1913 DWM with accessories

TheRomanhistorian · 01-11-2015, 02:52 AM

So, my local shop in Renton, WA called me back in November. They said they had something they wished to offer me before they put it out for general perusal and knew I was a Luger and Webley man.

Well, they asked if I was interested at $1200 (if memory serves that was after tax). It's all matching numbers inside and out (including numbered grips), faint hints of strawing, and there was a million dollar chip on the left grip but, otherwise, I was in to say 'Yes' and put it on layaway. S/N 4226.

Well, it has now come home. It came with a WWI era holster (marked KBAG 1916 with some imprinted information that's a bit hard to read but a manufacturer name located in Berlin, 1916)) and the back was marked with a little skull symbol. CoE, TNKS, 25th D, AEF, 7/6/18. Two wood based magazines came with it (one with a serial number but not matched to the gun) and a loading tool.

No unit markings on the gun, though. Here are some mediocre photos from my phone camera. I'll try and get better ones in the morning with natural light.

DavidJayUden · 01-11-2015, 03:32 AM

Can't tell much from the photos, but it seems like, if all checks out, you have snuck up on this one.
Is the finish "even" over the entire gun? Or is the barrel of a different finish?
Congratulations!
dju

TheRomanhistorian · 01-11-2015, 04:09 AM

The finish is even over the entire gun, this damned camera flash can't really be disabled and I was too excited about sharing to wait until tomorrow.

I wish it didn't have the million dollar chip but she's a beautiful gun otherwise and I wasn't expecting to sneak up on this one like that. I've checked all the numbers with a thorough takedown, too. The first thing I did when I came home (and then I cleaned and oiled the pistol).

Thanks, DJU!

SteveM · 01-11-2015, 07:22 AM

Appears to have no stock lug, an early 1913. Good catch. Too bad about the chip, I just bought one this week with the same issue.

TheRomanhistorian · 01-11-2015, 10:43 AM

Thanks, SteveM. I thought it was a minor imperfection I could live with and it's an otherwise nice gun.

alanint · 01-11-2015, 12:30 PM

The chip can be fixed by Hugh, our local grip expert.

Ben M. · 01-11-2015, 01:17 PM

is the breech blck bent to the sideways?

Karl · 01-11-2015, 03:43 PM

Michael,

Nice find. I don't see a number on the take down lever or safety bar in the photos. I am interested because I have a 1913 DWM all matching but no number on the safety bar.
KFS

Edward Tinker · 01-11-2015, 04:02 PM

very nice, excellent find!

Ed

TheRomanhistorian · 01-11-2015, 11:50 PM

Karl, no, I see no numbers there, either. // Ed, pity I don't have any story from the veteran to share. I'd love to know what the markings meant and what his story was.

Karl · 01-12-2015, 07:50 AM

"I'd love to know what the markings meant and what his story was."
Micheal,
My guess would be that "CoE, TNKS, 25th D, AEF, 7/6/18" is Company E, Tanks?, 25th Division, American Expeditionary Force, July 6, 1918. Perhaps the local gun shop could pass a message to the seller stating that you are interested in tracing the history.
KFS

Sergio Natali · 01-12-2015, 10:48 AM

Congratulations on your Luger, quite nice, pity about the blurred pictures.

Sergio

Bill_in_VA · 01-12-2015, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl

Michael,

Nice find. I don't see a number on the take down lever or safety bar in the photos. I am interested because I have a 1913 DWM all matching but no number on the safety bar.
KFS

At the risk of diverging too far from the OP, I have a 1911 Erfurt that's all matching except for the safety lever, like your 1913 DWM.

JD · 01-12-2015, 04:10 PM

Michael,
Your "favorite shop" now has a DWM 1906 Navy first issue, Altered with a commercial marking on the barrel in quite nice shape, and also a 1918 DWM artillery also in nice shape..... It is hard not to start drooling when Diana or Thor pull something like that out and start off with "What can you tell me about this...." :-)

lugerholsterrepair · 01-12-2015, 05:47 PM

Gun Shop in Renton, Washington with Reviews & Ratings - YP.com
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TheRomanhistorian · 01-13-2015, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

Michael,
Your "favorite shop" now has a DWM 1906 Navy first issue, Altered with a commercial marking on the barrel in quite nice shape, and also a 1918 DWM artillery also in nice shape..... It is hard not to start drooling when Diana or Thor pull something like that out and start off with "What can you tell me about this...." :-)

JD,

I know, and Chris and I get chatting about Webleys. I wasn't trying to be secretive but at the same time I don't want to come off a shill for one of my favourite shops! They showed me those two before Christmas when they first came in and before they went out into the displays.

