Let’s see your Luger(s) and share what we know about them
One of my favorite firearms is my 1941 Luger. They’re unique mechanically and esthetically. They’re one of the most recognizable handgun ever produced.
I’m not close to being an expert and really don’t know much about Lugers in general but have been investigating the one I own. I’d love to see your collection even if it’s one single pistol like I have and hear the history of that particular example(s) and share information on other members pistols. If you have information on any that you see in this post please share it.
Ok, here’s the one I own. My wife gave it to me almost 30 years ago as a birthday gift. I saw it in a little gun shop in a small town here in East TN. Like many examples it was a bring back from WWII and had been stored in a sock drawer since 1945. The owner passed away and the son decided to sell it. I saw it in the shop and my wife purchased it as a birthday gift.
From searching info it appears to be a 1941 Mauser manufacture with an a serial number code, 3227a. I have had it apart several times for a thorough cleaning and lube and all serial numbers match. I’ve fired it several times with moderate loads and it functions perfectly. On the right side of the frame it has the 135 code.
The grips are original black Bakelite and I have the two original magazines with Bakelite buttons and marked xfo 37. The holster I believe is original as well and stitching is solid and the leather is in fine shape with a nice patina and marked with the eagle, PO8 1941 and something I can’t read above the 1941. Unfortunately I don’t have the takedown tool or cleaning rod.
Please share your images, stories and information that could enlighten us about our jewels.
I have one Luger and did the research on it, as follows:
This is a near-mint example of a DWM Luger sold in the commercial market in the 1920's and chambered in .30 Luger or 7.65mm Luger. It is all matching, has the proper "Crown N" commercial proofs, and has a "Germany" export marking on the right side of the slide, indicating it was intended for sale in the international market, likely the US. It has a 3 3/4 inch barrel. The end of the muzzle is in the white as a 1920's commercial pistol should be. All the correct small parts are "strawed", and it has fire-blued grip screws and front sight. The serial number and letter suffix on the barrel, and on the rear of the toggle, has the proper halo effect, and raised edges, showing it was done after the gun was originally rust blued. The matching serial number and suffix on the fame doesn't have those characteristics because it was done before the rust bluing. The gun has retained nearly all of its original bluing with areas of very minor wear on some of the high edges and around the muzzle. The bore has strong rifling with very minor pin-pricking throughout.
The gun comes as a rig with a properly un-numbered commercial magazine with nickel body and wooden base, and an excellent "Germany" marked tan leather holster. The holster has a leather pull to lift the pistol out of the holster. It is generally in minty condition, but unfortunately the closure strap was broken in two pieces when I got it. I have had that strap replaced. Since the holster doesn't have a horizontal row of stitching below the belt loops, it is a WW1 era holster. It has minty walnut wood grips.
When I was looking for one, I wanting one with the straw colored small parts just because I liked the looks of it. Here are some pictures showing the complete rig, the holster before being fixed, and after being fixed.
Larry
The Stoeger is quite a nice little shooter with the 6" barrel. I bought it and the Swiss from Krausewerks in San Mateo, CA. Mike Krause is (still around) one of the outstanding Luger guys. He makes them from scratch in 45 ACP and 380 and helped "lugerman" bring his version to market. Mike's sell for a tad more, in the $25K and up range. But you'd never know they weren't originals. All hand made, except for the front sight.
I’ll again post in another P08 thread with the same example.
This time it’s different in that it “seems” that the VOPO ones are slowly gaining acceptance. There was a recent one sold for just over $1,200, but on GB and it wasn’t that special.
I ordered mine from a large available, generic offered group in 1993. Get what VOPO you get for $395.00. The one I got was originally a K date which was great cause I was collecting Mauser semi-auto pistols.
I still occasionally shoot it and with hard ball it has never missed a beat.
Mine is a fairly unremarkable wartime production Mauser in 9mm. What's most important to me is that my father brought it home from WWII, along with a British M&P in .38 S&W. He traded a carton of cigarettes to a British NCO for both guns during the war. They were the first handguns I ever fired, and are a reminder of his service and what was accomplished, at great cost, by his generation.
