Pictures of recently inherited Luger

famman47 · 08-21-2006, 03:16 PM

I recently was given this Luger and kit by my Grandparents. My Grandfather reports having unburdened a German officer of it in the 40's (a common story I'm sure.) I don't know if the small caliber conversion kit was acquired at the same time, but both came back from the war with Grandpa.

I'm having a hard time matching the various markings with the examples provided in the forum, so I though I would just put some pictures up of the gun, its markings and the rest of the kit. The proof marks appear to be of the "nitro" commercial variety, but then all the major parts are stamped with at least the last two of the serial number, which I've read is an indicator of a military Luger. As the pictures show, there is no marking above the chamber, unlike any of the examples in the Marking documents on the forum. Any insight would be appreciated. I'd particularly like to know the approximate year of manufacture.

I can't seem to get more than one file attached to this post, so I will try to post the other pics in the Member Pictures Section with my user name, famman47, in the tittle/description/folder name.

Thanks

Brent B. · 08-21-2006, 04:30 PM

My first thought is it's a 1908 DWM since it doesn't have a date on the chamber, the small parts are strawed and there's no stock lug. The mag appears to be from WW2. I tried to locate your other photos but couldn't find them.

I'm sure one of the other guys will find the additional photos and be able to let you know in more detail what you have.

Nice looking Luger.

Brent B.

famman47 · 08-21-2006, 04:56 PM

Edward Tinker · 08-21-2006, 07:35 PM

It is a 1908 commercial variation that was put into the police service. It has a sear safety on the left (put onto guns in 1933) and the holster is a nazi era (1941) rural police holster (it is brown, city holsters were generally black). Let me look at the pictures a bit more.

It could have gone into the military, or it could have belonged to a soldier who became a police. Most likely it was in storage or military service and then came into police service at some point.

The 22 conversion is army (well at least not police), and appears to be all matching.

Ed

Dwight Gruber · 08-21-2006, 08:06 PM

Julian,

I have taken the liberty to lighten some of your pictures a bit to improve their visibility, and am posting them here to make them easier to see. This is a spectacular ensemble, and worth the look.

--Dwight

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...mber_copy1.jpg

Dwight Gruber · 08-21-2006, 08:27 PM

Dwight Gruber · 08-21-2006, 08:40 PM

policeluger · 08-21-2006, 08:47 PM

DG...thanks, I comparied it to my 1908 police, two matching HS mags and an DE/su25 proofed barrel, SN# 51197, you don't see alot of these, and not in such great detailed pictures, thanks again

Dwight Gruber · 08-21-2006, 09:01 PM

Dwight Gruber · 08-21-2006, 09:07 PM

Ed beat me to the punch with the P-08 Commercial ID. I can add that the sear bar was modified in service from the early type to the relieved type, the work being done without the part being reblued and so leaving bare metal.

Howard is right as well about the quality and selection of pictures, thanks very much for the look.

This is a really great Luger, in excellent shape, with a terrific .22 conversion unit. Your grandfather has given you a marvellous and valuable gift to treasure.

--Dwight

famman47 · 08-22-2006, 02:22 AM

Thanks for all the input. Regarding the conversion kit, the barrel and magazine both have 448 stamped, while the the toggle assembly is numbered 967 (67.) Does this indicate that these parts were not together in the original kit? Also, there is a small part cavity in the kit box which has not had a matching part since I have had the kit. The only other pictures I've found of similar kits show this cavity also being empty, yet in the descriptions of the pictures, no mention is made of anything being missing from the kit. Was there originally some sort of disposable item stored there?

Also, would this gun be considered a "shooter" or a collector's piece? I've been told that both my uncle and grandfather have at times shot the gun, but I have yet to do so. Should I refrain?

Ron Wood · 08-22-2006, 03:13 AM

It is not unusual for these kits to be mismatched. The numbers should all be the same, but it isn't a real big deal if they aren't. The empty cavity is for storage of the ejector. When you install the sub-caliber conversion unit, the normal ejector for the 9mm cartridge is not needed. There is no provision in the conversion breechblock to accomodate it, so it was intended for the ejector to be removed and stored in the case so it wouldn't be lost.
As the others have indicated, you have inherited a really marvelous rig. Congratulations. It is rather unique in several respects, so from a collector's standpoint I would be a bit reluctant to shoot it. It is an excellent example of the marriage of two eras and it would be indeed unfortunate if it was damaged by firing it. They just don't make them like this any more.

famman47 · 08-22-2006, 09:23 PM

Thank you for the additional information, Mr. Wood. I guess if I want to experience shooting it badly enough, I'll have to find a less valuable unit to purchase or at least to try out.

