Looking for info on a DWM Luger

fruitjar · 12-26-2011, 03:04 PM

I have a DWM Luger that was left to me by my Grandfather. I am just looking to find info about it. It does not have a date stamp, it does have serial #'s 6227, and has 42.R.9.1 stamped on the grip. It alsoo has the DWM stamp on the top and has proof marks as well. Pics are attached. Any info is greatly appreciated!!

Norme · 12-26-2011, 03:14 PM

Hi Chad, Welcome to the forum! Your Grandfather left you a very collectible DWM 1st Issue, made in 1909. It's full serial number is 6227a, and it's unit mark stands for the 42nd Infantry Regiment, 9th Company, weapon #1. Regards, Norm

klaus 3338 · 12-26-2011, 03:22 PM

You have a Luger/ Pistole08 type first issue, made about early 1909. It was issued to the 9. company of the infantry regiment 42. It was the "first" gun of the 9. Company and was perhaps issued to the Offiziersstellvertreter. This regiment was founded in 1860 and the 9. company was stationed as part of the 2. battalion in Stralsund in the former part of Germany that was called Posen.
Your Luger saw action in the Great War on the Eastern front mostly. It was part of the 3. Infantry Division.
You have got a nice Luger from your grandpa and I hope that you have some fun on it.
Best wishes from Germany
Klaus

fruitjar · 12-26-2011, 03:47 PM

Norme & klaus 3338 Thank you both very much!!! The only info I had was that it was brought back from WWII by my Great Uncle and that my Grandfather traded him a .38 Special for it. I think my Grandfather got the better end of this trade!! Thanks Again!!

Patronen · 12-26-2011, 04:47 PM

Yes, your Grandfather did get the better end of the deal. A first issue P08 is a nice addition to a gun collection.

Dave

mrerick · 12-26-2011, 06:54 PM

The magazine in your photograph is not from the period of your Luger, but rather one from later in Luger production during WW-II.

If you've read the forums here, you've learned that your Luger is collectable if the pistol is all matching (as indicated by numbers stamped into many parts) and that it is in it's original rust blued and strawed finish.

From the photos, it looks like your pistol is in very good condition, and - as mentioned - is very collectable. It embodies history, and is relatively rare.

Apart from preservation, it's best not to attempt to clean it, disassemble or alter it. It's hard to not give in to temptation and fire a pistol like this. Breaking it's parts (through firing, for example) will greatly reduce both it's historic and collectable (financial) value.

In any case, it is a family heirloom - evidence of your great uncle's service. Congratulations and best wishes!!!

Marc

fruitjar · 12-26-2011, 08:46 PM

Marc,

Thanks for the reply, as you indicated the magazine #'s do not match the #'s on the gun. I have two magazines, one of them has #'s but the other one doesn't. I believe that the one with #'s is what he brought back and the other one was acquired stateside, although I am just guessing. As you said, this gun is a family heirloom and will not be for sale!! Just being curious though, what would you estimate the value of the gun to be? It has been shot, as recently as yesterday, and I field stripped and cleaned it this morning. Thank You!!

Chad

fruitjar · 12-26-2011, 09:47 PM

I forgot to mention that all of the parts on the gun itself do match, 6227. The magazine is the only item that does not, 6408. Is it possible that this gun was used in WWI and re-issued in WWII? Or would it have different stamps on it? I do know that it was brought back after WWII. I really appreciate all of the replies to this post.

Chad

12-26-2011, 06:54 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	The magazine in your photograph is not from the period of your Luger, but rather one from later in Luger production during WW-II. If you've read the forums here, you've learned that your Luger is collectable if the pistol is all matching (as indicated by numbers stamped into many parts) and that it is in it's original rust blued and strawed finish. From the photos, it looks like your pistol is in very good condition, and - as mentioned - is very collectable. It embodies history, and is relatively rare. Apart from preservation, it's best not to attempt to clean it, disassemble or alter it. It's hard to not give in to temptation and fire a pistol like this. Breaking it's parts (through firing, for example) will greatly reduce both it's historic and collectable (financial) value. In any case, it is a family heirloom - evidence of your great uncle's service. Congratulations and best wishes!!! Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-26-2011, 08:46 PM	#7
fruitjar User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Marc, Thanks for the reply, as you indicated the magazine #'s do not match the #'s on the gun. I have two magazines, one of them has #'s but the other one doesn't. I believe that the one with #'s is what he brought back and the other one was acquired stateside, although I am just guessing. As you said, this gun is a family heirloom and will not be for sale!! Just being curious though, what would you estimate the value of the gun to be? It has been shot, as recently as yesterday, and I field stripped and cleaned it this morning. Thank You!! Chad Attached Thumbnails

12-26-2011, 03:04 PM	#1
fruitjar User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looking for info on a DWM Luger I have a DWM Luger that was left to me by my Grandfather. I am just looking to find info about it. It does not have a date stamp, it does have serial #'s 6227, and has 42.R.9.1 stamped on the grip. It alsoo has the DWM stamp on the top and has proof marks as well. Pics are attached. Any info is greatly appreciated!! Attached Thumbnails

12-26-2011, 03:14 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,415 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,593 Times in 931 Posts	Hi Chad, Welcome to the forum! Your Grandfather left you a very collectible DWM 1st Issue, made in 1909. It's full serial number is 6227a, and it's unit mark stands for the 42nd Infantry Regiment, 9th Company, weapon #1. Regards, Norm

12-26-2011, 03:22 PM	#3
klaus 3338 User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 517 Thanks: 0 Thanked 406 Times in 160 Posts	You have a Luger/ Pistole08 type first issue, made about early 1909. It was issued to the 9. company of the infantry regiment 42. It was the "first" gun of the 9. Company and was perhaps issued to the Offiziersstellvertreter. This regiment was founded in 1860 and the 9. company was stationed as part of the 2. battalion in Stralsund in the former part of Germany that was called Posen. Your Luger saw action in the Great War on the Eastern front mostly. It was part of the 3. Infantry Division. You have got a nice Luger from your grandpa and I hope that you have some fun on it. Best wishes from Germany Klaus

12-26-2011, 03:47 PM	#4
fruitjar User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Norme & klaus 3338 Thank you both very much!!! The only info I had was that it was brought back from WWII by my Great Uncle and that my Grandfather traded him a .38 Special for it. I think my Grandfather got the better end of this trade!! Thanks Again!!

12-26-2011, 04:47 PM	#5
Patronen User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 312 Thanks: 335 Thanked 93 Times in 70 Posts	Yes, your Grandfather did get the better end of the deal. A first issue P08 is a nice addition to a gun collection. Dave

12-26-2011, 09:47 PM	#8
fruitjar User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I forgot to mention that all of the parts on the gun itself do match, 6227. The magazine is the only item that does not, 6408. Is it possible that this gun was used in WWI and re-issued in WWII? Or would it have different stamps on it? I do know that it was brought back after WWII. I really appreciate all of the replies to this post. Chad