I've posted this in other threads, so it is sort of redundant. It's a BYF 41 P-08 with 3 FXO magazines, a loading tool, and the holster. It also has the original wood grips along with the black bakelight ones. I had Bill's Cases make the case for it.
I only have one, a "G" date (1935) example made by Mauser and bears the S/42 manufacturer's code. It is all matching except for the magazine which is from a 1936 or 1937 gun. I don't have any history on it prior to my purchase but I assume it was one of the thousands that came back to the US after the war. I like that it features the straw colored small parts which were gone by 1937 if I recall.
Being that it dates to 1935 I have to assume that it was issued and carried during the most turbulent period in world history. If it could talk I don't know that I'd like to know what it had witnessed.
Being that it dates to 1935 I have to assume that it was issued and carried during the most turbulent period in world history. If it could talk I don't know that I'd like to know what it had witnessed.
My wife won’t shoot mine for that reason and it crosses my mind too regarding what it might have been used for. There’s just no way to know and I tell her you have no idea whether it was used in training or combat. There’s always the possibility any military arm might have taken a life. It’s just that we have bad associations with certain weapons. But still they’re a part of history and we should remember that history so it never happens again, hopefully.
Thanks for posting always wanted a Luger, but always wanted the money more. Read several Luger books. Enjoy the pictures and posts - thanks all who contributed. That minty 9mm Luger with Wehrmacht and Imperial markings still evades me.;-)
Thanks for posting always wanted a Luger, but always wanted the money more. Read several Luger books. Enjoy the pictures and posts - thanks all who contributed. That minty 9mm Luger with Wehrmacht and Imperial markings still evades me.;-)
I always wanted an artillery Luger but likely will never get one.
I’ve built up a bit of a Luger collection over the years.
(Sorry I still don’t know how to post a full size pic)
Very nice collection!
You collect like I collect. I never set out to get one of every model of any one thing. I just bought things that interested me and wound up with a lot of cool guns from the Indian wars to WWII US, Russian, British and German and relics in between. I collected flags, banners, badges, bayoneted and war posters and even currency. I decorated my office with period furniture that wound up looking like a US field office from WWII.
The fun was finding things and when I moved I sold it all. No serious regrets although I wish I’d kept a Mauser C96 and P38. But I had a ton of fun with them and made a bunch of money when I sold everything and then moved on to collecting other things.
Last edited by .38SuperMan; 04-10-2024 at 11:34 PM.
1916 DWM P08 Luger
I purchased this Luger 12/24/16 from my wife's uncle Dale. He would stop by a pawn shop on the way home from school several times during the week in Elberton, Ga. and one day in 1955 he found this 1916 Luger and a long barreled Artilley Luger. He asked his dad to go with him to purchase it and he left with the Luger, 1917 dated holster, tool, and two magazines and $25 less in his account. He shot it a few times after that, and in 1970 he and his wife took a firearms course in Cobb County, Ga and used this Luger. The instructor told him it was the most accurate gun in the class. After that he stored it away in the holster, with both magazines loaded, never to be shot again. Around 1996 he put it in his banks safety deposit box, again stored in the holster with the tool and two mags loaded with 8 rounds. He emailed me about 3-4 weeks before Christmas 2016 saying he knew I collected Guns and would I be interested in this one. I collect old S&W revolvers but have been wanting a nice Luger for awhile. I, of course, said I would be interested. He nor I knew much about them. He asked me to post some pics on some forums and see what the value was. I also sent him pages of completed auctions on Gunbrokers. Some Luger forum members were able to help me with a ballpark figure and and I passed on their stated value and input to him. We met on Christmas Eve at a family get together and after looking it over I made him an offer that I felt was fair, and an offer that he apparently felt was fair, as he was a little shocked. He said he was more than happy with the price and I was too. After my research I've found that it is a 1916 DWM Luger, with what appears to be the correct markings on the right side of receiver. Numbers are all matching (per chart showing which parts are marked), including grips (but not magazines), several of the numbers appear to have the correct "halos" that go along with an original finish, and all edges and lettering appear to be sharp. The serial number is 4691 M, and it has unit markings on the front grip frame as follows- 2.M.C. R.158.
