1918 dwm questions

A289pony · 07-27-2014, 09:52 PM

My father recently showed me his luger and wanted more info about it and value I looked on the this site it is dated 1918 and have proof mark #15 from this forums proof page the the serial number is 2752 with no suffixs and all the numbers I found on it match including one of the magazines the finish on the luger is almost perfect thanks for any help you guys can offer

Edward Tinker · 07-27-2014, 10:03 PM

hello and welcome to the forum. take a breath and we'll figure it out

I am not sure which one is #15 but more important is, if it matches internally and what markings are on the matching mag. Number only? Number and a 1 or 2 below it or a + ?

Photos would help much

Ed

A289pony · 07-27-2014, 10:09 PM

Here are the pictures I have

A289pony · 07-27-2014, 10:11 PM

Another

A289pony · 07-27-2014, 10:13 PM

Another1

A289pony · 07-27-2014, 10:14 PM

Last 1

Edward Tinker · 07-27-2014, 10:19 PM

It appears reblued in the first picture, the rest do not? It is for sure, a 1918 Army DWM that went into police service (has what is called a sear safety on the sideplate) - it is possible it was 'refinished' by them - but we'd need more pictures to see if even if it is reblued.

Value is determined by a lot of things - if reblued, than a 'shooter' price of $600-$800

If not reblued than with matching mag, than about $1300-$1800 - extra mag is about $100 extra or so

A289pony · 07-27-2014, 10:29 PM

How can you tell if it was reblued I do not have any more good pictures and my father lives 10 hours away and his camera does not even come close to a quality photo he has 2 other mags with it but no numbers on those thanks a lot for your help

alanint · 07-28-2014, 06:43 AM

It was definitely reblued when put into police service. The "1918" has lost its crisp edges and the blue is not a rust blue. The sear safety rivet and toggle retaining pin even look blued. Given the norms of the time, strawed parts were kept strawed.

Look at the under-barrel serial numbers and see if there are "halos" around them. If they have halos, I might have to amend my opinion, but based on the images, I say reblue.

The magazine numbers also appear forced, (again for police service) and look like they were stamped over previous numbers.

Given the police service context, I don't find these changes as devastating to value as others might. They are historic changes that have a legitimate history and reasoning behind them.

Geo99 · 07-31-2014, 01:45 AM

I agree with Alan - it is reblued.
Mag is force matched. If it is a police restamp mag, where is the 1 or 2 (or 3)?

Are there any strawed parts still on it? Right side of take down lever looks blued.

siegersallee · 08-01-2014, 06:02 AM

Yes, totally agree that the luger is a re-blue job.

As far as value, my thoughts are that a re-blued luger has some value; but, the value is derived from that fact that it is a luger not, that it is a collectible luger.

I would put its value below $1000.00. How far below depends on the locale and the buyer.

Geo99, how can you tell it is a forced matched mag? What is the give away out?

Richard

John Sabato · 08-01-2014, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo99

Mag is force matched. If it is a police restamp mag, where is the 1 or 2 (or 3)?

The magazine would have a "1" "2" "3" stamped below the serial number if the mag were original on a police issue weapon to indicate if it was the primary, or spare magazine. This mag has no such marking.

DavidJayUden · 08-01-2014, 06:37 PM

Pony:
Is there a suffix letter beneath the full serial number on the front of the frame?
dju

07-27-2014, 10:03 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	hello and welcome to the forum. take a breath and we'll figure it out I am not sure which one is #15 but more important is, if it matches internally and what markings are on the matching mag. Number only? Number and a 1 or 2 below it or a + ? Photos would help much Ed __________________ 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

07-27-2014, 10:09 PM	#3
A289pony User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here are the pictures I have Attached Thumbnails

07-27-2014, 10:11 PM	#4
A289pony User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another Attached Thumbnails

07-27-2014, 10:13 PM	#5
A289pony User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another1 Attached Thumbnails

07-27-2014, 10:14 PM	#6
A289pony User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Last 1 Attached Thumbnails

07-27-2014, 09:52 PM	#1
A289pony User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1918 dwm questions My father recently showed me his luger and wanted more info about it and value I looked on the this site it is dated 1918 and have proof mark #15 from this forums proof page the the serial number is 2752 with no suffixs and all the numbers I found on it match including one of the magazines the finish on the luger is almost perfect thanks for any help you guys can offer

07-27-2014, 10:19 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	It appears reblued in the first picture, the rest do not? It is for sure, a 1918 Army DWM that went into police service (has what is called a sear safety on the sideplate) - it is possible it was 'refinished' by them - but we'd need more pictures to see if even if it is reblued. Value is determined by a lot of things - if reblued, than a 'shooter' price of $600-$800 If not reblued than with matching mag, than about $1300-$1800 - extra mag is about $100 extra or so __________________ 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

07-27-2014, 10:29 PM	#8
A289pony User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How can you tell if it was reblued I do not have any more good pictures and my father lives 10 hours away and his camera does not even come close to a quality photo he has 2 other mags with it but no numbers on those thanks a lot for your help

07-28-2014, 06:43 AM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	It was definitely reblued when put into police service. The "1918" has lost its crisp edges and the blue is not a rust blue. The sear safety rivet and toggle retaining pin even look blued. Given the norms of the time, strawed parts were kept strawed. Look at the under-barrel serial numbers and see if there are "halos" around them. If they have halos, I might have to amend my opinion, but based on the images, I say reblue. The magazine numbers also appear forced, (again for police service) and look like they were stamped over previous numbers. Given the police service context, I don't find these changes as devastating to value as others might. They are historic changes that have a legitimate history and reasoning behind them.

07-31-2014, 01:45 AM	#10
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	I agree with Alan - it is reblued. Mag is force matched. If it is a police restamp mag, where is the 1 or 2 (or 3)? Are there any strawed parts still on it? Right side of take down lever looks blued. __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

08-01-2014, 06:02 AM	#11
siegersallee User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 292 Thanks: 105 Thanked 57 Times in 34 Posts	Yes, totally agree that the luger is a re-blue job. As far as value, my thoughts are that a re-blued luger has some value; but, the value is derived from that fact that it is a luger not, that it is a collectible luger. I would put its value below $1000.00. How far below depends on the locale and the buyer. Geo99, how can you tell it is a forced matched mag? What is the give away out? Richard __________________ "Für Gott, Kaiser, und Vaterland" -seeking: Erfrut Mag 1229 (no script)

08-01-2014, 06:37 PM	#13
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Pony: Is there a suffix letter beneath the full serial number on the front of the frame? dju