Two questions

tservo · 03-29-2012, 12:08 AM

One: How does one trace the history of a Luger? Specifically, is there a way to cross-reference the serial number to some dusty register that indicates what unit/when it was issued?

Two: Many of the magazines I've seen in pictures on this board and on other websites seem to be very bright, almost like they are polished. The magazine I have is the same dark blue color as the rest of the gun, though still with a wooded bottom. Is it simply a matter of age and patina or were there certain years that had polished mags?

For the record, I have a 1917 DWM, SN 5971 h

Thanks!

-Aaron

DavidJayUden · 03-29-2012, 07:29 AM

Short answers: No and dunno.
A:
I know of no Luger registry where a serial number can be used to ID where the gun was sent to.
The blued body mag. issue has come up before here and the consensus is that it is not a correct original. However I am not so sure, because I could swear I picked up an old Artillery with just such a mag. some time ago, but don't have it in front of me to be certain. Let's see what the others have to say...again. Can you post more photos of the mag, numbers, markings, etc?
dju

tservo · 03-30-2012, 08:39 PM

Yes, I only took a few originally, and the wooden bottom of the mag is pretty worn, but I'll try to get some better pictures posted.

Edward Tinker · 03-30-2012, 09:11 PM

the ww1 mags were tin and there were some nickled ones, so nickle will show much nicer than just a tin one.

Later, some were blued that were just metal.

No easy answer as they were made so many years and so many makers...

03-29-2012, 12:08 AM	#1
tservo User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Two questions One: How does one trace the history of a Luger? Specifically, is there a way to cross-reference the serial number to some dusty register that indicates what unit/when it was issued? Two: Many of the magazines I've seen in pictures on this board and on other websites seem to be very bright, almost like they are polished. The magazine I have is the same dark blue color as the rest of the gun, though still with a wooded bottom. Is it simply a matter of age and patina or were there certain years that had polished mags? For the record, I have a 1917 DWM, SN 5971 h Thanks! -Aaron Attached Thumbnails

03-30-2012, 09:11 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	the ww1 mags were tin and there were some nickled ones, so nickle will show much nicer than just a tin one. Later, some were blued that were just metal. No easy answer as they were made so many years and so many makers... __________________ 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

03-29-2012, 07:29 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Short answers: No and dunno. A: I know of no Luger registry where a serial number can be used to ID where the gun was sent to. The blued body mag. issue has come up before here and the consensus is that it is not a correct original. However I am not so sure, because I could swear I picked up an old Artillery with just such a mag. some time ago, but don't have it in front of me to be certain. Let's see what the others have to say...again. Can you post more photos of the mag, numbers, markings, etc? dju

03-30-2012, 08:39 PM	#3
tservo User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes, I only took a few originally, and the wooden bottom of the mag is pretty worn, but I'll try to get some better pictures posted.