1920 Dutch :)

Edward Tinker · 08-02-2004, 12:30 AM

This is a gun I bought strictly as a shooter from a friend of mine. It is a dutch gun with a mismatched top, the top is all matching and most of the bottom is too!

My reason for presenting this "jewel" is that it is interesting, the bottom half is a dutch gun, delivered in 1928 to the West Indies, serial # 12964, the grips are both stamped with the serial number, and no other markings that I can make out.

The grips were shiney as all get out, as they had varnish or something that was very bright and too slick looking:

I stripped them, and put one coat of linseed oil on them.
Stripped no oil:

After linseed oil:

I thought the coloration was very nice on these grips, and had more depth to them than usual.

I believe they are period? Comments

Ed

Russ · 08-02-2004, 01:10 AM

They look a lot better than they used to.

Russ

Dwight Gruber · 08-02-2004, 03:14 AM

Ed,

These grips are numbered in the same manner as the grips on both of my Dutch Lugers. None of mine have GS marks, it appears that the Geweermakers School was not very consistent in applying their stamp.

Seems likely that yours are proper.

--Dwight

G.W. Gill · 08-03-2004, 01:24 AM

They look great! I like it when a project exceeds my expectations. Great job and I like the pistol.

Vlim · 08-03-2004, 07:40 PM

Too bad it isn't the 2850 top with the 11910 bottom, as I have the other bits.

The large number of mismatched upper/lower Dutch lugers appears to point towards a fascinating but simple armory procedure. (I don't know if this particular example also has a Dutch top?).

Rather then repairing a damaged pistol (which was commonplace as a result of ammo quality of postwar UK-supplied 9mm sten-rounds) they'd just replace the damaged cannon with one on hand and probably repair it, shelve it for later use and put it on the next victim which needs fixing.

Now, I hear you think 'why?'. Well, remember that unit markings were soldered onto the frame? Rather than having to restrike/resolder a marking on a swap gun, they'd just replace the damaged top, keeping the frame and it's unit marking as it was. Worked faster, less hassle, less registration required.

Edward Tinker · 08-03-2004, 07:48 PM

Vlim, makes sense to me!

No, unfortunately, the top is a weimar 1920! Would, like a dutchie top, that is for sure!

Ed

08-02-2004, 12:30 AM	#1
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	1920 Dutch :) This is a gun I bought strictly as a shooter from a friend of mine. It is a dutch gun with a mismatched top, the top is all matching and most of the bottom is too! My reason for presenting this "jewel" is that it is interesting, the bottom half is a dutch gun, delivered in 1928 to the West Indies, serial # 12964, the grips are both stamped with the serial number, and no other markings that I can make out. The grips were shiney as all get out, as they had varnish or something that was very bright and too slick looking: I stripped them, and put one coat of linseed oil on them. Stripped no oil: After linseed oil: I thought the coloration was very nice on these grips, and had more depth to them than usual. I believe they are period? Comments Ed __________________ 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

08-02-2004, 01:10 AM	#2
Russ User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Reading, PA. Posts: 628 Thanks: 2 Thanked 38 Times in 10 Posts	They look a lot better than they used to. Russ __________________ Livin the dream!!!!!!!!!!!

08-03-2004, 07:48 PM	#6
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	Vlim, makes sense to me! No, unfortunately, the top is a weimar 1920! Would, like a dutchie top, that is for sure! Ed __________________ 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

08-02-2004, 03:14 AM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Ed, These grips are numbered in the same manner as the grips on both of my Dutch Lugers. None of mine have GS marks, it appears that the Geweermakers School was not very consistent in applying their stamp. Seems likely that yours are proper. --Dwight

08-03-2004, 01:24 AM	#4
G.W. Gill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 369 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	They look great! I like it when a project exceeds my expectations. Great job and I like the pistol.

08-03-2004, 07:40 PM	#5
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Too bad it isn't the 2850 top with the 11910 bottom, as I have the other bits. The large number of mismatched upper/lower Dutch lugers appears to point towards a fascinating but simple armory procedure. (I don't know if this particular example also has a Dutch top?). Rather then repairing a damaged pistol (which was commonplace as a result of ammo quality of postwar UK-supplied 9mm sten-rounds) they'd just replace the damaged cannon with one on hand and probably repair it, shelve it for later use and put it on the next victim which needs fixing. Now, I hear you think 'why?'. Well, remember that unit markings were soldered onto the frame? Rather than having to restrike/resolder a marking on a swap gun, they'd just replace the damaged top, keeping the frame and it's unit marking as it was. Worked faster, less hassle, less registration required.