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1921 MILITARY ALPHABET DWM, SN 1477a
1921 DATED, ALPHABET DWM, SERIAL NUMBER 1477a, REICHSWEHR CAVALRY UNIT STAMPED: A./R.R.4.22.
During 1920 DWM produced Lugers in the “ns”, “a”, and “b” suffix serial range that were date stamped 1920; and again during 1921 DWM produced Lugers in the “ns”, “a”, and “b” suffix range that were date stamped 1921 (A very few of these 1920 and 1921 dated Lugers are found outside the “ns”, “a” and “b” suffix range). These were intended for the military and police. Almost all of these bear Dove, Dove/WaA4, E/ArA4 or crown/G proofs and acceptance stamps. Based on serial number data the estimated 1920 and 1921 dated Alphabet DWM Army and police production is about 50,000. (Weimar Lugers, page 14, 15 and 17)
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 the 1920 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.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR1.jpg
33.59 KB
Figure 1. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. This 1921 dated Luger was manufactured by DWM for the military. It bears military (exposed) style serial number placement. A faintly stamped Nazi Era test proof can be seen on the left side of its barrel.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR2.jpg
26.61 KB
Figure 2. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Top, it has an Eagle/ArA4 Weimar Era test proof on the top of its barrel.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR3.jpg
43.22 KB
Figure 3. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Right side.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR4.jpg
20.16 KB
Figure 4. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Right receiver showing (left to right) Dove/WaA4, Dove/WaA4, acceptance stamps; E/ArA4 proof; E/Su4 ordnance stamp; and an Early Nazi Era test proof. Likely this luger underwent ordnance repair during the early Nazi Era and was re-proofed on the right side of the receiver and the left side of the barrel (see fig. 1).
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR5.jpg
26.61 KB
Figure 5. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the dove/WaA4 test proof on the right side of the breech block.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR6.jpg
49.82 KB
Figure 6. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Bottom of barrel. The metal is disturbed around the serial number digets but there is no halo. The witness mark consists of at least two stamps. The last stamp extends from the barrel flange into the receiver line.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR7.jpg
19.96 KB
Figure 7. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the bottom of the magazine. It bears its four digit serial number stamped in large letters. Army directive dated June 6, 1925, indicated that unserviceable wood bases are to be replaced with aluminum bases and a further directive dated Dec. 4, 1928, indicates that when the supply of wood based magazines runs out aluminum bases are to be used thereafter (All are sheet metal crimped construction).
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR8.jpg
76.13 KB
Figure 8. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the last two digits of its serial number stamped on the inside of its grips.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR9.jpg
27.59 KB
Figure 9. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing numbered rear connecting pin. According to 17 March 1932 military directives the rear connecting pins of the P08s are to have the last two digits of the lugers serial number added to prevent exchange by mistake (Gortz and Bryans page 131).
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR10.jpg
27.19 KB
Figure 10. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the breech block connecting pin marked 0,05. This is an oversize marking indicating a pin .005mm oversize. From Berlin, 1936 dated, list of infantry equipment available (Gortz, Bryans, page 132).
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR11.jpg
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Figure 11. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing front. It is unit marked to a Weimar cavalry regiment.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR12.jpg
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Figure 12. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, with its 1915 dated holster marked:3./K.6.47. This may signify some sort of motorized unit.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR13.jpg
49.08 KB
Figure 13. Holster back.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR14.jpg
57.05 KB
Figure 14. Open holster showing details of the magazine and tool compartments.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR15.jpg
50.18 KB
Figure 15. BERLIN manufacturers hallmark with a 1915 date.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR16.jpg
21.89 KB
Figure 16. Holster unit stamp: 3./K.6.47.. The “K” might signify Kraftfahr or ?? (some sort of cavalry unit is doubtful).
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR17.jpg
25.64 KB
Figure 17. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Details of front strap. A./R.R.4.22.: which signifies Ausbildungs-Eskadron of 4. Reiter Regiment, waffe nr.22. (Training Squadron of the 4th Cavalry Regiment).
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR18.jpg
58.18 KB
Figure 18. Reichswehr Reiter troops training in front of their barracks, 1927.
Download Attachment: 1921DWMRR19.jpg
101.76 KB
Figure 19. World War II German cavalry. Note: unlike the World War I German cavalry, they are carrying rifles instead of lances.
