First Luger 1918/1920

coffey678 · 01-20-2020, 05:13 PM

This is my first Luger and I would like to get some real info on it. I have been reading the posts an have gained some valuable info. Im not sure what the P.A.L markings are under the trigger guard.

I need a lot of education on what I have.

GerColctor · 01-20-2020, 05:27 PM

Nice DWM police unit marked Luger, that was manufactured for the Imperial Army during the last year of the Great War. The number 1920 on the chamber is not a year, as is 1918, but a property mark of the Weimar Government.
It was reassigned from military surplus to police set
Need better photos to see the sear safety that was installed on most police Lugers.

coffey678 · 01-20-2020, 05:48 PM

Here are a few pictures of the back of the Luger. Is this what you are looking for?

DonVoigt · 01-20-2020, 05:36 PM

It has also been re-blued with a little too much polishing, IMO.

P.A.L. is for the Polizei amt Leipzig, II likely is a sub-district of Leipzig, the R is for Revierpolizei or
"precinct police", and the 235 is the weapon number.

It has the sear safety questioned above.

Lugerdoc · 01-20-2020, 06:51 PM

Nice Weimar Police PO8. Too bad that it was polished and hot dip reblued. TH

coffey678 · 01-20-2020, 07:00 PM

will the polished hot dip blue ruin any value it might have had?

HerrKaiser · 01-20-2020, 07:02 PM

I notice the sideplate matches the last 2 of the pistol SN but is Erfurt proofed. Was that possibly done during a rework at some point between the wars before it went to police service?

DavidJayUden · 01-20-2020, 07:36 PM

The re-blue will hurt its value but will not ruin its value, as will the Erfurt sideplate. Just as there are all levels of collectors, there are all different levels of Lugers. Some will automatically drop it to shooter grade, but the value isn't hugely different. You have a nice gun with lots of history that you can collect and shoot.
dju

wlyon · 01-21-2020, 12:16 AM

To me if this was a unmessed with luger in very good condition VS what it is now would be $900 to $1000 difference. Bill

DavidJayUden · 01-21-2020, 12:37 AM

So Bill, are you saying that if it is now only worth, let's say, $800, but if it were an original 1918 DWM it would be worth $1800?
dju

wlyon · 01-21-2020, 10:50 AM

David; That's pretty close to what I am saying. A shooter vs a collectable. Bill

mrerick · 01-21-2020, 12:29 PM

Hello Brian, and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your first Luger. You have a great "shooter" class Luger, and should not be afraid to take it out to the range and enjoy it.

In addition to being refinished, it's had a replacement side plate installed (one from Erfurt). Even though it's got a matching number, it wasn't on the pistol when it left the factory.

To be considered collectible, it has to be close to the state it left the factory in. All matching and in original finish. As a shooter grade Luger, it's got a value of about $800 if it properly fires and cycles.

The good news is that breaking it won't destroy it's value further than the cost of replacing parts.

We publish a comprehensive FAQ document, and I suggest you download a copy:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121

Be warned that Lugers can be very addictive. Welcome to the obsession.

coffey678 · 01-21-2020, 01:26 PM

Thank you. Lots of valuable info and now I know what I have. I will enjoy it ….

Don M · 01-21-2020, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

To be considered collectible, it has to be close to the state it left the factory in.

This ignores those of us who believe the markings and other history on a Luger to also be collectible. You just have to find them!

Doubs · 01-21-2020, 02:14 PM

Is there anything stamped on the front of the trigger guard?

I see at least three parts that were made by Erfurt: side plate, trigger and breech block.

None of that detracts from the obvious history your Luger has seen. Service in WW1, service during the Weimar Republic and pressed into police use.

Yes, it's a shooter grade pistol but with a fascinating story to tell. It's a great first Luger so enjoy it.

coffey678 · 01-21-2020, 03:53 PM

All I see is one marking under the serial number on the upper trigger guard. Nothing on the lower trigger guard.

Doubs · 01-21-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffey678

All I see is one marking under the serial number on the upper trigger guard. Nothing on the lower trigger guard.

Thank you. Your frame is DWM. An Erfurt frame would have a crown over a Fractur letter on the front of the trigger guard as below.

coffey678 · 01-21-2020, 04:42 PM

What is DMW? All the Erfurit parts must have been repair work?

Doubs · 01-22-2020, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffey678

What is DMW? All the Erfurit parts must have been repair work?

The Erfurt parts will have been replacements, likely when the pistol was modified for police use.

Erfurt was an Imperial Arsenal while DWM was a privately owned company. Every part on an original Erfurt Luger will be stamped with a crown/letter somewhere. It's easy to see on your side plate. Even the grip screws were stamped by Erfurt on the early Lugers but that practice stopped about 1915. Every other part was fair game.

As an Imperial Arsenal, Erfurt was obligated to follow military directives such as the 1916 instruction to notch the front of all receivers for the rear sight of an Artillery model even if the pistol was made with the 4 inch barrel. Erfurt did but DWM as a private concern didn't have to and didn't.

