picture test early luger

Ragnar · 05-13-2019, 09:48 PM

See if this worked?

Ragnar · 05-13-2019, 09:58 PM

Good it did it did!

Ron Wood · 05-13-2019, 10:47 PM

Glad it did! That is an odd piece...need more photos!
Ron

mrerick · 05-14-2019, 08:23 AM

Try taking your photos without flash and in soft indirect shaded sunlight. They will look better.

Use a camera with adjustable focus and a tripod You'll need to get closer to show details.

Marc

Ragnar · 05-14-2019, 09:37 AM

will do guys,yes it’s a bit of a odd duck.
I got this piece from my brothers estate so I’m not really a collector of Lugers though I have always wanted one simply because of their history and beautiful design.
I’ll start another thread with some better pictures and hope that I can get some more information on this pistol.
Thanks.

Sergio Natali · 05-14-2019, 12:44 PM

Tried to magnify your picture. That looks like an interesting piece, I'm sure several of us would love to see better close-ups taken in the shade, natural lighting without flash.

Regards.

Ragnar · 05-14-2019, 08:28 PM

Here are a few pictures ,what throws me is the lack of serial numbers and inspection stamp etc. this Luger simply has the DWM scroll on the toggle and the serial number with GERMANY stamped on the frame beneath the barrel.
Maybe disassembled i might find a couple but most pictures I’ve seen seem to show a profusion of stamps lol.
Understand after going through the forum that this should be a very early model with the grip safety and the dished toggle knobs.
Other than that I’m in the dark.
As I said not really a collector and received this piece through my brothers estate so it does have sentimental value.

Ragnar · 05-14-2019, 08:33 PM

A few more!

Ragnar · 05-23-2019, 08:56 PM

today again removed the side plate and now see clearly the inside is stamped with the numeral 8
Actually it’s stamped twice.
I’m therefore assuming it’s original to this Luger as the serial number on the frame under the barrel is 8008. With Germany stamped beneath it.
If you look close the 8 is clearly visible.
But the style of this side plate has me stumped, it was mentioned that it could be a custom made plate but that really makes no sense to me as I’m sure there were replacement plates readily available if one were needed.
It was said by my brother that this could have been a pre production piece meaning the pistol, but just maybe the plate!
Anyone else have any thought on this strange Luger?

Ragnar · 05-23-2019, 09:01 PM

Just realized the picture of the inside of the plate is missing

DonVoigt · 05-23-2019, 11:05 PM

Side plate may have an "8", but it is not original DWM manufacture.
By serial 8008, production was well established.

Your example has been significantly buffed and refinished, probably removed a few numbers.
The original side plate would have had a number along the bottom edge.
The take down lever should have a number on the bottom also.
The mid toggle link may have a number on the bottom inside, the breech block should also have a number; the number on the rear of the toggle may have been polished away- but I think I can still see residual numbers there.

HerrKaiser · 05-23-2019, 11:31 PM

And those residual numbers do not match. Looks like an 8 or a 3 followed by a 5.

Ragnar · 05-26-2019, 01:12 PM

Seeing as this seems to be a non- matching numbers gun I’m thinking of replacing the side plate with a authentic DWM plate that would at least give it a correct look.
Just out of curiosity what would a ballpark value on this Luger be?
I did field strip it and found a number 76 on the bottom of the barrel extension. Also the recoil spring is the early type not the coil spring.
Oh,and the grips were correctly numbered 08.

k98mike · 05-26-2019, 02:20 PM

I'm really curious about the side plate- I've never seen any Luger with one like that. I hope someone on the forum has an answer, they probably will.

Ragnar · 05-26-2019, 02:42 PM

Be assured that if I do replace that plate I will keep this custom made one!

Karl · 05-26-2019, 06:59 PM

Ragner,

A regular P-08 side plate will fit an M1900, however, the trigger lever in the side plate is different and will not fit. In my opinion, if the "custom" side plate works OK leave it as is.

KFS

Ragnar · 05-27-2019, 11:43 AM

actually haven’t attempted to fire this piece yet, though cocking and dry firing produces a click. I’m going to have it inspected first.

HerrKaiser · 05-27-2019, 11:51 AM

Be careful dry firing it without a snap cap in it. The mechanism is fairly robust but the firing pin is probably at least 113 years old and could easily break that way. Also, before you shoot it, make sure you know which caliber it’s chambered for.

Ragnar · 05-27-2019, 02:04 PM

That’s a question that’s been going through my mind assumed it was 9mm simply cuz I found 5 box’s of 9mm Luger ammo in the gun safe with the piece but on reading and finding the different calibers produce had me wondering and making sure that when I have it inspected will be one of my first questions’ and yes know excess dry snapping’s not healthy for any firearm.

rhuff · 05-27-2019, 02:28 PM

If you look in the stickys, there is a real simple way to tell whether the caliber is 7.65Para, or 9mm Para.