2nd Machine Gun Company, Regiment No. 158. This was a Prussian regiment, originally, “7.Lothringisches Infanterie=Regiment, established on 31 March 1897 in Paderborn, Germany. At the outbreak of the Great War, the 158th was assigned to the 13thInfantry Division, VII Corps, 2nd Army. In March, 1915 the 158th was transferred to the 50th Division and remained with them until the end of the war.
The combat record of the 158th is very interesting. It was part of the Imperial German element that invaded Belgium fighting in both Champagne and Artois prior to its transfer to the 50th Infantry Division. After joining the 50th, the 158th fought in Verdun-Vaux, Argonne, Aisne, St. Quentin, Aisne, Rheims, Meuse and was in the Meuse area at the Armistice.
Allied Intelligence rated the 50th Infantry Division as “first class”. Immediately after the battle of the Aisne, it commander, Maj. Fritsch was awarded the Pour le Mérite.
A G-42, i think. Likely am not knowledgeable to correctly identify it. Found it in small gun store awhile ago, and bought it because always wanted one. Reportedly a war bring back and all parts match except mag. Shot it a couple of times and surprised by it's accuracy. Functioned fine with Q4172 Win fmj. Didn't like cleaning it and haven't shot it in some years. Am not a good photographer.
Here is my only Luger. It was purchased in the late 90's when I lived in PA. I don't know much about it other than it is a Russian capture and has, no doubt been refinished with some markings removed. I know it is a Mauser manufactured weapon because of the S42 on the toggle, but it looks like the year has been ground off. All the numbers match except the magazine. The grips are not original. It's a good shooter, but I don't shoot it much. The best ammo for it is 124 grain FMJ. Hollow points are often problematic to reliably feed. Thanks for looking.
I always wanted an artillery Luger but likely will never get one.
While on the Police Dept., I was contacted by a local attorney who wanted me to look over some guns he took as payment. I went to his office and he had an Artillery Luger among the guns. It was in very rough shape, so I declined buying it. I wasn't interested in the other guns either.
1916 DWM P08 Luger
I purchased this Luger 12/24/16 from my wife's uncle Dale. He would stop by a pawn shop on the way home from school several times during the week in Elberton, Ga. and one day in 1955 he found this 1916 Luger and a long barreled Artilley Luger. He asked his dad to go with him to purchase it and he left with the Luger, 1917 dated holster, tool, and two magazines and $25 less in his account. He shot it a few times after that, and in 1970 he and his wife took a firearms course in Cobb County, Ga and used this Luger. The instructor told him it was the most accurate gun in the class. After that he stored it away in the holster, with both magazines loaded, never to be shot again. Around 1996 he put it in his banks safety deposit box, again stored in the holster with the tool and two mags loaded with 8 rounds. He emailed me about 3-4 weeks before Christmas 2016 saying he knew I collected Guns and would I be interested in this one. I collect old S&W revolvers but have been wanting a nice Luger for awhile. I, of course, said I would be interested. He nor I knew much about them. He asked me to post some pics on some forums and see what the value was. I also sent him pages of completed auctions on Gunbrokers. Some Luger forum members were able to help me with a ballpark figure and and I passed on their stated value and input to him. We met on Christmas Eve at a family get together and after looking it over I made him an offer that I felt was fair, and an offer that he apparently felt was fair, as he was a little shocked. He said he was more than happy with the price and I was too. After my research I've found that it is a 1916 DWM Luger, with what appears to be the correct markings on the right side of receiver. Numbers are all matching (per chart showing which parts are marked), including grips (but not magazines), several of the numbers appear to have the correct "halos" that go along with an original finish, and all edges and lettering appear to be sharp. The serial number is 4691 M, and it has unit markings on the front grip frame as follows- 2.M.C. R.158.
