Snail Drum Mag

04-04-2002, 08:10 PM

Years ago my father passed on to me what I now know as a Snail Drum Mag and a 1914 DMW Artillery Luger. The Luger is in 9mm. When I tried to load the Snail Drum Mag with 9mm ammo it seems as if it is too long and will not load into the mag. What do I have? and is it of any value?

tom · 04-04-2002, 09:06 PM

The mag is worth from $800-1300 depending on condition, etc. To load these, you need a loading tool unless you have the patience of Job.

Tom

Lonnie Zimmerman · 04-04-2002, 11:19 PM

K.Don; a very desirable combination, to say the least!! You probably can"t load more than 10 or 12 rounds into it without a loader. I load handloads into mine with an oal of 1.150 and have no problems. Factory ammo is about 1.140, so I don"t know what your problem can be.

Lonnie

04-05-2002, 03:37 PM

I have a similar rig with a 1918. The drum takes time to load by hand but can be done. Turn the handle one rotation and lock it in place. Then you can drop in 8 rounds. (They may seem longer than the clip but once the spring is wound, they fit fine) Hold the drum firmly! Do not let it go! Wind another rotation and lock in place, add 8 rounds. Continue until loaded. When you are down the range you can pull the trigger as fast as you want and the bullets will fly!! It is really fun. My rig has the shoulder stock which turns a few heads..... have a good time....

04-08-2002, 02:16 AM

If anybody out there happens to wish to part with a loading tool. I would be quite interested. This would well complete my First Luger: a DWM 1917 Artillery rig with snail drum mag.

I heard that copies of the loading tool exist and are quite nice.

Has anybody seen both the original and the copy?

John Sabato · 04-08-2002, 11:06 AM

They aren't inexpensive, but a Trommelmagazine, a loading tool, and and UNLOADING tool are up for auction there.

Here is the photo of the loading tool.

Bon Chance!

-John Sabato

http://www.gunbroker.com/pixhost/200..._loadright.JPG

04-08-2002, 06:35 PM

Ron Wood · 04-08-2002, 11:39 PM

Tom Heller has a nice repro loader at about 1/3 the price of an original.

04-09-2002, 07:01 AM

Thanks Ron.

I will contact Tom tonight.

Rgds,

Alain

kidvett · 04-09-2002, 03:54 PM

I cannot say what copies of the loading tool are like but I do have a copy ( reproduction ) of the 2nd desing snail magazine that looks like the original. It is functionnal only with 7-8 rounds, the bluing is more blue than black, but it is correct for DISPLAY ONLY. Maker unknown. Sorry that I dont have pics of it.

04-04-2002, 08:10 PM	#1
K. Don Guest Posts: n/a	Snail Drum Mag Years ago my father passed on to me what I now know as a Snail Drum Mag and a 1914 DMW Artillery Luger. The Luger is in 9mm. When I tried to load the Snail Drum Mag with 9mm ammo it seems as if it is too long and will not load into the mag. What do I have? and is it of any value?

04-04-2002, 09:06 PM	#2
tom User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 269 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Snail Drum Mag The mag is worth from $800-1300 depending on condition, etc. To load these, you need a loading tool unless you have the patience of Job. Tom

04-04-2002, 11:19 PM	#3
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Snail Drum Mag K.Don; a very desirable combination, to say the least!! You probably can"t load more than 10 or 12 rounds into it without a loader. I load handloads into mine with an oal of 1.150 and have no problems. Factory ammo is about 1.140, so I don"t know what your problem can be. Lonnie

04-05-2002, 03:37 PM	#4
MarcC Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Snail Drum Mag I have a similar rig with a 1918. The drum takes time to load by hand but can be done. Turn the handle one rotation and lock it in place. Then you can drop in 8 rounds. (They may seem longer than the clip but once the spring is wound, they fit fine) Hold the drum firmly! Do not let it go! Wind another rotation and lock in place, add 8 rounds. Continue until loaded. When you are down the range you can pull the trigger as fast as you want and the bullets will fly!! It is really fun. My rig has the shoulder stock which turns a few heads..... have a good time....

04-08-2002, 02:16 AM	#5
alain capel Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Snail Drum Mag If anybody out there happens to wish to part with a loading tool. I would be quite interested. This would well complete my First Luger: a DWM 1917 Artillery rig with snail drum mag. I heard that copies of the loading tool exist and are quite nice. Has anybody seen both the original and the copy?

04-08-2002, 11:06 AM	#6
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	Alain! Check Gunbroker.com to find one. They aren't inexpensive, but a Trommelmagazine, a loading tool, and and UNLOADING tool are up for auction there. Here is the photo of the loading tool. Bon Chance! -John Sabato http://www.gunbroker.com/pixhost/200..._loadright.JPG

04-08-2002, 06:35 PM	#7
alain capel Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks a lot John for the info (EOM) (EOM)

04-08-2002, 11:39 PM	#8
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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,096 Times in 1,676 Posts	Re: Thanks a lot John for the info Tom Heller has a nice repro loader at about 1/3 the price of an original.

04-09-2002, 07:01 AM	#9
alain capel Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks Ron ! Thanks Ron. I will contact Tom tonight. Rgds, Alain

04-09-2002, 03:54 PM	#10
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Info to Alain I cannot say what copies of the loading tool are like but I do have a copy ( reproduction ) of the 2nd desing snail magazine that looks like the original. It is functionnal only with 7-8 rounds, the bluing is more blue than black, but it is correct for DISPLAY ONLY. Maker unknown. Sorry that I dont have pics of it.