Question about P 08 Luger

peyton · Jul 12, 2024

My friend asked if I could find any information about this luger he inherited. At a quick glance the right side of frame has Germany on it. The serial numbers I could find all matched.
Second question is about the Ruger 22 AUTO? I enclosed information on side of pistol
Any ideas?
I just included the serial number of the Luger and it matches the barrel and all of the little pieces have the last two number of it.

Erich · Jul 12, 2024

Anyone expert (not me: I know a just little and own reference materials) is gonna need much more detailed photos than those to provide any decent information about that DWM 08.

peyton · Jul 12, 2024

I realize more photos are necessary and will try to get them soon.

s&wchad · Jul 12, 2024

Not sure what you're asking about the Ruger Standard Model, but it was made in 1968.

Post a photo of the back of the frame/toggle on the Luger (over the lanyard loop).

peyton · Jul 12, 2024

I was asking about the ruger, thanks for the answer

CZU · Jul 13, 2024

The Luger is probably what is commonly known as a 1920 Commercial. On the left side of the receiver there should be a commercial proof, Crown/N. The caliber is more than likely 7.65mm Luger, better known in the US as 30 Luger, the original and the best(my opinion) cartridge for this pistol.

The pic below is of a 1923 Commercial. The dent in the sideplate is the result of someone being over zealous with the Germany stamp.

2152hq · Jul 13, 2024

An 'Alphabet Luger' as collectors have come to call them.
An early one with it's 'i' suffix. Likely 1922/23 production.
Commercial pistols with Military Luger ser numbering style as far as the frame # is concerned.
The Commercial Lugers were always ser#'d with just numbers starting in 1900,,no suffix.

When the numbers reached around 92000 in 1922/23, the decision was made to switch to the Milititary suffix style and use a letter suffix stamped underneath the numbers.
The Suffix denotes a block of 10,000 pistols.

Since the Commercial numbers were up to 92000 (approx) in 1922/23,,it was decided to use 'i' as the suffix as it represents the 9th letter of the alphabet. It took the place of the '9' in the ser# 92000.

So one of the first Alphabet Luger assuming it's Commercial ser# was say '92002' ,,would have been 2002i.
The 'i' stamped below the 2002 on the front of the frame.

The rest of the pistol being a Commercial pistol was still numbered in the Commercial Pistol style, with the matching numbers (last 2 digits) in slightly different locations than those on military pistols.

The sideplate # is on the bottom edge of the plate for example and not boldly struck on it's face.

The Proof(s) are commercial proofs.

Calibers can either be 30 or 9mm Luger. 30Luger is a common one.
BBl lengths vary as do some small details like lack of shoulder stock slots.
The 'Germany' export stamp is usually there somewhere as most all went out of the country to the USA at that time.

These are some nicely made pistols though the collectors of the WW1&2 stuff have passed on them, they are a fine example for Luger fans and shooters.

Bill Bates · Jul 13, 2024

Do a google search for the "Standard Catalog of Lugers" and down load the PDF. That will get you the information you seek.

boykinlp · Jul 13, 2024

2152hq said:
An 'Alphabet Luger' as collectors have come to call them.
An early one with it's 'i' suffix. Likely 1922/23 production.
Commercial pistols with Military Luger ser numbering style as far as the frame # is concerned.
The Commercial Lugers were always ser#'d with just numbers starting in 1900,,no suffix.

When the numbers reached around 92000 in 1922/23, the decision was made to switch to the Milititary suffix style and use a letter suffix stamped underneath the numbers.
The Suffix denotes a block of 10,000 pistols.

Since the Commercial numbers were up to 92000 (approx) in 1922/23,,it was decided to use 'i' as the suffix as it represents the 9th letter of the alphabet. It took the place of the '9' in the ser# 92000.

So one of the first Alphabet Luger assuming it's Commercial ser# was say '92002' ,,would have been 2002i.
The 'i' stamped below the 2002 on the front of the frame.