2nd Machine Gun Company, Regiment No. 158. This was a Prussian regiment, originally, “7.Lothringisches Infanterie=Regiment, established on 31 March 1897 in Paderborn, Germany. At the outbreak of the Great War, the 158th was assigned to the 13thInfantry Division, VII Corps, 2nd Army. In March, 1915 the 158th was transferred to the 50th Division and remained with them until the end of the war.
The combat record of the 158th is very interesting. It was part of the Imperial German element that invaded Belgium fighting in both Champagne and Artois prior to its transfer to the 50th Infantry Division. After joining the 50th, the 158th fought in Verdun-Vaux, Argonne, Aisne, St. Quentin, Aisne, Rheims, Meuse and was in the Meuse area at the Armistice.
Allied Intelligence rated the 50th Infantry Division as “first class”. Immediately after the battle of the Aisne, it commander, Maj. Fritsch was awarded the Pour le Mérite.
I found a nice 1916 DWM in a small gun store, gave them an offer and it was accepted. I either sold it or traded it, which I have regretted to this day.
This is a complete rig for a 1936 Mauser Luger. It's significantly the last version of the Luger where many of the smaller parts were "strawed" or gold-colored through heat treatment. The holster is dated 1936 as well as the gun itself.
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 04-11-2024 at 11:59 AM.
I only have two. One appears to be an East German VoPo gun, force matched numbers with the black plastic "bullseye" grips. How it came to be in West Germany in the mid-Seventies is unclear.
The other is a 1929 Swiss Luger from a batch recently released. It's nice to shoot, but you do not want the brass to escape. .30 Luger is not a regular stock item at the LGS. The import marks are under the lanyard loop and about as discreetly done as any I have seen.
I only have two. One appears to be an East German VoPo gun, force matched numbers with the black plastic "bullseye" grips. How it came to be in West Germany in the mid-Seventies is unclear.
The other is a 1929 Swiss Luger from a batch recently released. It's nice to shoot, but you do not want the brass to escape. .30 Luger is not a regular stock item at the LGS. The import marks are under the lanyard loop and about as discreetly done as any I have seen.
I have seen a few, and really like the Swiss Cross on the Lugers.
Larry
My beautiful Mauser Banner with the 1940 Chamber date and Haenel Schmeisser magazine.
Same situation as my Artillery. I brought my Luger expert to the Dallas Market Hall show, and again, took it completely down to the firing pin to verify the serial numbers match.
OK, everybody, please don't laugh too hard. I used to have a beautiful blued pre-war Luger with matching numbers except for the magazine but I had to sell it when I lost my job.
It's chromed and has a MecGar magazine, but the numbers match. It has the Mauser code on the toggle and "41" on the breech. It shoots pretty well. I took it to an indoor range and one of the range officers asked if he could shoot it. I loaded it up for him and let him shoot it. He really enjoyed getting to shoot an old classic.
I'm sure the collectors will gag, but I got a shooter. Hopefully my old Luger has found a nice home in a collector's safe.
Indeed when I saw the original post this morning I had to look up mine that I sold in 2016 for $2000. I saw the last two digits of your gun, 77, and said wait a minute...is that the one I sold?
Nope...mine was a few months later. The Collector designation "Black Widow" covered those Lugers made for only a short time in early WWII. One thing you might want to do to further your research is to pull the grips, and compare the backside of each to the photos of mine (in second post...can only post 5 per post). There were several types of backside rib construction (mine were officially Type 6).
The mags were also unique to the Black Widow and yours have the original marks for correct manufacture. Along with your other nice accessories I would have to say your package is clearly in the $2,500 to $3,000 area, maybe more to those serious Collectors.
One of the best websites for all things Luger is Jan Still's Axis Powers website. If you join that Forum, there was a man on that site who was a Luger grip expert (Dave Trout). I haven't been active over there since I sold my Mil-surps and went into S&W's, but those folks are just as friendly and knowledgeable as the folks right here.
Thanks for the post 38SuperMan, those Lugers are getting scarcer every day. I don't really miss mine, but it was a fun time for research and collecting WWII weapons and accessories.
