I Have No Idea Which Luger This Is

Dariof · 11-01-2022, 03:11 PM

Hello Everyone.

I've spent hours researching this online and through this forum. I still don't know the history of this particular Luger.

My Father who just passed, left it for me. I have ordered reloading components (I am a veteran reloader of 45+ years and over 1M reloaded rounds).

I have enclosed pics in case anyone can help me identify the history of this particular Luger.

Thank you for your help in advance.

Dario

Bill_in_VA · 11-01-2022, 03:14 PM

Looks like a 1906 AE that has been refinished. Check the FAQ here.

Edward Tinker · 11-01-2022, 04:32 PM

Yes, as said above. Its a 1906 'model' and should be in 7.65mm (30 Luger)

Welcome to the forum!!
.
.

Mac Cat · 11-01-2022, 04:53 PM

Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your treasure.

Its an early commercial luger with a 5 digits serial number.
We call it an "AE" because the American Eagle image is on the chamber.
GERMANY was stamped on it because it was intended for export, probably to the US.

7.65mm is sometimes called .30 cal Luger.
It's pretty hard to find right now.
It was pretty easy to find on-line two years ago - it seems to go in cycles.

If you are a reloader, you can look for the brass.

Dariof · 11-01-2022, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Cat

Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing you treasure.

Its an early commercial luger with a 5 digits serial number.
We call it an "AE" because the American Eagle image is on the chamber.
GERMANY was stamped on it because it was intended for export, probably to the US.

7.65mm is sometimes called .30 cal Luger.
It's pretty hard to find right now.
It was pretty easy to find on-line two years ago - it seems to go in cycles.

If you are a reloader, you can look for the brass.

Thank you. I purchased Starline Brass, the RCBS 2-die set, the Dillon Neck Expander funnel and a Lee crimper. I'll disable the crimping and the neck expander on the RCBS dies.

For the projectile I purchased the Hornady .308, 90 GR Hollow point. I'm hoping the hollow point feeds. I think it will because of the shape.

I worked up loads with Quick Load, using both AA7 and Unique. I'm sitting around 6.8 GR AA7 and 4.0 GR Unique. Both give me around 1/2 max pressure the gun will handle, so it should be safe and hopefully cycle the action. I'll find out. I will chrono all loads to get standard deviation and then balance that against the groups.

Always fun working up loads for a new firearm.

Next...the M1 Carbine I also got from my Dad. He and I shot that all the time as I was growing up, many decades ago.

Mac Cat · 11-01-2022, 08:13 PM

We have an entire Forum section for just Reloading.
Look at the top "Sticky" posts.
https://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=9385
Lots of helpful tips on 7.65mm well worth reviewing.

Also, you'll want to make sure you have a really good magazine.
Most shooters use an aftermarket magazine, like a MEG-CAR.
Older luger magazines have lose their shape or the springs aren't strong enough.
Wooded bottoms will crack or pop-off, so avoid using them.

Dariof · 11-01-2022, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Cat

We have an entire Forum section for just Reloading.
Look at the top "Sticky" posts.
https://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=9385
Lots of helpful tips on 7.65mm well worth reviewing.

Also, you'll want to make sure you have a really good magazine.
Most shooters use an aftermarket magazine, like a MEG-CAR.
Older luger magazines have lose their shape or the springs aren't strong enough.
Wooded bottoms will crack or pop-off, so avoid using them.

That is excellent advice. Thank you so much. Tomorrow I will look for the aftermarket magazine and what loads the reloaders are using.

Major Tom · 11-02-2022, 07:32 AM

Selway Armory also has 90 grain bullts .309 dia. I use 3.5 grain bullseye powder and Mec-Gar magazines. The Hornady bullet functions just fine! I got my brass from Starline and they have it in stock for $30.00 p/100.

Dariof · 11-02-2022, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Tom

Selway Armory also has 90 grain bullts .309 dia. I use 3.5 grain bullseye powder and Mec-Gar magazines. The Hornady bullet functions just fine! I got my brass from Starline and they have it in stock for $30.00 p/100.

Thank you for the info.

I'm glad the Hornady 90 GR will feed. I thought they would because of the shape, but wasn't certain.

Mec-Gar is all out of the magazines, so I'm on the waiting list. In the mean time, I purchased a magazine from another manufacturer. Mixed reviews, but it's all I can get for now.

I did purchase the Starline brass, It's on the way!!

Dwight Gruber · 11-02-2022, 12:40 PM

sn 31282 was probably made very broadly around 1907, perhaps extending into very early 1908.

--Dwight

11-01-2022, 03:11 PM	#1
Dariof New User Join Date: Nov 2022 Posts: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I Have No Idea Which Luger This Is Hello Everyone. I've spent hours researching this online and through this forum. I still don't know the history of this particular Luger. My Father who just passed, left it for me. I have ordered reloading components (I am a veteran reloader of 45+ years and over 1M reloaded rounds). I have enclosed pics in case anyone can help me identify the history of this particular Luger. Thank you for your help in advance. Dario Attached Thumbnails

11-01-2022, 03:14 PM	#2
Bill_in_VA User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 373 Thanks: 772 Thanked 554 Times in 198 Posts	Looks like a 1906 AE that has been refinished. Check the FAQ here. __________________ John 8:32 reive (riːv) vb (Military) (intr) dialect Scot and Northern English to go on a plundering raid [variant of reave] ˈreiver n e.g., " Some view the Border Reivers as loveable rogues."

11-01-2022, 04:32 PM	#3
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	Yes, as said above. Its a 1906 'model' and should be in 7.65mm (30 Luger) Welcome to the forum!! . . __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-02-2022, 07:32 AM	#8
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	Selway Armory also has 90 grain bullts .309 dia. I use 3.5 grain bullseye powder and Mec-Gar magazines. The Hornady bullet functions just fine! I got my brass from Starline and they have it in stock for $30.00 p/100. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

11-01-2022, 04:53 PM	#4
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 733 Thanks: 2,100 Thanked 610 Times in 329 Posts	Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your treasure. Its an early commercial luger with a 5 digits serial number. We call it an "AE" because the American Eagle image is on the chamber. GERMANY was stamped on it because it was intended for export, probably to the US. 7.65mm is sometimes called .30 cal Luger. It's pretty hard to find right now. It was pretty easy to find on-line two years ago - it seems to go in cycles. If you are a reloader, you can look for the brass.

11-01-2022, 08:13 PM	#6
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 733 Thanks: 2,100 Thanked 610 Times in 329 Posts	We have an entire Forum section for just Reloading. Look at the top "Sticky" posts. https://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=9385 Lots of helpful tips on 7.65mm well worth reviewing. Also, you'll want to make sure you have a really good magazine. Most shooters use an aftermarket magazine, like a MEG-CAR. Older luger magazines have lose their shape or the springs aren't strong enough. Wooded bottoms will crack or pop-off, so avoid using them.

11-02-2022, 12:40 PM	#10
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	sn 31282 was probably made very broadly around 1907, perhaps extending into very early 1908. --Dwight