Wood base mag info

homefries04 · 08-29-2017, 10:01 PM

Hey guys. I am curious about the magazine that came with my 1940 Luger. It has a wood base and number 9831 engraved, though very difficult to make out at this point. Above that there is either a script letter or an artistic scratch. At the top of the base appears to be a cross, faintly resembling an iron cross. Any idea of time period for this? Original or reproduction? Value at all? Thanks guys.
Kevin

Edward Tinker · 08-29-2017, 10:42 PM

Plus is the spare, and the marking would have to be clear

Might be an "s"

Did you compare it to our suffix examples?

Wood base, pre 1926, likely WWI era

homefries04 · 08-29-2017, 11:06 PM

It's definitely the letter B, lowercase cursive.

Lugerdoc · 08-30-2017, 10:48 AM

Due to the "flaking" tin plating, most likely a post 1914 DWM or Erfurt military mag. TH

Major Tom · 08-30-2017, 12:23 PM

The 'cross' probably signifies a 'spare' magazine if factory applied.

homefries04 · 08-30-2017, 01:12 PM

Value/performance/cost wise, is it worth replacing the spring to use the mag or just buy a new Mec-Gar mag? Do these units hold up well? I don't plan on selling, but are these worth $20 or $100? A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing when it comes to this stuff. haha

DonVoigt · 08-30-2017, 01:46 PM

With a better focused picture, you could get a good opinion of the mag.

Yes it could be worth $100 or more or less.

For shooting, buy a Mecgar mag; old wood bottom mags are prone to crack during use(the base that is). No use damaging an old mag when a new one is $30 or so.

Robert in NC · 08-30-2017, 02:37 PM

For shooting my 1920 commercial with a wood base magazine I bought a Mecgar mag and a new wood base off ebay for about $20 to replace the plastic bottom on the Mecgar. So it looks more or less correct for the gun while I keep the original magazine in the safe.

08-29-2017, 10:01 PM	#1
homefries04 User Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 14 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Wood base mag info Hey guys. I am curious about the magazine that came with my 1940 Luger. It has a wood base and number 9831 engraved, though very difficult to make out at this point. Above that there is either a script letter or an artistic scratch. At the top of the base appears to be a cross, faintly resembling an iron cross. Any idea of time period for this? Original or reproduction? Value at all? Thanks guys. Kevin Attached Thumbnails Last edited by homefries04; 08-29-2017 at 11:05 PM. Reason: Can't type on phone.

08-29-2017, 11:06 PM	#3
homefries04 User Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 14 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	It's definitely the letter B, lowercase cursive. Last edited by homefries04; 08-30-2017 at 11:17 AM.

08-30-2017, 10:48 AM	#4
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Due to the "flaking" tin plating, most likely a post 1914 DWM or Erfurt military mag. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

08-30-2017, 12:23 PM	#5
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	The 'cross' probably signifies a 'spare' magazine if factory applied. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

08-30-2017, 01:46 PM	#7
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	With a better focused picture, you could get a good opinion of the mag. Yes it could be worth $100 or more or less. For shooting, buy a Mecgar mag; old wood bottom mags are prone to crack during use(the base that is). No use damaging an old mag when a new one is $30 or so. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

08-29-2017, 10:42 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	Plus is the spare, and the marking would have to be clear Might be an "s" Did you compare it to our suffix examples? Wood base, pre 1926, likely WWI era

08-30-2017, 01:12 PM	#6
homefries04 User Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 14 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Value/performance/cost wise, is it worth replacing the spring to use the mag or just buy a new Mec-Gar mag? Do these units hold up well? I don't plan on selling, but are these worth $20 or $100? A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing when it comes to this stuff. haha

08-30-2017, 02:37 PM	#8
Robert in NC User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 32 Thanks: 32 Thanked 22 Times in 11 Posts	For shooting my 1920 commercial with a wood base magazine I bought a Mecgar mag and a new wood base off ebay for about $20 to replace the plastic bottom on the Mecgar. So it looks more or less correct for the gun while I keep the original magazine in the safe.