05-13-2019, 09:48 PM	#1
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	picture test early luger See if this worked? Attached Thumbnails

05-13-2019, 10:47 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	Glad it did! That is an odd piece...need more photos! Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-14-2019, 08:23 AM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Try taking your photos without flash and in soft indirect shaded sunlight. They will look better. Use a camera with adjustable focus and a tripod You'll need to get closer to show details. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

05-14-2019, 12:44 PM	#6
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	Tried to magnify your picture. That looks like an interesting piece, I'm sure several of us would love to see better close-ups taken in the shade, natural lighting without flash. Regards. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

05-14-2019, 08:28 PM	#7
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Here are a few pictures ,what throws me is the lack of serial numbers and inspection stamp etc. this Luger simply has the DWM scroll on the toggle and the serial number with GERMANY stamped on the frame beneath the barrel. Maybe disassembled i might find a couple but most pictures I’ve seen seem to show a profusion of stamps lol. Understand after going through the forum that this should be a very early model with the grip safety and the dished toggle knobs. Other than that I’m in the dark. As I said not really a collector and received this piece through my brothers estate so it does have sentimental value. Attached Thumbnails

05-13-2019, 09:58 PM	#2
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Good it did it did!

05-14-2019, 09:37 AM	#5
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	will do guys,yes it’s a bit of a odd duck. I got this piece from my brothers estate so I’m not really a collector of Lugers though I have always wanted one simply because of their history and beautiful design. I’ll start another thread with some better pictures and hope that I can get some more information on this pistol. Thanks.

05-14-2019, 08:33 PM	#8
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	A few more! Attached Thumbnails

05-23-2019, 08:56 PM	#9
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	today again removed the side plate and now see clearly the inside is stamped with the numeral 8 Actually it’s stamped twice. I’m therefore assuming it’s original to this Luger as the serial number on the frame under the barrel is 8008. With Germany stamped beneath it. If you look close the 8 is clearly visible. But the style of this side plate has me stumped, it was mentioned that it could be a custom made plate but that really makes no sense to me as I’m sure there were replacement plates readily available if one were needed. It was said by my brother that this could have been a pre production piece meaning the pistol, but just maybe the plate! Anyone else have any thought on this strange Luger?

05-23-2019, 09:01 PM	#10
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Just realized the picture of the inside of the plate is missing Attached Thumbnails

05-23-2019, 11:05 PM	#11
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	Side plate may have an "8", but it is not original DWM manufacture. By serial 8008, production was well established. Your example has been significantly buffed and refinished, probably removed a few numbers. The original side plate would have had a number along the bottom edge. The take down lever should have a number on the bottom also. The mid toggle link may have a number on the bottom inside, the breech block should also have a number; the number on the rear of the toggle may have been polished away- but I think I can still see residual numbers there. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

05-23-2019, 11:31 PM	#12
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 800 Thanks: 750 Thanked 793 Times in 376 Posts	And those residual numbers do not match. Looks like an 8 or a 3 followed by a 5. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

05-26-2019, 01:12 PM	#13
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Seeing as this seems to be a non- matching numbers gun I’m thinking of replacing the side plate with a authentic DWM plate that would at least give it a correct look. Just out of curiosity what would a ballpark value on this Luger be? I did field strip it and found a number 76 on the bottom of the barrel extension. Also the recoil spring is the early type not the coil spring. Oh,and the grips were correctly numbered 08. Attached Thumbnails

05-26-2019, 02:20 PM	#14
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	Curious I'm really curious about the side plate- I've never seen any Luger with one like that. I hope someone on the forum has an answer, they probably will.

05-26-2019, 02:42 PM	#15
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Be assured that if I do replace that plate I will keep this custom made one!

05-26-2019, 06:59 PM	#16
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 239 Times in 111 Posts	Ragner, A regular P-08 side plate will fit an M1900, however, the trigger lever in the side plate is different and will not fit. In my opinion, if the "custom" side plate works OK leave it as is. KFS

05-27-2019, 11:43 AM	#17
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	actually haven’t attempted to fire this piece yet, though cocking and dry firing produces a click. I’m going to have it inspected first.

05-27-2019, 11:51 AM	#18
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 800 Thanks: 750 Thanked 793 Times in 376 Posts	Be careful dry firing it without a snap cap in it. The mechanism is fairly robust but the firing pin is probably at least 113 years old and could easily break that way. Also, before you shoot it, make sure you know which caliber it’s chambered for. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

05-27-2019, 02:04 PM	#19
Ragnar User Join Date: May 2019 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	That’s a question that’s been going through my mind assumed it was 9mm simply cuz I found 5 box’s of 9mm Luger ammo in the gun safe with the piece but on reading and finding the different calibers produce had me wondering and making sure that when I have it inspected will be one of my first questions’ and yes know excess dry snapping’s not healthy for any firearm.

05-27-2019, 02:28 PM	#20
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	If you look in the stickys, there is a real simple way to tell whether the caliber is 7.65Para, or 9mm Para. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21