MAUSER88 · 01-23-2020, 03:39 PM

Nothing wrong with having a "shooter" as your first Luger. Mine had 98% of the original finish with a shiny bore. It was put together from 4 different WWII pistol's made before 1940 on the 1936 frame.

Paid $300.00 for it back in 1988 and still shoot it a few times a year!

01-20-2020, 05:13 PM	#1
coffey678 User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 8 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	First Luger 1918/1920 This is my first Luger and I would like to get some real info on it. I have been reading the posts an have gained some valuable info. Im not sure what the P.A.L markings are under the trigger guard. I need a lot of education on what I have. Attached Thumbnails

01-20-2020, 05:27 PM	#2
GerColctor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: CT & FL Posts: 312 Thanks: 2 Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts	Nice DWM police unit marked Luger, that was manufactured for the Imperial Army during the last year of the Great War. The number 1920 on the chamber is not a year, as is 1918, but a property mark of the Weimar Government. It was reassigned from military surplus to police set Need better photos to see the sear safety that was installed on most police Lugers. __________________ It is better to have lived a day as a tiger, then a thousand years as a lamb.

01-20-2020, 05:48 PM	#3
coffey678 User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 8 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Here are a few pictures of the back of the Luger. Is this what you are looking for? Attached Thumbnails

01-20-2020, 05:36 PM	#4
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	It has also been re-blued with a little too much polishing, IMO. P.A.L. is for the Polizei amt Leipzig, II likely is a sub-district of Leipzig, the R is for Revierpolizei or "precinct police", and the 235 is the weapon number. It has the sear safety questioned above. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

01-20-2020, 06:51 PM	#5
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	Nice Weimar Police PO8. Too bad that it was polished and hot dip reblued. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

01-20-2020, 07:00 PM	#6
coffey678 User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 8 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	will the polished hot dip blue ruin any value it might have had?

01-20-2020, 07:02 PM	#7
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	I notice the sideplate matches the last 2 of the pistol SN but is Erfurt proofed. Was that possibly done during a rework at some point between the wars before it went to police service? __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

01-20-2020, 07:36 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	The re-blue will hurt its value but will not ruin its value, as will the Erfurt sideplate. Just as there are all levels of collectors, there are all different levels of Lugers. Some will automatically drop it to shooter grade, but the value isn't hugely different. You have a nice gun with lots of history that you can collect and shoot. dju

01-21-2020, 12:16 AM	#9
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	To me if this was a unmessed with luger in very good condition VS what it is now would be $900 to $1000 difference. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

01-21-2020, 12:37 AM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	So Bill, are you saying that if it is now only worth, let's say, $800, but if it were an original 1918 DWM it would be worth $1800? dju

01-21-2020, 10:50 AM	#11
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	David; That's pretty close to what I am saying. A shooter vs a collectable. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

01-21-2020, 12:29 PM	#12
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Hello Brian, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your first Luger. You have a great "shooter" class Luger, and should not be afraid to take it out to the range and enjoy it. In addition to being refinished, it's had a replacement side plate installed (one from Erfurt). Even though it's got a matching number, it wasn't on the pistol when it left the factory. To be considered collectible, it has to be close to the state it left the factory in. All matching and in original finish. As a shooter grade Luger, it's got a value of about $800 if it properly fires and cycles. The good news is that breaking it won't destroy it's value further than the cost of replacing parts. We publish a comprehensive FAQ document, and I suggest you download a copy: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121 Be warned that Lugers can be very addictive. Welcome to the obsession. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-21-2020, 01:26 PM	#13
coffey678 User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 8 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you. Lots of valuable info and now I know what I have. I will enjoy it ….

01-21-2020, 02:14 PM	#15
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,700 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,692 Times in 555 Posts	Is there anything stamped on the front of the trigger guard? I see at least three parts that were made by Erfurt: side plate, trigger and breech block. None of that detracts from the obvious history your Luger has seen. Service in WW1, service during the Weimar Republic and pressed into police use. Yes, it's a shooter grade pistol but with a fascinating story to tell. It's a great first Luger so enjoy it.

01-21-2020, 03:53 PM	#16
coffey678 User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 8 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Trigger Guard All I see is one marking under the serial number on the upper trigger guard. Nothing on the lower trigger guard. Attached Thumbnails

01-21-2020, 04:42 PM	#18
coffey678 User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 8 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	What is DMW? All the Erfurit parts must have been repair work?

01-23-2020, 03:39 PM	#20
MAUSER88 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 258 Thanks: 5 Thanked 58 Times in 31 Posts	Nothing wrong with having a "shooter" as your first Luger. Mine had 98% of the original finish with a shiny bore. It was put together from 4 different WWII pistol's made before 1940 on the 1936 frame. Paid $300.00 for it back in 1988 and still shoot it a few times a year!