Comments and info on my 1915 DWM appreciated

texas1 · 01-25-2011, 03:39 AM

Well i finally got some pics of my 1915 DWM Luger and actually figured out how to post the pics in the album section. I'd really appreciate any and all comments good or bad and any info i could get about the markings. I paid $1400 at a collector gun shop, i love the gun and will never sell it but if anyone could tell by the pics if i got hosed or if that was a fair price i'd be interested in thier opinion. I haven't fired it and probably never will but i did take it down and clean it and it appears to be in good working order. Thanks again for any comments or info you can give me. I'd really like to know as much as possible about it and will be reading the forum as time permits but any headstart one of the more knowledgable people on the board can give me would make for a good starting point.

Edward Tinker · 01-25-2011, 04:15 AM

Joe, what kind of information are you looking for?

I can look up tonight approx how many were made, folks might like to know the suffix of the 1915.

The war had just started the year before, so lugers were still being made very well.

The album section works well, although here in the posting is even better

I think you did fine on your price, its got some freckling, but overall a very nice gun.

Ed

texas1 · 01-25-2011, 01:45 PM

Hi Ed,
Basicly i was wanting to find out things like # made, rarity or collectability of this model and year, was this a GI bring back or imported. Where would an import mark be and look like? You said people might be interested in the suffix of the 1915, where would i find that at? Is it a number or one of the designs stamped in it? Is there a way to find out what each design means and significance of the locations they are on the gun? Oh and hate to ask another stupid question but you said it had some "freckling" could you explain that term? Really appreciate you taking a look at my new prize , feel better hearing i didnt get hosed on the price and looking forward to learning the history and ins and outs of this and other Lugers !

Thanks again
Joe

spartacus38 · 01-25-2011, 02:02 PM

Hi Joe,
Looks like you paid a fair price.
Bob

alanint · 01-25-2011, 05:05 PM

Welcome Joe!
The suffix is a cursive letter, which follows the serial number on most guns. You will find it under the serial number on the front of the gun's frame, under the barrel. If there is no letter then your gun comes from the first 10.000 made.

Import marks are usually stamped somewhere conspicous and will usually be an abreviated name and US state of the company which imported the gun. These will be obviously new and would stand out right away. Most are found on the underside of the barrel.

"Freckling" refers to the little spots of rust or blemishes found throughtout your gun's finish. Your finish is really outstanding aside from the freckles, indicating that although the gun was cared for, it was exposed to minor moisture at times, causing these blemishes. They drop the gun's value somewhat.

Hope this helps

texas1 · 01-26-2011, 12:23 AM

Thanks alanint !
Well i had to break out the magnifier glass, guess my eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be , i found a cursive "C" under the serial number on the underside of the barrel. Anyway to find out how many were produced in 1915? I didn't find any signs of an Import mark, so i guess that verifies what i was told when i purchased it as it being a GI bring back. I'd love to know the history and story behind the GI that brought it back but i'm sure that story went to the grave with the original owner. Half the fun of owning one of these historic guns is trying to uncover it's past, plus the "coolness" factor it adds to my safe when i open it and see it displayed under the lights

FNorm · 01-26-2011, 08:46 AM

Serial number range: 54-8498L from "Central Powers Pistols". Estimated 105,000 made.

FN

Hugo Borchardt · 01-26-2011, 12:12 PM

Congratulations! Great first Luger! If only she could tell you her story.

Clark

01-25-2011, 03:39 AM	#1
texas1 User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Deer Park , Texas Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Comments and info on my 1915 DWM appreciated Well i finally got some pics of my 1915 DWM Luger and actually figured out how to post the pics in the album section. I'd really appreciate any and all comments good or bad and any info i could get about the markings. I paid $1400 at a collector gun shop, i love the gun and will never sell it but if anyone could tell by the pics if i got hosed or if that was a fair price i'd be interested in thier opinion. I haven't fired it and probably never will but i did take it down and clean it and it appears to be in good working order. Thanks again for any comments or info you can give me. I'd really like to know as much as possible about it and will be reading the forum as time permits but any headstart one of the more knowledgable people on the board can give me would make for a good starting point.

01-25-2011, 04:15 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	Joe, what kind of information are you looking for? I can look up tonight approx how many were made, folks might like to know the suffix of the 1915. The war had just started the year before, so lugers were still being made very well. The album section works well, although here in the posting is even better I think you did fine on your price, its got some freckling, but overall a very nice gun. Ed __________________ 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

01-26-2011, 12:12 PM	#8
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 372 Thanks: 340 Thanked 143 Times in 48 Posts	Congratulations! Great first Luger! If only she could tell you her story. Clark __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm

01-25-2011, 01:45 PM	#3
texas1 User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Deer Park , Texas Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Ed, Basicly i was wanting to find out things like # made, rarity or collectability of this model and year, was this a GI bring back or imported. Where would an import mark be and look like? You said people might be interested in the suffix of the 1915, where would i find that at? Is it a number or one of the designs stamped in it? Is there a way to find out what each design means and significance of the locations they are on the gun? Oh and hate to ask another stupid question but you said it had some "freckling" could you explain that term? Really appreciate you taking a look at my new prize , feel better hearing i didnt get hosed on the price and looking forward to learning the history and ins and outs of this and other Lugers ! Thanks again Joe

01-25-2011, 02:02 PM	#4
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	Hi Joe, Looks like you paid a fair price. Bob

01-25-2011, 05:05 PM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Welcome Joe! The suffix is a cursive letter, which follows the serial number on most guns. You will find it under the serial number on the front of the gun's frame, under the barrel. If there is no letter then your gun comes from the first 10.000 made. Import marks are usually stamped somewhere conspicous and will usually be an abreviated name and US state of the company which imported the gun. These will be obviously new and would stand out right away. Most are found on the underside of the barrel. "Freckling" refers to the little spots of rust or blemishes found throughtout your gun's finish. Your finish is really outstanding aside from the freckles, indicating that although the gun was cared for, it was exposed to minor moisture at times, causing these blemishes. They drop the gun's value somewhat. Hope this helps

01-26-2011, 12:23 AM	#6
texas1 User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Deer Park , Texas Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks alanint ! Well i had to break out the magnifier glass, guess my eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be , i found a cursive "C" under the serial number on the underside of the barrel. Anyway to find out how many were produced in 1915? I didn't find any signs of an Import mark, so i guess that verifies what i was told when i purchased it as it being a GI bring back. I'd love to know the history and story behind the GI that brought it back but i'm sure that story went to the grave with the original owner. Half the fun of owning one of these historic guns is trying to uncover it's past, plus the "coolness" factor it adds to my safe when i open it and see it displayed under the lights

01-26-2011, 08:46 AM	#7
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Serial number range: 54-8498L from "Central Powers Pistols". Estimated 105,000 made. FN