08-21-2006, 03:16 PM	#1
famman47 User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pictures of recently inherited Luger I recently was given this Luger and kit by my Grandparents. My Grandfather reports having unburdened a German officer of it in the 40's (a common story I'm sure.) I don't know if the small caliber conversion kit was acquired at the same time, but both came back from the war with Grandpa. I'm having a hard time matching the various markings with the examples provided in the forum, so I though I would just put some pictures up of the gun, its markings and the rest of the kit. The proof marks appear to be of the "nitro" commercial variety, but then all the major parts are stamped with at least the last two of the serial number, which I've read is an indicator of a military Luger. As the pictures show, there is no marking above the chamber, unlike any of the examples in the Marking documents on the forum. Any insight would be appreciated. I'd particularly like to know the approximate year of manufacture. I can't seem to get more than one file attached to this post, so I will try to post the other pics in the Member Pictures Section with my user name, famman47, in the tittle/description/folder name. Thanks Attached Images

08-21-2006, 07:35 PM	#4
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	It is a 1908 commercial variation that was put into the police service. It has a sear safety on the left (put onto guns in 1933) and the holster is a nazi era (1941) rural police holster (it is brown, city holsters were generally black). Let me look at the pictures a bit more. It could have gone into the military, or it could have belonged to a soldier who became a police. Most likely it was in storage or military service and then came into police service at some point. The 22 conversion is army (well at least not police), and appears to be all matching. 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

08-22-2006, 03:13 AM	#12
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	It is not unusual for these kits to be mismatched. The numbers should all be the same, but it isn't a real big deal if they aren't. The empty cavity is for storage of the ejector. When you install the sub-caliber conversion unit, the normal ejector for the 9mm cartridge is not needed. There is no provision in the conversion breechblock to accomodate it, so it was intended for the ejector to be removed and stored in the case so it wouldn't be lost. As the others have indicated, you have inherited a really marvelous rig. Congratulations. It is rather unique in several respects, so from a collector's standpoint I would be a bit reluctant to shoot it. It is an excellent example of the marriage of two eras and it would be indeed unfortunate if it was damaged by firing it. They just don't make them like this any more. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-21-2006, 04:30 PM	#2
Brent B. User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 176 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My first thought is it's a 1908 DWM since it doesn't have a date on the chamber, the small parts are strawed and there's no stock lug. The mag appears to be from WW2. I tried to locate your other photos but couldn't find them. I'm sure one of the other guys will find the additional photos and be able to let you know in more detail what you have. Nice looking Luger. Brent B.

08-21-2006, 04:56 PM	#3
famman47 User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here are the addresses for the pictures I've uploaded. http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...mplete_kit.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload..._left_side.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...eft_side_1.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...right_side.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload..._luger_top.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...uger_top_1.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...of_chamber.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload..._of_barrel.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...and_barrel.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...oggle_link.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...e_assembly.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...e_assembly.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...p_assembly.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...p_assembly.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...p_assembly.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...7_p_muzzle.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...f_receiver.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...f_magazine.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...f_magazine.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...e_magazine.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...of_holster.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...lster_flap.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...of_holster.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...on_kit_box.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...kit_opened.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...kit_toggle.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...kit_toggle.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...n_kit_bolt.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...kit_barrel.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...azine_base.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...azine_edge.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...azine_side.jpg

08-21-2006, 08:06 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Julian, I have taken the liberty to lighten some of your pictures a bit to improve their visibility, and am posting them here to make them easier to see. This is a spectacular ensemble, and worth the look. --Dwight http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...mber_copy1.jpg

08-21-2006, 08:27 PM	#6
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts

08-21-2006, 08:40 PM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts

08-21-2006, 08:47 PM	#8
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	DG...thanks, I comparied it to my 1908 police, two matching HS mags and an DE/su25 proofed barrel, SN# 51197, you don't see alot of these, and not in such great detailed pictures, thanks again

08-21-2006, 09:01 PM	#9
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts

08-21-2006, 09:07 PM	#10
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Ed beat me to the punch with the P-08 Commercial ID. I can add that the sear bar was modified in service from the early type to the relieved type, the work being done without the part being reblued and so leaving bare metal. Howard is right as well about the quality and selection of pictures, thanks very much for the look. This is a really great Luger, in excellent shape, with a terrific .22 conversion unit. Your grandfather has given you a marvellous and valuable gift to treasure. --Dwight

08-22-2006, 02:22 AM	#11
famman47 User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the input. Regarding the conversion kit, the barrel and magazine both have 448 stamped, while the the toggle assembly is numbered 967 (67.) Does this indicate that these parts were not together in the original kit? Also, there is a small part cavity in the kit box which has not had a matching part since I have had the kit. The only other pictures I've found of similar kits show this cavity also being empty, yet in the descriptions of the pictures, no mention is made of anything being missing from the kit. Was there originally some sort of disposable item stored there? Also, would this gun be considered a "shooter" or a collector's piece? I've been told that both my uncle and grandfather have at times shot the gun, but I have yet to do so. Should I refrain?

08-22-2006, 09:23 PM	#13
famman47 User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you for the additional information, Mr. Wood. I guess if I want to experience shooting it badly enough, I'll have to find a less valuable unit to purchase or at least to try out.