Mystery Luger

[boquetesteve]

Good Morning. I'm a real newbie to Lugers so be gentle. I have been scouring the internet trying to learn as much as I can about my Dad's Luger and the more information I find, the more comfortable I am about this pistol.

A little history: This pistol is one of eleven that my Dad left Marseilles, France with on the troop ship. Unfortunately, he wasn't a very good poker player and lost all but this one. He died very young (63) and we never really discussed this Luger in enough detail for me to know what I have. I do know that this one had some particular significance because he slept with it on the troop ship. Wouldn't let it out of his sight. His initials (RC) are scratched into the back of the holster.

The dude, as we all called him, was in the 101st Airborne (the whole Band of Brothers thing), and jumped into Normandy on D-Day, did Bastogne, a combat jump into Holland and also Hitlers headquarters in Berchtisgatten (SP?). From Hitler's Headquarters (the Eagles Nest) I have framed in my office a piece of Hitler's personal stationary superimposed by a newspaper article about my Dad's Bronze Star, Croix de Guerre, etc. He now rests peacefully in Arlington National Cemetery. Because of his being in the Eagle's Nest, I have often wondered if there is something special about his Luger.

Here's the deal...There is no serial number anywhere. It has the 8,83 stamped under the barrel, it has the witness marks where they should be, it is a DWM and it is stamped 1910. It has a 48 stamped just aft of the rear sight, the 48 is stamped inside both grips and inside the breech. There are no numbers anywhere else such as the side plate, etc. I have two magazines. One is stamped with some kind of symbol and the number 655 and is in very good condition. It has an alloy base plug. The other has the number 2824 and the script "a" stamped on the wood base plug. The holster is in what I would consider fair to good condition given its age. Between the belt loops it is stamped (faintly) DLU 1941. It is also stamped in large letters P.08. The tool is there and in good condition.

I know for a fact that this pistol has never been torn down or had parts replaced since the War. Plus, the Dude died (in 1981) way before the internet which has made the flow of information and parts readily available. This pistol stayed put away and untouched until he gave it to me after I came home from the service back in '69. I have never done anything more than look at it once in a while. It appears to be in pretty good condition for its age and the fact that we haven't done anything to it including not cleaning it. Now I want to try to learn as much about it as I can.

I'm curious about why this one was so special to the Dude. Was it from Hitler's headquarters? Or was it just that it was the last one and he dared not bet it on a poker hand? I'll probably never know. Why no serial numbers? BTW, the left side grip is intact...no million dollar chip.

Anybody have any thoughts as to what I might have? The value is not important as this baby won't leave the family and will probably not be fired in the future.

Should I post some pictures?

I would appreciate any thoughts you all might have.

Best Regards,
Steve Clarke