[Guest]

Hello,

I have this Luger and I am wondering why it is the way it is?

The details as are follows:

TOGGLE ASSEMBLY: DWM scroll on the front link & BNP proof forward of the front link pin.
FRAME: With stock lug and serial number 78i on front.
RECIEVER: No chamber date? Serial number 1044 left side with BNP proof.
BARREL: 4" Cal 9mm. British proof mark BNP 9MMP 3380BAR Birmingham Proof House mark. Inspection mark "h".
PROOFING: Proof marks located on right side of receiver (15 as per Kenyons) Imperial "TSS & Eagle" dating the weapon to the 1914-18 period.
SAFETY: Thumb safety. Safe position with lever downward. Upper position space marked "Gesichert".
GRIPS: Checkered walnut.

This pistol cannot be cocked with the safety on, therefore I am guessing manufactured before the 1916 recall? Inside the frame at the rear is impressed the letter "E" and at the forward end of the frame "N" over "T&P" and crossed swords and halberds.

I am of the understanding that this pistol was owned up until the mid 90's by an Englishman.

I would appreciate any help in trying to work out how this Luger has ended up the way it has?

Regards

Rich

 

[Joop van de Kant]

Rich, welcome to the forum!

What you describe is a mitchmatched P08, that came to the U.K. somehwere after WWI. It was British proofed, so it must have been an 'official' entry.

It would be much easier to help you indentifying the parts if you could post some pictures. The top, the left and right side, the SN's on the barrel, the receiver and the toggle, and the proof marks you describe. There should be also a proof mark above the left side of the front toggle joint.
The way how to post pictures is described under the help - forum on top.

However, the most interesting part of your description is the fact that there is no chamber date. This, combined with the proofs TSS & Eagle could bring the receiver down to an early production between 1909 and 1910. 1910 was the first vintage to appear on the chamber.

The receiver has SN 78i, that could point out to a production during 1915, 1916, 1917 or 1918 by DWM, or 1916, 1917 / 1918 by Erfurt. The fact that you have a stock lug means that the frame was made in 1913 or later.

I am not the real expert on this period, but certainly others will look to this. Please try to post the pics. That will help us all to sove this puzzle.

 

[taudelt]

Rich........ First things first....... WELCOME to the board. My guess on your luger is that it was put together from parts since you mention at least 2 different serial numbers. I would think it started out as a Imperial Army issure due to the accpetance stamps on the R/H side and probably had a barrel date between 1914 and 1918. If you could post some pictures it would sure help us all help you.

"G-day mate"..........

 

[Guest]

Thankyou Joop and Dave!

I have some photos although they are a bit fuzzy, I will try and get some clearer ones organised.

I could not work out why there was no date on the chamber, I think you have answered that for me!! YAY!!!

The other thing is the barrel, it does not have a serial number on it, only what is stated in my description above. The barrel is in excellent condition and I am guessing this is a replacement? However, I cannot work out when this occured and why it has the markings as covered above?

G'day to everyone!!!

Cheers

Rich

 

[taudelt]

Rich.... My guess is that the barrel got replaced before it got proofed in England. Could have been put together there or somewhere else. The other option is that it got a new barrel after it got there and then the new barrel got proofed. I don't know enough about how they did those things but I suspect it was one or the other. Can you see a difference in the blue on the barrel vs the rest of the gun??? Again, some close up picture will be helpful.