can see are: 1) Serial # 42485 2) Symbols look like a crown over a B and another crown over U 3)back of receiver R 4) Top has a engraved scroll work which looks like initials

04-04-2014, 01:34 PM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,284 Thanks: 7,013 Thanked 2,478 Times in 1,320 Posts	Welcome to the forum Walt. You've given us little information about your Luger, and a good set of pics of it will go the farthest in assessing what it is, etc. It is numbered in the commercial style, and the crown over U and B are commercial style proof marks. The "initials" you describe are probably DWM, the manufacturer in Berlin up to and including WWI and a bit beyond. I suggest that you cruise the forum for a while; read about similar pistols; learn more of the terminology/jargon involved; and don't forget to post some pics. The help you seek is here, but it will be a lot easier if you do a little homework to help us help you. In addition, perhaps a moderator will move this thread to the proper section, as it's not germain to this one. Perhaps "new collectors"? __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

04-04-2014, 03:53 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Moved to the new collector's forum. Site Announcements is to broadcast information to all forum members. It is generally used by the Moderators. __________________ 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..."*

04-04-2014, 11:07 PM	#6
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi Walt, Welcome to the forum. Dwight Grubers Commercial Database shows that S#42485 would fall in with '1908 Commercials'. The characteristics of early 1908 Commercials are: "BUG" proofed... C/B, C/U ,C/G on barrel, C/B, C/U on left side of receiver DWM on toggle 9mm 4" barrel No stock lug No grip safety Blank chamber __________________ Mike C.

04-08-2014, 12:31 PM	#9
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Walter, First of all welcome to this forum; probably the initials you mention are the "DWM" monogram, I'm sure if you could post some photos the problem woud be immediately solved. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

04-04-2014, 09:57 PM	#4
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	I would read a lot here and then possibly buy a book or two. You really can spend too much on a luger that is not worth it (many dealers think any luger is rare)... __________________ 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

04-04-2014, 10:08 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Sounds like a commercial Luger, probably of DWM mfg. 9mm or .30 cal? If I had to guess I'd lean toward one of the more common commercial Lugers, probably ranging in value from $750 up to $1500. But now I'm really going far out on that limb and must say that we do need pictures to be of real help here. Looking forward to hearing more info. dju

04-08-2014, 10:31 AM	#7
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 475 Thanks: 83 Thanked 117 Times in 79 Posts	can you post of foto to show the r at back of receiver you mentioned?

04-08-2014, 10:48 AM	#8
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,772 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Early 1908 commercial 9mm.