That artillery...but no...I splurged in there on the Interarms Luger, finished this one, and bought a gun safe and some reloading supplies. ...and now a friend talked me into bidding on a Shansei .45 ACP Broom.

It's like a bloody candy shop... I think 2015 will see me return to my 'cheaper' vices like fountain pens and Roman coins.

JD · 01-13-2015, 03:26 PM

Michael,

No, don't become like Chris and start buying up strange and unusable firearms!!!!!!!

It took me a little while to track down exactly what the 1906 Navy was for Diana, but it is a really neat gun. Out of my price range at the moment though.

For others reading, the gun shop that we are referring to is Pinto's Guns in Renton Wa. They get some very nice vintage stuff in at times, including the occasional luger. Another plus is that they are extremely nice people too......

alvin · 01-13-2015, 06:06 PM

Question in picture:

TheRomanhistorian · 01-13-2015, 06:27 PM

JD - Too late, I have two Webley and Scott .455 semi-auto pistols and a French Model 1892 revolver though I haven't yet gotten as esoteric as Chris' guns...

I will echo JD's comments that they are great people and fellow gun enthusiasts.

Alvin - My, good eye. It is a Rolex, a gift from my father when I went to undergraduate (my father's a peasant farmer from Mainland China and he always wanted one and that was his watch after he came to the US and opened his own business). When I went to university he gave it to me as a lucky charm and as a memento and it followed me from Idaho, with my BA to London with my MA and PhD. I speak to my father every week still and, as much as I love these guns, that watch (though inexpensive for a Rolex) is something I will treasure more than my collection of pistols. Sorry, bit sappy, but my father stood behind me my entire life and, though he didn't understand it, defended my choice of Roman history as a PhD to my mum!

alvin · 01-13-2015, 10:52 PM

Regarding watches... we visited Las Vegas back a few weeks ago. One day, we walked long time tired, sitting in a mall rest a moment, taking a breath, drinking water etc. Across hallway was a luxury watch shop. There were many watches in the display window, Breguet, Original G something, I forgot the names, all European brand names. Had nothing to do, we walked in front of the window taking a look, she said, "those must be expensive, no price tag?" I answered, "this type of store, three year receiving a single business, and on a single business they can live three years

all 5-digit items. Waiting casino winners". "Ah? are you sure." She's surprised. I dared not tell her that many C&R pistols also cost that much

01-11-2015, 02:52 AM	#1
TheRomanhistorian User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 170 Thanked 88 Times in 64 Posts	1913 DWM with accessories So, my local shop in Renton, WA called me back in November. They said they had something they wished to offer me before they put it out for general perusal and knew I was a Luger and Webley man. Well, they asked if I was interested at $1200 (if memory serves that was after tax). It's all matching numbers inside and out (including numbered grips), faint hints of strawing, and there was a million dollar chip on the left grip but, otherwise, I was in to say 'Yes' and put it on layaway. S/N 4226. Well, it has now come home. It came with a WWI era holster (marked KBAG 1916 with some imprinted information that's a bit hard to read but a manufacturer name located in Berlin, 1916)) and the back was marked with a little skull symbol. CoE, TNKS, 25th D, AEF, 7/6/18. Two wood based magazines came with it (one with a serial number but not matched to the gun) and a loading tool. No unit markings on the gun, though. Here are some mediocre photos from my phone camera. I'll try and get better ones in the morning with natural light. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Michael Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.') 'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers

01-11-2015, 04:09 AM	#3
TheRomanhistorian User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 170 Thanked 88 Times in 64 Posts	The finish is even over the entire gun, this damned camera flash can't really be disabled and I was too excited about sharing to wait until tomorrow. I wish it didn't have the million dollar chip but she's a beautiful gun otherwise and I wasn't expecting to sneak up on this one like that. I've checked all the numbers with a thorough takedown, too. The first thing I did when I came home (and then I cleaned and oiled the pistol). Thanks, DJU! __________________ Michael Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.') 'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers

01-11-2015, 10:43 AM	#5
TheRomanhistorian User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 170 Thanked 88 Times in 64 Posts	Thanks, SteveM. I thought it was a minor imperfection I could live with and it's an otherwise nice gun. __________________ Michael Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.') 'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers

