Pictures of my new Luger

[vern]

My new 1918 DWM luger has all matching numbers, inside and outside, except for the magazine. All proofs are present as identified in the references. A couple of pictures are attached. The blueing is very good (90+ %)except for the side plate and the straw color is also very good (95+ %). My guess on the % blue and straw are VERY uneducated. The bore is shiney with strong rifling and it functions perfectly. I have a couple of questions about the numbers. First, Lugers at Random does not list the firing pin as being numbered. This luger does have a number (12) on the firing pin. Should this match the pistol (it doesn't) or what else does this number mean? Is there a magazine exchange site anywhere (list non-matching magazine numbers people have that could be traded if someone lucks into a number they need)? What kind of value should I put on this pistol for insurance purposes?

Vern

<a href="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/lftside_copy1.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/lftside_copy1.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>

<a href="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/rtside_copy1.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/rtside_copy1.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>

[Ron Smith]

Vern, the firing pin is a replacement. The number should match. That's not uncommon. the firing pins will crystalize,and break, if they are dry fired. So don't. As far as value, I paid $600.00 for my 1915 w/ E.German holster and WWI tool. I got a very good deal. They average $700.00 to $800.00 in my part of the country. I had a 1918 a couple of years ago. Very similar to yours. I paid $700.00 for it. I got $750.00 for it in trade. Wish I'd have kept it. Minor wear, to me, adds character.

Ron

[Doubs]

Looking at the grips, I'm of the opinion that they are not original to the pistol. They appear to be bare wood without any finish applied. Have you taken them off and examined them for markings? The grips on a 1918 DWM should be darker.... much darker... than those. Unless they've been stripped of their finish. But, looking at the way they're carved around the grip screw area and the slight gap between the frame and grip above the mag release leads me to believe they're replacement grips.

[Ron Wood]

Doubs,
They could be replacements. But you will also find some 1917 and 1918 Lugers with "Buchenholz" (beech) grips that are much lighter than the walnut ones. They were oiled but not stained, so they are quite light. I have a 1917 artillery with matching grips that look similar.

Postscript: After looking at the larger photos, the grips appear more "rounded" than DWM originals, so I am inclined to agree that they may be replacements.

[vern]

The grips are stamped with matching numbers (last 2 digits of the serial #). The marks are very lightly struck, about 2.5mm in height and centered on the inside of the grips. Lugers at random states that this came with Beech grips. I thought they were replacements too until I found the numbers.

Vern

[Ron Wood]

Excellent! I am glad the original grips are still with the gun. I suspect more than one pair of beech grips have been swapped out for walnut because the owner thought they were incorrect or replacements.

[Vlim]

Ron,

Glad you mentioned this. DWM did their own wood processing and mainly used French walnut (from the southern part of France) as a base material.

Needless to say, the demand was larger than the supply and being at war with the French didn't help either.

Use of beech wood caused many problems, because it would tend to split, especially when used on rifle stocks.

(this is mentioned in the company's corporate history, 1939)

[George Anderson]

G.v.V., the Germans were able to get around the french problem by simply over running the french borders. This tactic seems to have been relativly easy and not only secured a good supply of walnut but also better than average wines.

Here in the US many of us are boycotting french goods. This is something I am in total compliance with. I haven't bought any french cars, pickups, shotguns, ammo, toilet articles, peanut butter, chicken or clothing. I did, however, store away twenty cases of Bordeaux prior to taking my pledge.

[PAOLO]

G.v.V.
I've to say that (in my experience) I've never seen a 1917 or 1918 P08 or LP08 with walnut grips.I have always seen beech ones(like also the wooden bottoms of the mags of the 1917/1918 guns).
Did anyone see anything different?

[Heinz]

Paolo, my 1918 serial number 9723, no suffix, has beech grips.

[Doubs]

If the numbers are correctly stamped inside the grips then it appears that they are original and my "observations" incorrect. That's good news for Vern and while I knew that some grips were lighter in color than others, I don't believe I've seen any quite that light. I once owned a 1918 - 1920 "Double Date" that had very dark grips but I don't recall if they were beech or walnut. Other Lugers I've owned with beech grips were also dark and appear to have been stained. The Finnish M-23 I owned had beech grips that were quite dark.

[Vlim]

Paolo, George,

The Germans never really made it to the south of France during WW1, so burl wood supplies were a problem. So I'm not surprised to find only beech grips on 1917 - 1918 lugers.

[vern]

Doubs,
Check out my reply to the question "military DWM 1918 grips" just a couple of posts away from this one. I describe the placement of the serial number inside the grips on my luger and have a close up picture included. I have no reason to believe these aren't original. How does the number look to you?
Vern

[Ron Smith]

Geo, I'm with you! I stopped eating french toast,and snails. That should take a bite out of their Gross National Product!! If they have one?

Ron

[Herb]

Vern, to answer part of your post, yes there is a magazine 'locating' service run by Don R. Hallock. He puts out a new list about twice yearly containing lots of magazine numbers that are sent to him in hopes the suscribers can get a needed mag. He will not reveal who sent the numbers in to him but he will arrange a trade for you for a like condition mag. He also has past issues for sale, I'm guessing about $50 now for around 5,000 listed magazines. A single issue will cost you $12.00 and will be only the latest additions. You can contact him at email drh@oz.net
or phone 405-422-6664 or by mail at P.O. Box 370
Hobart, WA 98025. Good luck, I hope the one you need is on the lists.

[Doubs]

Vern, from what I see in the picture of the grip numbers, the font appears to be correct and I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of your grips. Looking at your pictures on my computer at work, the grips appear a few shades darker because the screen isn't as bright as my home computer. They look more original on my work computer.

[nbrink]

I also have a 1918, 85% blueing, execellent bore, and grips, and several military proofs, crown b,s, on the top of the reciever and right side of the reciever.

Nbrink