Luger Breechblock Numbering Question

[Dwight Gruber]

During an email correspondence the question of Luger breechblock numbering on the rear face came up. A DWM u suffix gun was examined with no number on the top or either side, but a number matching the rest of the gun was stamped on the rear face. Another u suffix gun was examined with a matching breechblock number stamped on the left side, and a different number stamped on the rear face. I have seen these numbers before, somebody even asked me about them once and I had no good answer.

I am posting this question in the General Topics Forum because, frankly, I have no idea of how widespread this practice may be among different Luger models.

So, I would like to know what Luger breechblocks are found with numbers stamped on the rear face. Characteristics of interest would include make, model and year if applicable; if the breechblock is stamped on the top or side and if the number is matching; if the rear-face number is matching; what proof is stamped on the breechblock, and if it is on the top or the side.

Thanks for any information anyone may care to post in response. Thanks particularly for everyoneâ??s patience with my data requests.

--Dwight

[Luke]

Dwight -

I will try to find time to document my DWMs in the next couple of weeks, not as a definitive answer to your question, but as valid datapoints.

By the way, I think Tom Heller commented on these markings once, so he might be a good source of information.

Luke

[Ron Smith]

Dwight,



Well, I can field strip one in my sleep now!

The only ones that I found with numbers on bolt face were all Weimars and all Reichswehr contract. Imperials, BKIWs, and my only Mauser didn't have a #.



Date------Ser#------- on bolt face--------other marks

1920......1031b.............95......................31 WaA4 on LS

1921..... 2313b............ 88......................13 WaA on LS

1921.....4538b..............93......................38 WaA4 on LS

1921.....669a................57......................69 WaA4 on LS

1921.....4884a..............33......................84 WaA4 on LS

1921.....8915b..............15......................15 WaA4 on LS

1921.....9517b..............78......................17 WaA4 on LS





Ron

[Edward Tinker]

Ron, fascinating. The u block I got was not numbered on the left of the breechblock, yet was a different number on the rear of the breechblock. I thought it was a mismatch, but it isn't!

I added my info to the the firing pin thread, my data shows most of my police were not marked on the left, yet almost all have a different then the sn on the rear of the breechblock!

ed

[Ron Smith]

Ed,
Yeah it is. None of my reworks had numbers either.

Ron

[Dwight Gruber]

Ron,

Lots of excellent information here. Thanks very much for going to the trouble.

--Dwight

[Lugerdoc]

Dwight, In general most Weimar commerical lugers have unnumered BBs, except for a 2 digit assembly (not serial) number on the rear to the right of the FP retainer. The lugers with 5 digit numeric serials usually have a C/N proof on the left side. On later production, this proof is usually on the left side of the mid toggle link. TH

[Dwight Gruber]

Tom,

Thanks for this (and the comment in the firing pin discussion). Could you expand on the assembly number a bit? I'm familiar with the principle, but why would it be used on Lugers, which are already heavily serial-numbererd? If it has to do with the unnumbered breechblocks, what do the numbers match?--there not being corresponding numbers elsewhere on the guns.

I have a 1918 Erfurt with 44 (not relating to the serial number) stamped underneath the front & rear toggle pieces, and have seen pictures of other Erfurts similarly numbered (different numbers, of course). Are these assembly numbers as well? Are assembly numbers more prevalent on Lugers than we generally recognize?

--Dwight

[wlyon]

Dwight. 1921 S/n 8515, BB 99. 1920 comm. S/N 8025i, BB 96. 1923 comm. S/N 80247, BB 77. 1914 comm S/N 72353 BB N. Bill

[wlyon]

Dwight. Realized I left off the left BB markings. 1921 Correction on S/N 8715 L/S 15, 1920 comm. BB L/S C/N. 1923 Comm.80247.BB L/S 47. 1914 comm72353, BB L/S Hor. N , 53. Bill

[Dwight Gruber]

Bill,

Thanks very much for the extra info.

--Dwight

[Vlim]

Dwight,

1928 KOL Dutch contract. Toggle serialed '11' (last two digits) on side of bolt, bottom of toggle mid-piece and top of toggle rear end.

[Dwight Gruber]

Gerben,

Thanks much.

--Dwight