my profile |
register |
faq |
search upload photo | donate | calendar |
02-22-2013, 11:31 PM | #1 |
New User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Unusual front sight need help I.D.ing
A friend of mine has a 1921 DWM all matching (including barrel) P08. We're trying to figure out why it has this unusual front sight. It appears to be an "Add on" fixed site rather than a sight machined as part of the barrel. Anyone ever seen this type of site? Is it a replacement for a shortened barrel? or ?? Thanks for any help.
|
02-23-2013, 08:18 AM | #2 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Posts: 4,867
Thanks: 1,685
Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts
|
Welcome to the forum.
Someone either turned the original barrel down, (although it does not look like much from the photo. Perhaps not at all) and replaced the original sight tower with a turning which was either silver soldered or threaded on. This was probably done to replace a damaged front sight. This repair/alteration affects your friend's pistol's value and makes it a shooter, rather than a collector piece. What is the barrel's overall length? I ask to determine if it was cut down in any way, as the portion of original barrel showing at the muzzle does not look much smaller than the balance of the barrel's diameter. i |
02-23-2013, 08:56 AM | #3 |
New User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
I'll have to measure it, but it appears to be about 4". Was is possible that it was cut down to meet the treaty of Versaille requirements? Thank you for your reply.
|
02-23-2013, 12:28 PM | #4 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Posts: 4,867
Thanks: 1,685
Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts
|
That would depend on the balance of the gun. We would have to see all the markings, featrures to determine if it was cut down.
You state that it has a 1921 Chamber date. Is there a second date there or just the 1921? Most importantly, what caliber is it? |
02-23-2013, 07:29 PM | #5 |
New User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
It is a 9mm and the 1921 is the only date.
|
02-23-2013, 08:15 PM | #6 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal...
Posts: 8,182
Thanks: 1,400
Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts
|
From the few and out-of-focus pictures it appears to be a home-brew, cut off another pistol or rifle. Sweated or just pressed on. Doesn't look high enough to be of any use in aiming.
Pics of the entire Luger, both sides & top, taken in natural light and in focus (no phone pics) would tell much more.
__________________
I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... |
02-24-2013, 02:23 AM | #7 |
Super Moderator
Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North of Spokane, WA
Posts: 15,933
Thanks: 2,032
Thanked 4,528 Times in 2,091 Posts
|
yes, a 1921 would be a dated gun and after the war, could be for the military, police or export
We would need to know much more, serial number etc. Hard to help with only limited info
__________________
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 |
02-24-2013, 07:59 AM | #8 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Posts: 4,867
Thanks: 1,685
Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts
|
In any event, this is no German Arsenal's work, so any "Treaty of Versailles" theory would be just that, a theory.
This was done by a home gunsmith to replace a broken or damaged front sight tower. |
02-24-2013, 09:26 AM | #9 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal...
Posts: 8,182
Thanks: 1,400
Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts
|
I don't have one to compare it with, but it resembles an M1 Thompson front band + sight...(The military model)...
__________________
I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... |
02-24-2013, 10:45 AM | #10 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Posts: 4,867
Thanks: 1,685
Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts
|
Rich,
WAY too small. A Thompson front sight band would dwarf the rest of this barrel. Also; - They were never made out of brass - They are dovetailed for sight replacement - The front sight blade, especially on the full autos, is so tall as to have made it useless on a Luger. |
02-24-2013, 11:11 AM | #11 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal...
Posts: 8,182
Thanks: 1,400
Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts
|
It's brass???
__________________
I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... |
02-24-2013, 01:33 PM | #12 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Posts: 4,867
Thanks: 1,685
Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts
|
Sure looks like it to me!!
|
02-26-2013, 11:53 AM | #13 |
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 most of the above, but I would want to know if this front sight assy is sodered on or threaded. If the later, it may have been done during it's active military life, for the addition of a silencer, but likely later. I think that I'd rather own a silence ready luger, than a shooter with a terrible looking front sight assy. TH PS: most machinish or gunsmith can heat and remove this sight to solve the puzzle.
|
The following member says Thank You to Lugerdoc for your post: |
02-26-2013, 12:40 PM | #14 |
New User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Great idea. I follow up with better pics. and results.
|
02-26-2013, 01:05 PM | #15 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Posts: 4,867
Thanks: 1,685
Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts
|
Another thought that occurred to me is battle damage. Anyone who has watched videos of guys digging up relics on European battlefields will see the horrendous effect of an artillery or mortar barrage on field equipment.
I have owned both an MP44 and a K98 with schrapnel damage. Not enough damage to render inoperable, but clear splinter damage none the less. I think many unexplainable repairs may be due to this. |
Tags |
1921, barrel, dwm, replacement, sight |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|