DWM Alphabet Commercial

eagle7373 · 10-06-2017, 11:45 AM

I have acquired a DWM Commercial Luger that I think looks pretty good. As always, you worry about whether someone may have boosted the finish. However, after looking at it closely and reading over the other recent thread on a "1920 30 Cal Commercial" I have concluded that the finish is very likely original. The wear pattern looks like original, there are halos, there is no bluing inside the frame, and the muzzle is not finished. I am less sure of the strawed parts. They just look too good. I have a couple of questions below.

I have included pictures.

But first, for Dwight Gruber, I am providing info on this Luger for your Commercial data base (in this thread, rather than adding to your "call for data" thread). I am deeply impressed with your database work and detailed knowledge of these Lugers. Hope this helps...

Ser. No: 7644/o
Cal: 7.65 para (.30)
Front of frame: 7644/o
Left Rcvr: crown/N upright
barrel bottom: crown/N upright, 7644/o
Breechblock (upper left): crown/N sideways
Fwd toggle: DWM scroll
Rear toggle: 44
Lock bolt (bottom): 44
Side plate (bottom): 44, (inside): 7
Trigger: 44
safety lever (top): 44
Grips: unmarked
Mag: non-blue (tin?) wraparound w/ non-matching number wood base

My questions:

(1) I have read the FAQs, and all the posts I can find on commercial Lugers. I know the alphabets started in 1921 at around 2000/I. I think I understand that they went to about 1929 with p, q, r, and some s, t, u in out-of-sequence or questionable circumstance (I'm fuzzy on this). Does anyone have a estimate (or guess) as to date of manufacture for my ser no? I'm guessing 1926?

(2) I note that on my Luger, and on the one discussed on the other recent post, the yellow paint for the "Gesichert" has either been mostly cleaned off or was never there to begin with. I say mostly because, with a magnifying glass I can see very small trace amounts (5% maybe) still in a couple of the letters. Is this typical for the commercial Lugers? I would expect no paint there at all if the frame had been refinished.

Any other comments?

cirelaw · 10-06-2017, 11:51 AM

Very Pretty

eagle7373 · 10-06-2017, 11:54 AM

Some more pictures. And, oh I forgot, for the database... No import mark.

Ron Wood · 10-06-2017, 02:39 PM

That is a dandy! Your photos show up very well and I have no problem going with original finish. A real jewel. I suspect the missing GESICHERT paint is the result of a former owner over cleaning it because he didn't know it was supposed to be white.
Ron

cirelaw · 10-06-2017, 03:29 PM

Sweet!!! Great Photography!!!

rhuff · 10-06-2017, 05:30 PM

If indeed this Luger is all original, then you have found a real dandy!! It would have to have lead a very sheltered life to be that nice, but it sure can/does happen to some Lugers. Thanx for showing us your new Luger.

10-06-2017, 11:45 AM	#1
eagle7373 User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 36 Thanks: 57 Thanked 31 Times in 11 Posts	DWM Alphabet Commercial I have acquired a DWM Commercial Luger that I think looks pretty good. As always, you worry about whether someone may have boosted the finish. However, after looking at it closely and reading over the other recent thread on a "1920 30 Cal Commercial" I have concluded that the finish is very likely original. The wear pattern looks like original, there are halos, there is no bluing inside the frame, and the muzzle is not finished. I am less sure of the strawed parts. They just look too good. I have a couple of questions below. I have included pictures. But first, for Dwight Gruber, I am providing info on this Luger for your Commercial data base (in this thread, rather than adding to your "call for data" thread). I am deeply impressed with your database work and detailed knowledge of these Lugers. Hope this helps... Ser. No: 7644/o Cal: 7.65 para (.30) Front of frame: 7644/o Left Rcvr: crown/N upright barrel bottom: crown/N upright, 7644/o Breechblock (upper left): crown/N sideways Fwd toggle: DWM scroll Rear toggle: 44 Lock bolt (bottom): 44 Side plate (bottom): 44, (inside): 7 Trigger: 44 safety lever (top): 44 Grips: unmarked Mag: non-blue (tin?) wraparound w/ non-matching number wood base My questions: (1) I have read the FAQs, and all the posts I can find on commercial Lugers. I know the alphabets started in 1921 at around 2000/I. I think I understand that they went to about 1929 with p, q, r, and some s, t, u in out-of-sequence or questionable circumstance (I'm fuzzy on this). Does anyone have a estimate (or guess) as to date of manufacture for my ser no? I'm guessing 1926? (2) I note that on my Luger, and on the one discussed on the other recent post, the yellow paint for the "Gesichert" has either been mostly cleaned off or was never there to begin with. I say mostly because, with a magnifying glass I can see very small trace amounts (5% maybe) still in a couple of the letters. Is this typical for the commercial Lugers? I would expect no paint there at all if the frame had been refinished. Any other comments? Attached Thumbnails Attached Images Last edited by eagle7373; 10-07-2017 at 05:27 PM.

10-06-2017, 11:54 AM	#3
eagle7373 User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 36 Thanks: 57 Thanked 31 Times in 11 Posts	More pictures Some more pictures. And, oh I forgot, for the database... No import mark. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

10-06-2017, 02:39 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	That is a dandy! Your photos show up very well and I have no problem going with original finish. A real jewel. I suspect the missing GESICHERT paint is the result of a former owner over cleaning it because he didn't know it was supposed to be white. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-06-2017, 05:30 PM	#6
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	If indeed this Luger is all original, then you have found a real dandy!! It would have to have lead a very sheltered life to be that nice, but it sure can/does happen to some Lugers. Thanx for showing us your new Luger. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

10-06-2017, 11:51 AM	#2
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Very Pretty

10-06-2017, 03:29 PM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Sweet!!! Great Photography!!!