1921 Luger

barr44 · 11-15-2011, 09:44 PM

At a recent gun show, I ran across a 1921 DWM luger. The 1921 was stamped over the chamber, so I am thinking it was the manufacturing date. The gun looked genuine, bluing was fair and the gun was clean. The gun was numbered in the military fashion, so I assume it went to the army, no sear safety and no indication of assignation. All of the visible parts had the correct last two digits of the serial no., with the exception of the side plate and the toggle assembly. They both had the last three numbers of the s.n. stamped on them. Is it unusual to see some of these guns with the last three digits of the s.n. on some parts and just the last two numbers on other parts? Was this something that happened in this time frame?
Just curious, as I haven't run across this type of marking before. More to add to my data base.
Thanks to all who respond.
barr44

Edward Tinker · 11-15-2011, 10:23 PM

I have seen 3 digits on some guns, my reading tells me that it is when the unit had weapon with the same of the last two.

I can't say whether it was every part numbered with 3 digits, but I think just some is my recollection.

Ed

lugerholsterrepair · 11-15-2011, 10:52 PM

5 digit commercials sometimes have 3 digit parts?

Ron Smith · 12-13-2011, 04:39 PM

New manufactured 1921 Lugers were all in.. no suffix, a and b suffix serial number range. It was probably stamped with the Property Mark due to confusion in translating the marking order.

George Anderson · 12-13-2011, 05:25 PM

Well look who has finally come back to life! I've missed you Ron.

Neil Young · 12-13-2011, 05:56 PM

Some 1921 Lugers had 5-digit serial numbers. I think most of these went to the police.

Neil

Norme · 12-13-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Anderson

Well look who has finally come back to life! I've missed you Ron.

Ron, I missed you too, welcome back! Regards, Norm

Ron Smith · 12-13-2011, 06:33 PM

Neil,

I believe the 5 digit 1921s were built and matched to "1919" pre-Alphabet (refered to as "1923") commercial frames.

I have read that when there were two Lugers in a unit with the same last two digits, they often stamped the 3rd digit on the side plate to avoid a mis-match.

Thanks guys..

I've been dropping bye on occaision to see if you "Experts" are leading anyone astray. So far you seem to know what you're talking about.

Too danged cold to be out in the woods, so thought I would stop over and add to the confusion.

Ron

11-15-2011, 09:44 PM	#1
barr44 User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: york co., va Posts: 153 Thanks: 27 Thanked 35 Times in 21 Posts	1921 Luger At a recent gun show, I ran across a 1921 DWM luger. The 1921 was stamped over the chamber, so I am thinking it was the manufacturing date. The gun looked genuine, bluing was fair and the gun was clean. The gun was numbered in the military fashion, so I assume it went to the army, no sear safety and no indication of assignation. All of the visible parts had the correct last two digits of the serial no., with the exception of the side plate and the toggle assembly. They both had the last three numbers of the s.n. stamped on them. Is it unusual to see some of these guns with the last three digits of the s.n. on some parts and just the last two numbers on other parts? Was this something that happened in this time frame? Just curious, as I haven't run across this type of marking before. More to add to my data base. Thanks to all who respond. barr44

11-15-2011, 10:23 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	I have seen 3 digits on some guns, my reading tells me that it is when the unit had weapon with the same of the last two. I can't say whether it was every part numbered with 3 digits, but I think just some is my recollection. 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

11-15-2011, 10:52 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	5 digit commercials sometimes have 3 digit parts? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-13-2011, 04:39 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	New manufactured 1921 Lugers were all in.. no suffix, a and b suffix serial number range. It was probably stamped with the Property Mark due to confusion in translating the marking order. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-13-2011, 05:56 PM	#6
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 546 Thanks: 565 Thanked 443 Times in 168 Posts	Some 1921 Lugers had 5-digit serial numbers. I think most of these went to the police. Neil __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

12-13-2011, 05:25 PM	#5
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	Well look who has finally come back to life! I've missed you Ron.

12-13-2011, 06:33 PM	#8
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Neil, I believe the 5 digit 1921s were built and matched to "1919" pre-Alphabet (refered to as "1923") commercial frames. I have read that when there were two Lugers in a unit with the same last two digits, they often stamped the 3rd digit on the side plate to avoid a mis-match. Thanks guys.. I've been dropping bye on occaision to see if you "Experts" are leading anyone astray. So far you seem to know what you're talking about. Too danged cold to be out in the woods, so thought I would stop over and add to the confusion. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...