01-11-2015, 04:02 PM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	very nice, excellent find! 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

01-11-2015, 11:50 PM	#10
TheRomanhistorian User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 170 Thanked 88 Times in 64 Posts	Karl, no, I see no numbers there, either. // Ed, pity I don't have any story from the veteran to share. I'd love to know what the markings meant and what his story was. __________________ Michael Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.') 'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers

01-11-2015, 03:32 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Can't tell much from the photos, but it seems like, if all checks out, you have snuck up on this one. Is the finish "even" over the entire gun? Or is the barrel of a different finish? Congratulations! dju

01-11-2015, 07:22 AM	#4
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Appears to have no stock lug, an early 1913. Good catch. Too bad about the chip, I just bought one this week with the same issue.

01-11-2015, 12:30 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	The chip can be fixed by Hugh, our local grip expert.

01-11-2015, 01:17 PM	#7
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 498 Thanks: 96 Thanked 145 Times in 90 Posts	is the breech blck bent to the sideways?

01-11-2015, 03:43 PM	#8
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Michael, Nice find. I don't see a number on the take down lever or safety bar in the photos. I am interested because I have a 1913 DWM all matching but no number on the safety bar. KFS

01-12-2015, 07:50 AM	#11
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	"I'd love to know what the markings meant and what his story was." Micheal, My guess would be that "CoE, TNKS, 25th D, AEF, 7/6/18" is Company E, Tanks?, 25th Division, American Expeditionary Force, July 6, 1918. Perhaps the local gun shop could pass a message to the seller stating that you are interested in tracing the history. KFS

01-12-2015, 10:48 AM	#12
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Congratulations on your Luger, quite nice, pity about the blurred pictures. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

01-12-2015, 04:10 PM	#14
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Western Washington Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Michael, Your "favorite shop" now has a DWM 1906 Navy first issue, Altered with a commercial marking on the barrel in quite nice shape, and also a 1918 DWM artillery also in nice shape..... It is hard not to start drooling when Diana or Thor pull something like that out and start off with "What can you tell me about this...." :-)

01-12-2015, 05:47 PM	#15
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	Gun Shop in Renton, Washington with Reviews & Ratings - YP.com › Renton, WA Find 60 listings related to Gun Shop in Renton on YP.com. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Guns & Gunsmiths in Renton, WA. __________________ 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."

01-13-2015, 03:26 PM	#17
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Western Washington Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Michael, No, don't become like Chris and start buying up strange and unusable firearms!!!!!!! It took me a little while to track down exactly what the 1906 Navy was for Diana, but it is a really neat gun. Out of my price range at the moment though. For others reading, the gun shop that we are referring to is Pinto's Guns in Renton Wa. They get some very nice vintage stuff in at times, including the occasional luger. Another plus is that they are extremely nice people too......

01-13-2015, 06:06 PM	#18
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Question in picture: Attached Images

01-13-2015, 06:27 PM	#19
TheRomanhistorian User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 170 Thanked 88 Times in 64 Posts	JD - Too late, I have two Webley and Scott .455 semi-auto pistols and a French Model 1892 revolver though I haven't yet gotten as esoteric as Chris' guns... I will echo JD's comments that they are great people and fellow gun enthusiasts. Alvin - My, good eye. It is a Rolex, a gift from my father when I went to undergraduate (my father's a peasant farmer from Mainland China and he always wanted one and that was his watch after he came to the US and opened his own business). When I went to university he gave it to me as a lucky charm and as a memento and it followed me from Idaho, with my BA to London with my MA and PhD. I speak to my father every week still and, as much as I love these guns, that watch (though inexpensive for a Rolex) is something I will treasure more than my collection of pistols. Sorry, bit sappy, but my father stood behind me my entire life and, though he didn't understand it, defended my choice of Roman history as a PhD to my mum! __________________ Michael Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.') 'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers

01-13-2015, 10:52 PM	#20
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Regarding watches... we visited Las Vegas back a few weeks ago. One day, we walked long time tired, sitting in a mall rest a moment, taking a breath, drinking water etc. Across hallway was a luxury watch shop. There were many watches in the display window, Breguet, Original G something, I forgot the names, all European brand names. Had nothing to do, we walked in front of the window taking a look, she said, "those must be expensive, no price tag?" I answered, "this type of store, three year receiving a single business, and on a single business they can live three years all 5-digit items. Waiting casino winners". "Ah? are you sure." She's surprised. I dared not tell her that many C&R pistols also cost that much