7.65mm Luger

airbus · 07-25-2003, 05:46 PM

My father up in Illinois currently has a 7.65mm Luger. He got it from his father who moved to the US from Italy around 1900. Not really sure when his father got it. On the top it has the DWM mark.
We found that all parts have the same serial number on them. A few parts also have a crown symble over the letter "N".

We cant figure out the model year. It is in like new condition. The metel parts still have a straw colour to them and the grips look like they have never been held.

When my father got it, there was still some original 7.65mm shells in the clip.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Doubs · 07-25-2003, 06:02 PM

airbus, in order to determine the model, additional information is necessary. Are the "toggles" dished or a knurled flat surface? Is the extractor flat and recessed below the top of the receiver or is it narrow and almost flush with the receiver top? What is the serial number and what other marks are on the pistol? The BEST way to get an accurate evaluation is to take good, sharp pictures and post them. It sounds like a Luger that is now an heirloom and should stay in the family for future generations to enjoy.

Edward Tinker · 07-25-2003, 08:39 PM

airbus;

Can you tell us any other markings on the gun?

Proofs? (see on your left under tech information if you came through www.lugerforum.com) Tell us what and where proofs and markings are located.

There are forms in this section, where you can print out and then write down pertinent information.

What serial number is on the gun? To include any letters next to or under the serial number?

Any year or letters are stamped on the top of the receiver?

Like Doubs said, can you provide pictures, to include side, top, etc?

John Sabato · 07-25-2003, 09:12 PM

Don't shoot the ammunition you found in the gun... they are probably collectors items like the gun...

Please take some good photos of the gun and ammunition and post them here...

airbus · 07-31-2003, 03:58 PM

Edward Tinker · 07-31-2003, 05:05 PM

There is a tutorial under site help and feedback, essentially you upload the picture, then drop the picture URL into the reply box.

Easy once you've done it a few times,

otherwise, e-mail them to me with any information you'd like to share and I'll put it in the blcok you left.

Ed

Doug G. · 08-01-2003, 03:45 AM

Where at in Illinois? If it is close I would take a look at it for you. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />

Edward Tinker · 08-01-2003, 07:31 AM

The last couple of pictures for Chris:

Luke · 08-01-2003, 12:46 PM

Great pictures. Thanks.

I just bought a 1920 commercial, and these are very helpful for comparison purposes.

By the way, does your gun have "GERMANY" stamped on the right frame rail?

Luke

Luke · 08-01-2003, 02:08 PM

Point of reference . . . my "new" 1920 commercial.

John Sabato · 08-01-2003, 02:18 PM

Great Photos! Thanks!

Frank · 08-01-2003, 02:39 PM

Hi Airbus, nice looking Luger! I can't see the chamber markings, but it doesn't appear to have any. That being the case, I believe your pistol is a commercial variety made in the mid 1920's. If it has a "Germany" stamp on it, it was made for sale in the US, most probably. Congratulations!!

Doubs · 08-01-2003, 05:15 PM

A very nice post-war commercial "Alphabet" Luger with 98mm barrel. (Jan Still has designated these pistols "Alphabet" Lugers because DWM began using a suffix letter in the serial number of their commercial pistols when manufacture of commercial Lugers had reached about 92,000. Jan believes that the first of the Alphabet Lugers was serialed 2000i. If each letter, beginning with "a" denotes 10,000 pistols, 2000i would designate 92,000. Previous to this, only military pistols used a letter suffix in the serial number.) Yours was likely made around 1923 - 1925 and was new manufacture. While these pistols are not quite up to pre-war standards, they are still of excellent quality. The family history makes it even nicer. You have every right to be pleased.

07-25-2003, 05:46 PM	#1
airbus New User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	7.65mm Luger My father up in Illinois currently has a 7.65mm Luger. He got it from his father who moved to the US from Italy around 1900. Not really sure when his father got it. On the top it has the DWM mark. We found that all parts have the same serial number on them. A few parts also have a crown symble over the letter "N". We cant figure out the model year. It is in like new condition. The metel parts still have a straw colour to them and the grips look like they have never been held. When my father got it, there was still some original 7.65mm shells in the clip. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

07-25-2003, 08:39 PM	#3
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	airbus; Can you tell us any other markings on the gun? Proofs? (see on your left under tech information if you came through www.lugerforum.com) Tell us what and where proofs and markings are located. There are forms in this section, where you can print out and then write down pertinent information. What serial number is on the gun? To include any letters next to or under the serial number? Any year or letters are stamped on the top of the receiver? Like Doubs said, can you provide pictures, to include side, top, etc? __________________ 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

07-25-2003, 09:12 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Don't shoot the ammunition you found in the gun... they are probably collectors items like the gun... Please take some good photos of the gun and ammunition and post them here... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-31-2003, 05:05 PM	#6
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	There is a tutorial under site help and feedback, essentially you upload the picture, then drop the picture URL into the reply box. Easy once you've done it a few times, otherwise, e-mail them to me with any information you'd like to share and I'll put it in the blcok you left. 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

08-01-2003, 03:45 AM	#7
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Where at in Illinois? If it is close I would take a look at it for you. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" /> __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

07-25-2003, 06:02 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 771 Thanked 1,617 Times in 526 Posts	airbus, in order to determine the model, additional information is necessary. Are the "toggles" dished or a knurled flat surface? Is the extractor flat and recessed below the top of the receiver or is it narrow and almost flush with the receiver top? What is the serial number and what other marks are on the pistol? The BEST way to get an accurate evaluation is to take good, sharp pictures and post them. It sounds like a Luger that is now an heirloom and should stay in the family for future generations to enjoy.

07-31-2003, 03:58 PM	#5
airbus New User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

08-01-2003, 07:31 AM	#8
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 last couple of pictures for Chris: __________________ 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

08-01-2003, 12:46 PM	#9
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Great pictures. Thanks. I just bought a 1920 commercial, and these are very helpful for comparison purposes. By the way, does your gun have "GERMANY" stamped on the right frame rail? Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

08-01-2003, 02:08 PM	#10
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Point of reference . . . my "new" 1920 commercial. __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

08-01-2003, 02:18 PM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Great Photos! Thanks! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-01-2003, 02:39 PM	#12
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hi Airbus, nice looking Luger! I can't see the chamber markings, but it doesn't appear to have any. That being the case, I believe your pistol is a commercial variety made in the mid 1920's. If it has a "Germany" stamp on it, it was made for sale in the US, most probably. Congratulations!!

08-01-2003, 05:15 PM	#13
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 771 Thanked 1,617 Times in 526 Posts	A very nice post-war commercial "Alphabet" Luger with 98mm barrel. (Jan Still has designated these pistols "Alphabet" Lugers because DWM began using a suffix letter in the serial number of their commercial pistols when manufacture of commercial Lugers had reached about 92,000. Jan believes that the first of the Alphabet Lugers was serialed 2000i. If each letter, beginning with "a" denotes 10,000 pistols, 2000i would designate 92,000. Previous to this, only military pistols used a letter suffix in the serial number.) Yours was likely made around 1923 - 1925 and was new manufacture. While these pistols are not quite up to pre-war standards, they are still of excellent quality. The family history makes it even nicer. You have every right to be pleased.