1921 DATED, ALPHABET DWM, SERIAL NUMBER 1477a, REICHSWEHR CAVALRY UNIT STAMPED: A./R.R.4.22.
During 1920 DWM produced Lugers in the “ns”, “a”, and “b” suffix serial range that were date stamped 1920; and again during 1921 DWM produced Lugers in the “ns”, “a”, and “b” suffix range that were date stamped 1921 (A very few of these 1920 and 1921 dated Lugers are found outside the “ns”, “a” and “b” suffix range). These were intended for the military and police. Almost all of these bear Dove, Dove/WaA4, E/ArA4 or crown/G proofs and acceptance stamps. Based on serial number data the estimated 1920 and 1921 dated Alphabet DWM Army and police production is about 50,000. (Weimar Lugers, page 14, 15 and 17)
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 the 1920 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.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR1.jpg33.59 KB
Figure 1. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. This 1921 dated Luger was manufactured by DWM for the military. It bears military (exposed) style serial number placement. A faintly stamped Nazi Era test proof can be seen on the left side of its barrel.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR2.jpg26.61 KB
Figure 2. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Top, it has an Eagle/ArA4 Weimar Era test proof on the top of its barrel.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR3.jpg43.22 KB
Figure 3. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Right side.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR4.jpg20.16 KB
Figure 4. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Right receiver showing (left to right) Dove/WaA4, Dove/WaA4, acceptance stamps; E/ArA4 proof; E/Su4 ordnance stamp; and an Early Nazi Era test proof. Likely this luger underwent ordnance repair during the early Nazi Era and was re-proofed on the right side of the receiver and the left side of the barrel (see fig. 1).
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR5.jpg26.61 KB
Figure 5. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the dove/WaA4 test proof on the right side of the breech block.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR6.jpg49.82 KB
Figure 6. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Bottom of barrel. The metal is disturbed around the serial number digets but there is no halo. The witness mark consists of at least two stamps. The last stamp extends from the barrel flange into the receiver line.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR7.jpg19.96 KB
Figure 7. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the bottom of the magazine. It bears its four digit serial number stamped in large letters. Army directive dated June 6, 1925, indicated that unserviceable wood bases are to be replaced with aluminum bases and a further directive dated Dec. 4, 1928, indicates that when the supply of wood based magazines runs out aluminum bases are to be used thereafter (All are sheet metal crimped construction).
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR8.jpg76.13 KB
Figure 8. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the last two digits of its serial number stamped on the inside of its grips.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR9.jpg27.59 KB
Figure 9. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing numbered rear connecting pin. According to 17 March 1932 military directives the rear connecting pins of the P08s are to have the last two digits of the lugers serial number added to prevent exchange by mistake (Gortz and Bryans page 131).
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR10.jpg27.19 KB
Figure 10. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing the breech block connecting pin marked 0,05. This is an oversize marking indicating a pin .005mm oversize. From Berlin, 1936 dated, list of infantry equipment available (Gortz, Bryans, page 132).
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR11.jpg12.01 KB
Figure 11. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, showing front. It is unit marked to a Weimar cavalry regiment.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR12.jpg52.32 KB
Figure 12. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a, with its 1915 dated holster marked:3./K.6.47. This may signify some sort of motorized unit.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR13.jpg49.08 KB
Figure 13. Holster back.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR14.jpg57.05 KB
Figure 14. Open holster showing details of the magazine and tool compartments.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR15.jpg50.18 KB
Figure 15. BERLIN manufacturers hallmark with a 1915 date.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR16.jpg21.89 KB
Figure 16. Holster unit stamp: 3./K.6.47.. The “K” might signify Kraftfahr or ?? (some sort of cavalry unit is doubtful).
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR17.jpg25.64 KB
Figure 17. 1921 dated Alphabet DWM, serial number 1477a. Details of front strap. A./R.R.4.22.: which signifies Ausbildungs-Eskadron of 4. Reiter Regiment, waffe nr.22. (Training Squadron of the 4th Cavalry Regiment).
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR18.jpg58.18 KB
Figure 18. Reichswehr Reiter troops training in front of their barracks, 1927.
Download Attachment:
1921DWMRR19.jpg101.76 KB
Figure 19. World War II German cavalry. Note: unlike the World War I German cavalry, they are carrying rifles instead of lances.