Indeed when I saw the original post this morning I had to look up mine that I sold in 2016 for $2000. I saw the last two digits of your gun, 77, and said wait a minute...is that the one I sold?
Nope...mine was a few months later. The Collector designation "Black Widow" covered those Lugers made for only a short time in early WWII. One thing you might want to do to further your research is to pull the grips, and compare the backside of each to the photos of mine (in second post...can only post 5 per post). There were several types of backside rib construction (mine were officially Type 6).
The mags were also unique to the Black Widow and yours have the original marks for correct manufacture. Along with your other nice accessories I would have to say your package is clearly in the $2,500 to $3,000 area, maybe more to those serious Collectors.
One of the best websites for all things Luger is Jan Still's Axis Powers website. If you join that Forum, there was a man on that site who was a Luger grip expert (Dave Trout). I haven't been active over there since I sold my Mil-surps and went into S&W's, but those folks are just as friendly and knowledgeable as the folks right here.
Thanks for the post 38SuperMan, those Lugers are getting scarcer every day. I don't really miss mine, but it was a fun time for research and collecting WWII weapons and accessories.
Thanks for your post! I read a little about the “Black Widow” but thought it was a generic term more than a specific series of guns. I’ve had it totally apart to check serial numbers, all matching, and will have to pull the grips again today and post images.
I’ll post a photo today and join the site. Thanks again for the info.
I take it you know your way to the Kittery Trading Post, what with Rileys being gone. And are likely single .....
I used to go to KTP many years ago and it was always a treat. Then they tried to become a Cabelas and lost the character that made them a “go to” place for me. I haven’t been there for at least ten years now. When I buy stuff its mainly Gunbroker or Forums like this one. I am married, four kids, all grown and have long gotten on with their lives. Regarding Lugers, I think my 1902 carbine is the top dog of my group.
Picked up a nice DWM Double Date Luger a few years back for my WWII collection. It's dated 1918 and 1920. She runs great for a lady her age. Very happy with the pick up even though she wasn't cheap!
Thanks for posting the back shots of your grips. It does appear my grips are the type 6 as well.
Since my gun is marked 41 and the serial number is 3227a I’m assuming this was the 3227th produced. Would that be correct?
Don
Hello Don,
I am not a Luger expert by any means but back around 2003 there was a lot if interest in serial numbers for the so-called "Black Widow" Lugers. The first thing to realize is that the term "Black Widow" was the marketing invention of a man in Arizona who sold Lugers. Ralph Shatuck was the man and the dang term stuck over the years, mostly by USA Collectors. Even renowned auction houses like Simpson Ltd began to "use it" in thier adds, and still do.
Most serious Luger collectors of days gone by (20-30 years ago) disdained the cheap looking black plastic grips, much like we S&W and Colt collectors disdain the Franzite grips.
But the rumors of only issuing the Black Widow Lugers to the SS are still around today.....all debunked as untrue marketing ploys (unfortunately that worked on unsuspecting new buyers)!
Mauser Werks was given the wartime code of byf and their production was approx. 10,000 per month in 1940,41 and into 42. The block letters (lower case font) indicated not exactly a particular month, but more a "block" of 10000. Mauser produced approx 10,000 Lugers in January 1941, however the black plastic (bakelite) wasn't approved until June of 1941 and even the experts cannot agree to exactly what serial numbers and blocks would have contained only the black grips and magazines.
The most informative book on these (and other wartime Lugers) is Jan C. Still book Third Reich Lugers. I sold mine years ago, but maybe you can still find it on the Amazing site.
The key to your grips being genuine (and there are MANY, MANY fakes out there) is usually the threaded hole on the backside. The main accepted theory of validity is that the hole was there to release the grip from the mold, and it is English Whitworth thread, because the Mauser machinery was English for automated screw manufacturing in those pre-war II days. Jan Still I believe passed away some years ago but I think that a man (Ed Tinker) who is a noted authority on Lugers picked the website. The man I previously mentioned (Dave Trout) kept a database of genuine, validated by him, black resin (bakelite) grips and the serial number and block number Lugers they were issued on.
