[Jan C Still]

POLICE 5 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER DWM LUGER, SN 89572, DATED 1921

During 1920 and 1921 DWM (BKIW) produced Lugers with five digit serial numbers that were dated 1920 and 1921 that were intended for the military and police. Almost all of these bear Dove, Dove/WaA4, E/ArA4 or crown/G proofs and acceptance stamps. Those dated 1920 are reported interspersed with commercial Lugers in the 83970-85260 serial range and those dated 1921 are reported interspersed with commercial Lugers in the 85473-89572 serial range. Estimated dated Army and police production is 1500.(Weimar Lugers, page 13-14)

Collectors call Lugers in the 74845 to 91989 serial number range, 1923 Commercial. However, the 1920 and 1921 dates found on some dispels the validity of this name. I would suggest that these Lugers be called 20 DWM as manufacture of these Lugers started in 1920. However, old habits may never change.

Gerben van Vlimmeren found the following information in DWM's 1939 Company History:
"Ein auftrag der reichswehr und sicherheitspolizei auf 40 000 selbstladepistolen gab einem teil der waffenfabrik bis Mai 1921 arbeit."
Translation: "An order of the reichswehr and security police for 40 000 automatic pistols provided work for a part of the weapons plant until may, 1921."

These 40,000 pistols (Lugers) reported in the DWM History would (approximately) include the 1920 and 1921 dated Lugers in the five digit serial range (20 DWM) and the1920 and 1921 dated lugers in the “ns”, “a” and “b” suffix serial range (Alphabet DWM). Gerben van Vlimmerens’ information from the DWM Company History approximately validates the production information on the 1920 and 1921 dated Lugers presented in Weimar Lugers, page 13-14 and 26-30.


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Figure 1. Police 20 DWM, serial number 89572, dated 1921. This 5 digit serial number Luger (serial number 89572) is dated 1921 and was manufactured by DWM for the police. It bears a sear safety and a magazine safety ordered installed by Prussian Police Lugers by orders dated August 30, 1933. The magazine safety was removed and the side panel slot refinished.


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Figure 2. Police 20 DWM, serial number 89572, dated 1921. Top.


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Figure 3. Police 20 DWM, serial number 89572, dated 1921. Right side. The inside of the grips are unmarked.


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Figure 4. Police 20 DWM, serial number 89572, dated 1921. Right receiver showing Dove/WaA4, Dove/WaA4, and E/ArA4 proofs and acceptance stamps.


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Figure 5. Police 20 DWM, serial number 89572, dated 1921. Front of frame and bottom of barrel. Note: the Weimar Crown/G and eagle stamp. A faint halo can be observed around some of the barrel serial number digits. The side plate and take down lever bear commercial style (hidden) serial number placement.


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Figure 6. Police 20 DWM, serial number 89572, dated 1921. Details of left side serial numbers and proofs. The breach block bears an E/WaA4 proof. The take down lever and side plate bear added military style serial numbers. The military style serial numbers were likely added by the Berlin Police Armory, the Simson Repair facility or a police arsenal or depot.


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Figure 7. Police 20 DWM, serial number 89572, dated 1921. Front, Schutzpolizei unit markings have been removed by grinding them from the front strap.
These Lugers were used by the German police until the end of World War II.

 

[Edward Tinker]

Thanks Jan for collecting all the info and sharing it, and with a great presentation. It is very helpful to have the clear pictures and the text all in one place.

Ed

 

[jcoe]

Thanks Jan for your skilled presentation of a unusual 1921 dated police that is classified as a 1920 commercial DWM . This is certainly a fascinating and complex era of P08 manufacture with production of 1920 Commercial DWM, Alphabet DWM, and Dated Alphabet DWM during 1920-21 . Adding to the complexity (for older collectors) is the correction of the old “1923 Commercial DWM’ classification to “1920 Commercial DWM” as exemplified by your dated commercial P08.
John

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Jan, for an exellent vieuwing possibility of the 1921 DWM Luger! As I told You before, I had the great possibility, of getting the possibility of buying a Luger, also DWM, 1921, but not with the special marks you have mentioned.
The serialnumber is 4418, and a suffixletter, that seems to be an open letter p...Under the barrel, where it hits the frame.
The weapon further carries no submittal stamps, only Germany, placed on the left side on the frame.
The weapon is in an exxellent condition, it seems to be never used at all...
Maybe you or another much more knowing man than I am, I am just a beginner, can tell me more about this weapon??
It has beautiful wooden grips also., and a wooden magazine-knob.

 

[Edward Tinker]

aldo, you would ahve to give us exact information, what the suffix actually is and what proofs and acceptance are on the right or left...

Clear Pictures would make this obvious, otherwise, we are taking a shot in the dark.

Ed

 

[Guest]

I understand, and I shall try to sent pictures...maybe I can sent a few as attachment e-mail?
I have been trying to make sharp picturess, and i must say, it isn't easy!
Especially with the stamps on it.. I 'll keep trying! Thanks for reaction!

 

[Edward Tinker]

aldo, you can send the pictures to me via e-mail if you want, although placing the pictures onto this forum is very easy. There is a tutorial under the help section.

Make sure you choose REPLY TO TOPIC and not use the Quick Reply section and then you can just reply.

 

[Guest]

There are some problems with uploading my pictures with this method...so I'll sent them attached with e-mail, Weimar. Heeey! One has succeded, so i think the other ones are too much K..
Anuway, this picture shows an interesting part, the underside of the barrel, with a suffix, a number, and a nitromark.
As i told You, the other ones are coming attached... Thanks for helping me, i have a lot to learn!!!

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[Jan C Still]

messingman
Thanks for your excellent photographs.
Based on your photographs your Luger, serial number 4418p, was manufactured in about 1926 (1928 if r suffix) for the commercial market. I would describe it as a Alphabet DWM, in the “p” suffix serial range manufactured by DWM (BKIW) for the commercial market in an English speaking country. Hence the “GERMANY” stamp.(see page 15 and 28-30, Weimar Lugers)
Jan


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[Guest]

Thanks, Jan, for your help placing the pictures on the forum, and for your exellent determination!
I hope, the pictures were sharp enough...
The weapon is, so I understand, not used in Germany itself? Exported or so?
The weapon itself is not much used at all..seems to be newstated!
Can you tell me anything of the value?
messingman