[Ron Smith]

This came in today. I got it from a collector who is selling off his collection. Because of alittle glitch we had concerning a 1937 S/42 on GB. He offered me this at a greatly reduced price. Needless to say I took the offer. A 1921 unit marked DWM in approx. 95%. All matching except, un-numbered grips, and transitional wood bottom, blued tube mag. Firing pin and the hold-open, which may be armorers replacement, also match.Since I haven't been able to locate a copy of Weimar Lugers. I need help filling in the gaps. I'm assuming this is a Reichswehr Army issued pistol, considering the unit marks.
All opinions,eagerly accepted and welcome.
Thanks! Ron

Sorry Folks, I just realized I inadvertently put the wrong grips on it. These are off of my 1936 S/42. In the dreary confines of my laboratory. I got the grips mixed up. Thought these looked familiar.

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[Edward Tinker]

I am at work Ron, making a livin', will pull out my copy of Weimar if others haven't answered you.

Off the top of my head, I see it has dove proofs on the right, which if memory serves me correct is good for a 1921. No evidence of police (i.e. later 1933 additions of safeties), and unit marked. If weimar / Reichswehr period marked, then it is different than WW1 era. Maybe somebody has Gortz for that? When I do go home, will pull it out also if no good answers for you.

Nice honest piece it appears to me, I like it.

Ed

 

[garfield]

These are Weimar unit markings: 15 Battery of Artillery -regiment #3, weapon #53. These pistols, Still, Weimar Alaphabet SN DWM Lugers, were mostly of new manufacture. Acceptance marks and proof are found on both Army and Police pistols dated 1920 and 21. Both 20 and 21 dated pistols were suffixed in the ns, a and b serial # range.

 

[Ron Smith]

Bill, Thanks I was hoping that's what they mean't. Since I don't have a reference to Weimar marks, I was'nt sure.
BTW, My 1936 S/42 sure looks purty in that holster. Thanks again!

Ron

 

[garfield]

Ron:

If you are going to get interested in the Weimar stuff, you need Still's book. This area isn't for the faint of heart. Every time I thing that I may have something figured out, I find out that I don't.

Glad the holster works and brings tears of joy to your eyes when you look at it.

 

[Ron Smith]

Bill, If you've got an extra copy? I would be interested. Thought I had one won on ebay, but I got ambushed with 13 seconds left. I've been looking for one for the last 6 mos. I refuse to pay 250.00+ for it though. I've got Imperial Lugers and Third Reich Lugers. Axis Pistols will be next. And then maybe.......
Thanks! Ron

 

[keoki7]

Ron, keep a lookout for Goertz' "German Small Arms Markings", it is very helpful in beginning to understand the Weimar period.

Looking at the unit marking above, it appears that an earlier marking was either removed or overstruck; there seems to be a faint "15" under the "R".

 

[Ron Smith]

Geo, I noticed the remnants of a previous mark also. Most of it is peened out. Since my computer graphics skills are nonexistant. I have drawn a diagram of what I can make out with a loop.
Have drawn the current unit mark in green, and remnants of previous stamp in black.
Probably not enough left to determine.
Ron

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[Ron Smith]

This is the ser#d tool that was included with the pistol. I did'nt post it earlier. I thought it possibly a fantasy or fake piece. However, I have gotten one knowledgable vote for "authentic". Thought I would go ahead and get it hashed out. I think it's real, in that I think a faker would have done a neater job of stamping it.
Opinions? Thanks! Ron

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[Jan C Still]

Ron
Police Lugers tools were often stamped with the Lugers serial number. Yours appears correct if the tool is correct.
Jan

 

[Vlim]

Ron,

Can you measure the thickness of the tool?

If it's over 2.5mm, that's bad news. The light marks along the length of the tool, combined with the rather thick thumbpiece would indicate that the tool is a fake.

 

[Ron Smith]

Jan and Gerben, I used a caliper, and the thumbpiece measures exactly 2.5mm in thickness. The thickness across the body just below the hole is a bit less than 3mm. So I guess it's a faked repro? He sent it with the pistol. I was'nt even expecting it, so no great loss.

Thanks Guys! Ron

 

[Vlim]

Hi Ron,

Body thickness should normally be between 2.395 and 2.51 mm all the way through. Polished edges (to hide the inferior quality of the reproduction) and vertical 'drag marks' on the body are telltale signs of repro's (although some locally produced versions are known for these marks, but this particular one is not from that category).

Anything above 3mm thick is as fake as can be so your's is a bit of a doubt. I'd say an 80% plus chance that it's a repro. The pistol is great, though.

 

[Ron Smith]

Gerben, Thanks! BTW did you get my response to your e-mail RE: The Dutch SS volunteer thread, the other day? When I hit "send" my computer froze. I was'nt sure if it went?

Ron

 

[Vlim]

Ron,

Last one I got was on the 20th.

 

[Ron Smith]

Gerben, That's it.