The true grips are also shiny around the borders of the checkering (like yours in the pictures you posted).
I think you do have a very nice original, and if you check at Simpson Ltd their current auctions have "black widow" listed at $3250, $3495, $4200, $5000, $5500, $6000...many of which are marked sold. The one listing at $1600 is noted as reblued, and has fake (repro) black plastic grips.
If you have no import marks anywhere on your gun, and can get the grips and FXO magazine validated yours is most likely in that high money group somewhere should you ever need, or want to sell.
Again.......I'm no expert at all.....most of my research was done years ago via Jan Still and Ed Tinker books and the aforementioned Forum.
Good luck, you have a real nice piece of history in your hands.
Hello Don,
I am not a Luger expert by any means but back around 2003 there was a lot if interest in serial numbers for the so-called "Black Widow" Lugers. The first thing to realize is that the term "Black Widow" was the marketing invention of a man in Arizona who sold Lugers. Ralph Shatuck was the man and the dang term stuck over the years, mostly by USA Collectors. Even renowned auction houses like Simpson Ltd began to "use it" in thier adds, and still do.
Most serious Luger collectors of days gone by (20-30 years ago) disdained the cheap looking black plastic grips, much like we S&W and Colt collectors disdain the Franzite grips.
But the rumors of only issuing the Black Widow Lugers to the SS are still around today.....all debunked as untrue marketing ploys (unfortunately that worked on unsuspecting new buyers)!
Mauser Werks was given the wartime code of byf and their production was approx. 10,000 per month in 1940,41 and into 42. The block letters (lower case font) indicated not exactly a particular month, but more a "block" of 10000. Mauser produced approx 10,000 Lugers in January 1941, however the black plastic (bakelite) wasn't approved until June of 1941 and even the experts cannot agree to exactly what serial numbers and blocks would have contained only the black grips and magazines.
The most informative book on these (and other wartime Lugers) is Jan C. Still book Third Reich Lugers. I sold mine years ago, but maybe you can still find it on the Amazing site.
The key to your grips being genuine (and there are MANY, MANY fakes out there) is usually the threaded hole on the backside. The main accepted theory of validity is that the hole was there to release the grip from the mold, and it is English Whitworth thread, because the Mauser machinery was English for automated screw manufacturing in those pre-war II days. Jan Still I believe passed away some years ago but I think that a man (Ed Tinker) who is a noted authority on Lugers picked the website. The man I previously mentioned (Dave Trout) kept a database of genuine, validated by him, black resin (bakelite) grips and the serial number and block number Lugers they were issued on.
The true grips are also shiny around the borders of the checkering (like yours in the pictures you posted).
I think you do have a very nice original, and if you check at Simpson Ltd their current auctions have "black widow" listed at $3250, $3495, $4200, $5000, $5500, $6000...many of which are marked sold. The one listing at $1600 is noted as reblued, and has fake (repro) black plastic grips.
If you have no import marks anywhere on your gun, and can get the grips and FXO magazine validated yours is most likely in that high money group somewhere should you ever need, or want to sell.
Again.......I'm no expert at all.....most of my research was done years ago via Jan Still and Ed Tinker books and the aforementioned Forum.
Good luck, you have a real nice piece of history in your hands.
Thanks for all the information.
Until the day I posted the thread I wasn’t even aware of the “Black Widow” and had no idea there was any special value to the gun my wife bought for my birthday gift.
I’ll search for the book you mentioned and continue to research it. This is one of those things I’d never part with because it was a gift for my first birthday after we got married plus knowing this it’s just cool owning it.
Once again I’ve proven “Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while.”
This has really been interesting researching my pistol. I thought at best I just had an orordinary garden variety Luger. Turns out it is an original Black Widow with 2 correct magazines and correct dated holster.
The one thing that didn’t seem correct is the 41 marked receiver with double 135 proof marks. Well until I found a reference on Legacy-collectibles. On their site the showed my exact gun with double Eagle 135 proof marks but had an aluminum button magazine instead of the black Bakelite magazines I have.
