[runner]

I would appreciate any information or comments on this pistol that I recently acquired.
It has commercial proofs only. crown N on the barrel and Bolt. Crown U on the left side of the frame.
1920 Chamber date

Serial # 5968 m the full serial is on the bottom of the barrel, the front of the frame, and 5968 without the suffix is on the left side of the slide.

It seems to have added serials. The pistol is an import marked C.A.I. ST. ALB VT. on the bottom of the barrel. Surprisingly all the serials except on the extractor and the toggle pin. these serials have been "punched" out. Also the serial on the sideplate and the back of the toggle have a "." either before or after the serial #, is this a punch mark to test hardness?

The inside of the grips are not marked and the left one has a repair near the frame.

The inside of the grip frame is marked, L. P. Th. 760.

Is this a commercial that was taken into police service, and then used in Eastern Germany or Russia before import?

Can anyone translate the unit mark?

any comments appreciated. thanks, Frank

Download Attachment: DCP00591.JPG
244.58 KB

Download Attachment: DCP00595.JPG
166.16 KB

Download Attachment: DCP00596.JPG
191.31 KB

 

[donmaus]

runner,

The unit mark means Landes Polizei (State Police) Thüringen, weapon no. 760. Apparently, two formats were used for marking the weapons of this unit, yours and L.P.Nr.xxxx. From the examples in my database of Weimar police unit marks, it appears that your format was used earlier than the other. One of these days I hope to research these. Thanks for posting your information.

I don't see any sign of a sear safety on this pistol. Is this correct?

I'll let others comment on the gun itself but there was considerable debate not long ago about the meaning of dots before or after the two digit s/ns. You might try searching "dots" on this and the LugerForum for more information.

 

[Policeluger]

I have L. P. Th. 616, close to yours, but it has taken a different path getting here, I believe yours was E. German inported but started out in life a commerical gun...hope this helps

 

[runner]

Is the grip marking Weimar era? Their is no sign of a sear safety. thanks, Frank

 

[donmaus]

Frank,

Yes, it's Weimar. I will be interested to learn what some of the experts on the forum conclude about when the Luger was manufactured. If the 1920 is a property stamp, your pistol may be what Jan Still has called an "Alphabet DWM", produced in 1924. Apparently, the 1920 property stamp was erroneously applied to some pistols produced later. I think more detailed photos will help a lot, including the proof marks on the receiver and barrel.

 

[runner]

According to the chart on page 15 of Jan's "Weimar and Early Nazi Lugers" the M suffix was produced in 1923. So I can't explain the 1920 property mark. The Proofs on both the barrel and frame are Crown N. I will try to get some better pictures posted tonight. thanks to all who provided information. Frank

 

[taudelt]

I have a 1920 chamber date DWM with grip strap L.P.Th.Nr.1416. Has mag and sear safety. SN of gun is 7029m and has C/N proofs on barrel and L/H side of reciever. Nothing on R/H side.

 

[donmaus]

policeluger,
Would you be willing to disclose the s/n and whether sear/mag safeties for your pistol w. L.P.Th.616.? If you would prefer to send via PM, that would be fine. Thanks.

 

[Policeluger]

SN # 6173m C/N, right side E/46 over large "2" and "TP" as on barrel. Sear and mag safety, 1920 property stamp which is correct for this gun, mag is H/S construction, marked #2 and SN'ed to gun

 

[donmaus]

Muchas gracias, Howard. Are these m-block Alphabet DWMs with later-than-normal 1920 property stamps?

 

[Policeluger]

I can not say with any degree of authority that these are later than normal 1920 property stamped, however my best guess is they are not.

 

[donmaus]

Any experts out there able to tell from the proofs whether these are of Imperial or Weimar manufacture?

 

[Policeluger]

Don, these are Weimar period, not imperial...but I can not give you a date as to when the property stamp as applied.

 

[AndyB]

hello members, my friend have a similar marked L.P.Th.Nr.15x in 79xxm range, Shiwy sear safety, only C/N proofed, 1920 on barrel chamber,9mm caliber, so its definitely a 1923/24 period made? best regards,Andy

 

[donmaus]

Andy,

Your friend's Luger was probably manufactured in 1924, based on its high serial number. See this thread for information on other similar marks: http://www.gunboards.com/luger/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4440&SearchTerms=Thüringen

Could you persuade your friend to let you post the full weapon number and serial number? Does it have the DWM logo?

 

[AndyB]

Hello, thanks for the quickly response, he will not all say, but i could get this, maybe it helps, the L.P.Th.Nr.14x is, DWM monogram on toggle, C/N markings, 791x m range, Schiwy safety, dont saw other magazine safety, but will look when i visit next time the man,the one magazine is matching, with sunburst S mark and nr.2, other is police missmatched but same nickled body and alu grip, photo is attached.best regards,Andy

Download Attachment: P08mag2.JPG
17.79KB

 

[donmaus]

Andy,

Is the police weapon number 14x or 15x?

 

[AndyB]

Hello, he will not say the exact serial but the L.P.Th.Nr.144 is on strap of the grip. best regards,Andy

 

[donmaus]

Andy, the complete weapon number helps a lot. Thanks very much. I've added this pistol to the list of Landespolizei Thüringen Lugers in the thread I referenced above.