The rest of the pistol being a Commercial pistol was still numbered in the Commercial Pistol style, with the matching numbers (last 2 digits) in slightly different locations than those on military pistols.

The sideplate # is on the bottom edge of the plate for example and not boldly struck on it's face.

The Proof(s) are commercial proofs.

Calibers can either be 30 or 9mm Luger. 30Luger is a common one.
BBl lengths vary as do some small details like lack of shoulder stock slots.
The 'Germany' export stamp is usually there somewhere as most all went out of the country to the USA at that time.

These are some nicely made pistols though the collectors of the WW1&2 stuff have passed on them, they are a fine example for Luger fans and shooters.

Thanks so much for this information. I have one of the 1920’s Commercial Lugers, and always wondered how the serial numbering system worked! My is “6116 M”. So if I understand correctly that would be like 136116.

A Luger is something that I thought every gun “accumulator” should own.

When I was looking for one, I wanted one with the “straw” colored parts because I really liked the look. I was able to find one with a holster. The holster’s strap was broken, so I found a guy that could replace it for me. Here’s mine:
Larry

peyton · Jul 13, 2024

This is why I enjoy this forum so much, such great information.!!

peyton · Aug 15, 2024

I finally got the camera out and got some pictures. First, there are no caliber markings, it is chambered in 30 Luger. Second it has Germany stamped on right side of frame and it has the Crown N symbol on it in several places.
Lastly the serial number is 4664. the serial number on barrel matches as well.
As guesses on value and manufacturing date??

boykinlp · Aug 15, 2024

peyton said:
I finally got the camera out and got some pictures. First, there are no caliber markings, it is chambered in 30 Luger. Second it has Germany stamped on right side of frame and it has the Crown N symbol on it in several places.
Lastly the serial number is 4664. the serial number on barrel matches as well.
As guesses on value and manufacturing date??

peyton, great looking gun. I wanted one with the straw colored small parts just because I liked the look.

And, just as a FYI, if you look closely at the serial number, you will notice a letter below what you wrote above. Unfortunately, I can’t make it out without my glasses available now. It is important when trying to determine the manufacturing date.
Larry

peyton · Aug 16, 2024

The letter below the serial number appears to be an I (they don't like it unless it is all fancy)!!

StillStanding · Aug 16, 2024

I believe that if it has “Germany” stamped on the Luger it indicates that it was made for the export market.

peyton · Aug 16, 2024

I agree with you, also the lack of caliber marking makes it really old. One of our big gun shop's in town has ammo for it. $50 for 50 rounds, I resisted the urge!!

peyton · Aug 16, 2024

I agree with you, the funniest thing it is not caliber marked, after all the 30 luger seemed to be a great cartridge at the time. A big Gunshop in town has 30 luger ammo $50.00 for 50 cartridges. I resisted the urge to buy some.

Warren Sear · Aug 16, 2024

Caliber indication markings were not required in the U.S. until 1968. No idea when other countries started mandating them.

2152hq · Aug 16, 2024

Original production (WW2 and prior) Lugers both Commercial and Military were not marked as to caliber as a general rule.
Perhaps some small number of pistols were marked with a cal marking but they would have not been the normal production. I can't think of any off hand that were, but someone will likely come up with a pic of one with a caliber marking. Some of the custom built pistols have a caliber marking. There are Red Nine Luger grips (and Black Nine as well).
Seen on Artillery Lugers. Collectors are still unsure about the why of it.

You were just supposed to be smart enough to know by looking at the muzzle I guess.

peyton · Aug 18, 2024

Thanks for all of the information. Now, what is it worth??

Sevens · Aug 18, 2024

I definitely know very little about these pistols… one thing I do know is that you might be surprised by HOW MANY of the small parts are serial numbered. Many of them with simply the last two digits.

This is a big factor when anyone is trying to determine “value.” That goes up if all the small bits are original, serial number matching parts.

Question about P 08 Luger

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