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09-22-2020, 03:43 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Another LUGER thread: Bucket list item
I’m not much into Lugers, but I’ve always wanted just one. Finally got one a few weeks ago, after spending some time researching and deciding what to look for.
As most people here are aware of by now, I’m more into history than collectability and value. So some random mix-master as “just a shooter” wouldn’t do, but neither was I going to pay the big bucks for a pricey all-matching high-condition original variant.
Pre-1918 P08s with Imperial unit markings in decent condition for good prices were too hard to find, and I wasn’t interested in a late Mauser or Krieghoff 1930s/40s Nazi pistol. So I figured out that a Weimar-era double-year DWM rebuild with some interesting police or military unit marking was the way to go. Now to find one with a marking that qualified as “interesting” to me. I hit paydirt at Simpson a few weeks ago.
This pistol started out as two Imperial DWM pistols made in 1917 and 1918. These were likely LP08s, the long-barreled artillery version, since neither pistol’s barrel was re-used; instead, a standard replacement barrel was newly serial-matched to the frame serial 7555 (g), which became the entire gun’s serial. A barely recognizable Weimar acceptance stamp on the barrel shows that this was not an original barrel, and that the entire operation happened in 1920/21. Apparently, the other pistol’s serial also ended with a 5; when its components, the receiver, toggle assembly and sideplate, were force-matched to the frame, the last digit appears to have been left alone.
The most important history is in the double front strap marking. Deciphering this completely required the help of Don Maus on the Luger forum, the guy who wrote the book on German police markings (literally: “History Writ in Steel”). The markings certify the gun’s service with the uniformed police in Berlin throughout the entire Weimar era and likely until 1945. So right in the heart of the action during the most ... well ... interesting times in German history.
Original early 1920s marking: S.B.W.I.R 243
(Schutzpolizei Berlin, West, Inspectorate I, Revier [=precinct] 243)
After a 1932 inventory simplification, all but the S.B. was crossed out and a gun number 5393 added.
The pistol was modified for the Schiwy safety (not in place anymore), but not cut for the magazine safety.
Last edited by Absalom; 09-22-2020 at 03:48 PM.
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31FordA, bgrafsr, duman444, Eltioloco, Fishinfool, Glashaus, gwpercle, HOUSTON RICK, JayCeeNC, Kurusu, nutsforsmiths, OLDSTER, Redcoat3340, rkwood, Rock185, Rudi, stansdds, steveno, TeamPB, TheHobbyist, Walter Rego |
09-22-2020, 07:42 PM
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I have always wanted a Luger that was in both World Wars, no logical reason, but if you have one I can't afford it now!.
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09-22-2020, 08:00 PM
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US Veteran
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Luger's are very finicky of the ammo fired in them....
My 1941 multi parts ones does not like 115 gr factory ammo
but shoots fine with my reloads of 124 gr........
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09-22-2020, 08:27 PM
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The Luger has always balanced just right for me. I guess I favor pistols weighted with less muzzle weight.
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09-22-2020, 11:31 PM
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They are classics for sure. I kick myself for letting mine go. It was a 1916 Erfurt. Dohh!
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09-24-2020, 04:28 AM
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My 1936 Mauser was a Simpson's. All matching but with "Swedish" grips. Not a real great trigger however, so it spends a lot of time in the safe.
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09-24-2020, 05:05 AM
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Absent Comrade
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STCM(SW)
Luger's are very finicky of the ammo fired in them....
My 1941 multi parts ones does not like 115 gr factory ammo
but shoots fine with my reloads of 124 gr........
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Maybe it's the "multi part" thing that is making your pistol "finicky".
Mine work well with all commercial ammo I have tried on them, be it 100gr 115gr 124gr even 147gr bullets. Not all are accurate though. The best results I have obtained were with 115 gr.
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Last edited by Kurusu; 09-24-2020 at 06:11 PM.
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09-24-2020, 07:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurusu
Maybe it's the "multi part" thing that is making your pistol "finicky".
Mine work well with all commercial ammo I have tried on them, be it 100gr 115gr 124gr even 147gr bullets. Not all are accurate though. The best results I have obtained were with 115 gr.
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I agree. My Mixmaster works fine with 115 gr hardball over 4.2 gr. Bullseye
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09-25-2020, 05:07 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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An addition for those interested in the historical context:
A few photos of Berlin "Schupos" of the inter-war years showing their Lugers. Berlin police practiced right-side carry; in other cities in the same period, cross-draw can also be seen. Police uniforms were blue, as pictured on the "model" below.
The third photo is from the Nazi years, recognizable by the different emblem on the tchako.
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09-25-2020, 05:56 PM
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That's cool!!! I've always wanted one.
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10-01-2020, 08:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK
I have always wanted a Luger that was in both World Wars, no logical reason, but if you have one I can't afford it now!.
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The Luger in the pictures was brought back from Europe by my uncle. He was in Patton's 5th Armored Division. he never talked about the war. One time when we were kids he showed us all the stuff he brought back from the war. He had several French shotguns, a doeskin backpack with German insignia, a flag, Mauser 9mm rifle, Mauser 1934, a Luger and, believe it or not, a Japanese two handed sword. All the items were laid out on a road to be run over by a tank. They were told to take any items before they were destroyed. After his death, I was given the Mauser 1934 and the Luger. I really wanted the sword (it was cool).
The Luger is a 1913 DWM with no special markings. All the serial numbers match except for the magazine. I fired it about 50 years ago and it functioned okay except for a round that would jam occasionally. I think the extractors may need some work.
Unfortunately not for sale at this time. Maybe in the future since I have no one to leave it to.
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