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?

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.