In further researching the guns with double 135 proofs were in a transition period when the inspector 655 was replaced by inspector 135. Being at the end of the year would also explain why my gun is an (a) suffix SN. Most likely the factory went through the alphabet and then started repeating the suffix code which was normal as I understand.
The Legacy gun only had 1 magazine and no holster and sold for $4650.
Let’s see your Luger(s) and share what we know about them
I do not know much about Lugers. This is the only Luger in my safe, but it is very special to me. It was my grandfather's. He brought it back from Germany (WWII). Have no idea how he acquired it.
We have the "capture papers" and customs paperwork. His command verified that the pistol's tropy value exceeded any training, service, or scrap value, etc. Customs document shows that it came back on September 8, 1945.
Here are a few pics of the pistol, customs and capture papers, holster with extra mag....and a couple photos of my grandfather.
I do not know much about Lugers. This is the only Luger in my safe, but it is very special to me. It was my grandfather's. He brought it back from Germany (WWII). Have no idea how he acquired it.
We have the "capture papers" and customs paperwork. His command verified that the pistol's tropy value exceeded any training, service, or scrap value, etc. Customs document shows that it came back on September 8, 1945.
Here are a few pics of the pistol, customs and capture papers, holster with extra mag....and a couple photos of my grandfather.
This has really been interesting researching my pistol. I thought at best I just had an orordinary garden variety Luger. Turns out it is an original Black Widow with 2 correct magazines and correct dated holster.
The one thing that didn’t seem correct is the 41 marked receiver with double 135 proof marks. Well until I found a reference on Legacy-collectibles. On their site the showed my exact gun with double Eagle 135 proof marks but had an aluminum button magazine instead of the black Bakelite magazines I have.
In further researching the guns with double 135 proofs were in a transition period when the inspector 655 was replaced by inspector 135. Being at the end of the year would also explain why my gun is an (a) suffix SN. Most likely the factory went through the alphabet and then started repeating the suffix code which was normal as I understand.
The Legacy gun only had 1 magazine and no holster and sold for $4650.
Photos from Legacy Collectables.
Below is a link to the Luger forum. Those guys were a great help to me on the history of mine. LugerForum Discussion Forums
My dad bought this 1916 DWM in 1960 along with a holster, an M40 helmet, 4 boxes of 1944 dated ammo, a U.S. Army map of France dated 1944 and an Iron Cross 1st Class for the tidy sum of $100. What's weird is it has "Black Widow" grips that fit perfectly. They must be legit to cause the guys at The Luger Forum offered me big bucks for them. Wonder how they got on it???
nearly 30 years ago, my now deceased father in law and I went to a gun show, where he bought three Lugers, a 1915, another of similar vintage, and a mint perfect, '42 BYF, for $1100 for the trio. I shot the last one, and some years later he sold it a local pastor, who since became mentally disabled, and I don't know where it is now. For years I had no interest in the two WWI era pistols. I thought they were just too "bling" for me. A perfect 1915 came to me when he died about four or so years ago. The other early one he must have sold at some point in time.
It was only when I inspected the 1915 pistol, and found it wasn't gold plated but had straw blued parts. Many years ago, located a holster of a later vintage, and have since given the Luger and it's mag and holster and tool to my son. here it is.
This 1914 Erfurt Artillery was a WWII bring back by my late FIL. 3rd Army Corporal. I don't recall him ever saying whether he acquired it in North Africa or Europe and he told no war stories. I first encountered it in the hands of his only daughter, who pulled it from under the couch we were both sitting on, making me instantly thankful I hadn't gotten fresh.
He carried it in a GI shoulder holster both during the war and under an overcoat while working as a traveling salesman for years thereafter. A former wrestler and college football player, he was known as "King Kong" and could make that mode of carry work. When he was 60 he went 3 rounds with a man 20 years his junior as an unofficial prelim to a Tommy Hearns bout.
He and the gun were both class acts in my estimation. So is his daughter.
Let’s see your Luger(s) and share what we know about them
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