[Guest]

Hi everyone. I recently inherited a Luger from my father and have some questions about it and some of it's markings. It is a 1915 DWM with matching s/n's (9663) except for the magazines. On the underside of the barrel and the receiver(?), under the s/n there looks to be a cursive "C". What is the meaning of this? Is it just some sort of proof mark? On the barrel, underneath the s/n and the "C", there are some other numbers, what looks to be "8,82". Can anyone tell me what these mean? It appears to be in pretty good shape, there is what appears to be some holster wear on the finish, but pretty fair condition otherwise.I have attached a couple of pics as well. Thanks so much for any info you can share!

Download Attachment: Luger_1.JPG
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Download Attachment: Luger_2.JPG
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Download Attachment: Luger_3.JPG
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[Gercolctor]

West

Your 1915 DWMN Luger was one of approximatly 105,000 produced that year.

The letter "c" under the serial number is called a sufix. The German military ordered that the serial numbers run from 1 to 9999 and when the next Luger in line was numbered, it was 1a, rather then 10000. So after the first 9999 the letter was added and continued to moved up. They didn't use the letter "j" but used the others.

Military ordered Lugers only have 4 diget serial numbers, followed by the small letter, except for the first series, with does not have a letter. This serial numbering system is referred as "military style". Commercial Lugers will often have 5 diget serial numbers. Serial numbers are located on four places; the frame, receiver, the barrel and the original issed magazines. If the barrel has been replaced it may not have a serial number.

The numbers 8.82 is the barrel gage.

Are there any markings, numbers or dates on the holster?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply Gercolctor, the only thing I can make out on the holster is on the inside of the flap, not all of it is readable but here's what I can make out:
L Estelm, on the first line, can't make out the rest. The second reads what looks like Strassberg, followed beneath by 1915. The holster also has what looks like some sort of tool with it. Hope you know something about the holster. Thanks a lot!

 

[Vlim]

Hi,

The tool is a multifunctional one. Used as a screwdriver for stripping parts of the pistol (grip screws and firing pin) and as a loading tool for the magazine. The hole in the tool fits around the magazine button and gives you a thumbrest. Makes it easier to fill the magazine. The tool fits around the magazine button with the screwdriver part sticking upwards.

 

[Gercolctor]

West
That is the holster's manufacturers name and city. The 1915 is the year it was made. This is a military holster, correct for your Luger.

 

[lugerlou]

Western Wa

Very nice luger you have inherited from your Dad. To note the second photo shows the unrelieved sear bar , next to the safety sear which is common on the 1915 and not to common on others .Check other posts and you will be able to distinguish the difference.

For sure your luger saw action in WW#1 as the 1915 date was a high production year that saw DWM pump them out by the thousands for war readiness. Without grip markings it is virtually impossible to say where the luger saw action. If your father picked it up in WW#2 or you know some more history on the luger it is possible that the luger saw action in that war also.

As to additional information on your luger do a search on the forum under the key words 1915 and you will find out lots of good stuff.

 

[Guest]

The story my father told me about this Luger is as follows: He bought it from a woman he worked with in the early seventies. Her father was shot with this pistol in WW1 and was able to kill the person who shot him, bringing it home with him after the fact. I was never told where he was serving at the time he was shot. She was the only surviving relative when he passed away and was not a "gun person" and sold it to my father knowing he would take care of it and treat it with the respect it deserved. I feel fortunate to have this and am enjoying finding out some of the historical information available about it and Luger's in general. Thanks to all of you for the replies and information!

 

[lugerlou]

WesternWa

Had another look at your second photo and it looks as if you used to have a magazine safety also. Top of the grip just right of the side plate on the frame is there a small cut extending up from the bottom of the frame. If so this is the remnants of a magazine safety and that would tell more about your luger.

Try and take a close up photo of that area.

 

[lugerlou]

WesternWa

Had another look at your second photo and it looks as if you used to have a magazine safety also. Top of the grip just right of the side plate on the frame is there a small cut extending up from the bottom of the frame. If so this is the remnants of a magazine safety and that would tell more about your luger.

Try and take a close up photo of that area.