Location of serial numbers on 1917 Military DWM? FAQ's

[RShaw]

Hi all,

Just checking with you all about a complete list of the locations of the serial numbers; but after writing a list from Standard Catalogue of Luger, I did find a more complete list in the FAQ's here.

Standard Catalogue of Luger does omit a few parts.

Sorry for the hassle. and thanks for the great job compiling these FAQ's !!

[George Anderson]

Left front side of receiver all but the suffix. Firing pin, safety bar and hold-open should all have the last two digits.

[RShaw]

Thank you George! You're way too fast for me!

I have compiled a complete list here below from:
Standard Catalogue of Luger list (p.19): SCL
Frequently asked questions FAQ
George's additions (last 2 digits) G

The full serial number is found on 3 parts:
bottom of the barrel (with or without suffix) SCL G FAQ
front of the frame. (full WITH suffix) SCL G FAQ
Left front side of receiver all but the suffix G FAQ

The last two digits of the serial number are on the
breechblock (lower left side), SCL FAQ
extractor (bottom), SCL FAQ
front toggle link (bottom), SCL FAQ
rear toggle link (back), SCL FAQ
receiver (rear), SCL ??
side plate (bottom edge), SCL FAQ
takedown lever (bottom), SCL FAQ
trigger (top left), and SCL FAQ
grips (inside). SCL FAQ
Firing pin, G FAQ
safety bar G FAQ
hold-open G FAQ
sear bar FAQ
safety lever FAQ

Have I included all SN-marked parts now? Or.. have I repeated the same part twice here with two different names? I know this question is basic for most of you- I'm still earning the terms, and want to verify for myself that my 1917 DWM is, in fact, an all numbers matching gun.

FAQ has everything but the receiver (rear). Or am I overlooking something obvious and basic?

Thanks VERY much!

[George Anderson]

"receiver (rear)" is curious. I have no idea what that refers to.

[Edward Tinker]

nothing on rear of receiver normally - in very few cases with weimar and earlier you sometimes find a couple of digits - rack number probably

please take the Standard Catalog of Lugers with a grain of salt, there are lots of mistakes there - such as - lists Simson's each variation separately, but then repeats the 'total'amount - so it would appear that 30-40k of them were made.

[RShaw]

George, Ed,
Thank you!! Now I feel much better.

[Geo99]

Rshaw,

Your list is still not correct for WWI MILITARY Lugers, which is what your 1917 is.

For 1917 Military Luger, the last two digits of the serial number are on the:
top of the extractor, not the bottom
on the side of the side plate, not the bottom
on the side of the take down lever, not the bottom

Here's one that most people do not know about:
The first two digits of the SN are inside of the side plate (at the bottom) - this is only on DWM Lugers.

Also, the bottom of the barrel always has the suffix (if the SN has one).

- Geo

[RShaw]

Hi Geo,
THANK YOU!!
I should have picked these up straight away!
Looking at my own 1917 DWM I can see this on all three parts of course.
I was obviously not really paying attention.
SN appearing on the rear of the receiver?? - is this ok for Lugers other than DWM's?
Appreciate your comments
You have a nice day...

[Geo99]

You are very welcome. The SN always appears on the back of the rear toggle link on all Lugers - DWM, Erfurt, Simson, Mauser, Vickers, Swiss. Only Krieghoff do not have numbers in back. I think the rear of the receiver means the same thing as the rear toggle link.

You have a great day too,
- Geo

[RShaw]

Ahh ok.
Then the SCL is saying the same thing twice with "rear toggle link" and "receiver (rear)."
Good to know.
Fascinating these guns.... I am still waiting to try out my shooter for the first time... August 2017. The collector I have now is the first one I had ever seen or held- when the temptation to shoot it starts up, I watch those YouTube videos of broken slides and shattered toggles.

[Eugen]

RSHAW, your Luger journey is similar to mine. I am still in my rookie year but my knowledge is increasing at an exponential rate. I have acquired many reference books (boy, that gets expensive), but nothing matches this forum and getting schooled by all the masters here. There is such a wealth of information and from many fine folks willing to help.

I am having fun with my new hobby and it appears you are as well.

[RShaw]

Hi Eugen,
Yes I would agree with you completely.

I have always had an interest in firearms; we grew up with several in the house, and learned to shoot at an early age. Shotguns, and rifles... we learned them strictly for sport, and hunting if ever necessary. Safety was paramount (we never had toy guns when we were kids.) Pistols came later when I was an instructor in Hartford, Ct. I acquired a 45 cal Colt SAA which was a wonderful shooter and a beautiful gun. Very sadly I had to sell it when I moved to Belgium in 1984 After that we lived in Germany for a short time, and then came to the Netherlands where we have been since 1991.)

When I first saw that DWM 1917 (my collector piece now) last November 2016 on my gunsmith friend's shelf, I was fascinated, never having seen or handled a Luger before. I was looking at it, having recognized it immediately; He said, "That's an all original, all numbers matching... (I didn't know what "all numbers matching" meant, but I didn't want to admit that.) There was also a P38 next to it, so I asked his permission to look at them, sight them, and get a feel for these pistols. Then he said that a collector was selling them on consignment... and to make a long story short, I ended up buying them both.

I bought both guns really to shoot rather than to collect.

Then I joined this forum, (and the P38, and Firing Line forums) and have been learning a lot in a short time as you have. And yes, I have 2 books now which are wonderful- John Walter's "Luger Book" (new edition) and "The Parabellum is Back" by Mauro Baudino, and Gerben van Vlimmeren - both books: very good. I have been learning the collecting side of things, and after the debate over shooting collectibles, have decided to not shoot my 1917 DWM. The P38 helps me "scratch the itch" while taking apart the P08, (basic field strip for now), cleaning it and examining the parts has helped me learn as well. YouTube has several very good detail strip videos- don't know how many times I have watched these!

So that's where I am basically... I found a good shooter P08 (reblued 1918 DWM) which I can put on my permit this coming August.

I also have my eye on a Swiss 7,65 mm P08 06/29 rig being sold by an older collector / shooter who lives only a mile from me! The gun is in beautiful condition, as is the holster and cleaning kit. It was in the possession of a Swiss officer for years until bought by the person now selling it (his permit expired end January.) It's another dent in my wallet.... I'm still thinking about it while the seller is on vacation.
No hurry.

In the meantime I spend time on my forums, reading my books and shooting my P38
(P38 (ac43) is not a collector piece- it is all matching but refurbished by the Walther factory and likely refinished.)

[kurusu]

@ RShaw.

The Swiss Luger is not a P 08.

[RShaw]

Oops
Thank you

[RichSr]

George,
"Also, the bottom of the barrel always has the suffix (if the SN has one)." In most cases true but not with Erfurt manufacture.

[Geo99]

Rich,

You are correct sir! I stand corrected. Funny thing is all the Erfurts I have are no suffix, so it didn't occur to me that they were different than the DWM.

- Geo

Originally Posted by RichSr

George,
"Also, the bottom of the barrel always has the suffix (if the SN has one)." In most cases true but not with Erfurt manufacture.