Just bought my first....

Grendel · 01-09-2008, 10:26 PM

Greetings all.....I've been collecting and shooting firearms all my life, always had an interest in the Luger but it wasn't until recently that I was finally able to acquire one. So, naturally, I've got a few questions.

I was told by the seller that this gun is a "1920 Commercial" model...is there a way to find out the exact year of manufacture? The gun is in .30 caliber.

Markings that I can find so far are as follows:
Top of toggle: "DWM" script logo (I know this denotes the manufacturer)
Left side of receiver has the "Crown over N" proofmark
Front of frame has the serial number 2259 with a script "h" or "k" below that
Underside of barrel has the serial number 2259 with a similar script "h" or "k" below and another "Crown over N" proof above the serial number
Takedown lever is stamped "59" on the bottom edge
Sideplate is stamped "59" on the bottom edge
Rear toggle link is stamped "59" on the flat behind the rear sight
Extractor is stamped "GELADEN" on the left side, only noticeable when lifted out of the frame...I'm assuming this is a loaded chamber indicator?
"GESICHERT" visible on side of frame when safety is engaged
Top of chamber is blank.

Anywhere else I should be looking for numbers?

Finish is in fairly good shape for a gun of its age....there is some wear at the muzzle, on the "high spots" and edges, and noticeable wear on the frontstrap and backstrap of the grip.

So, "how did I do" for a first Luger?

Photos below:

MFC · 01-10-2008, 01:33 AM

Jeremy,
Welcome. Your pretty new pistol was made in 1922. It is known as a 1920 Commercial by most because of the older books used for years as reference. More recently (and I think more correct) it is called a DWM Alphabet commercial. Jan Stills, Weimar and early Nazi Lugers, is more up to date.
Serial #2259k, not "h", as the suffix serialization for this variation started at "i". The last two digits of the serial"59" should also be on the bottom of the extractor.bottom of the forward toggle and the lower left side of the breech block. GELADEN is German for loaded.
Enjoy it and be careful, there very addictive.
Mike C.

Grendel · 01-11-2008, 10:15 PM

Thank you for the info, Mike. Is there a source for this Still book you mention, is it still in print? I checked Amazon and all they had were used copies in the $200 and up range.

Any other books you would recommend for a beginning collector?

I have not fired it yet -- I'm planning to order some of the Fiocchi ammo that Midway has. I don't plan to fire it extensively, but it would be nice to run a box or two through it just to say I had, and maybe use it at my gun club's annual WWII weapons fun shoot (although it predates WWII by a good bit).

I've seen repro mags made by Mec-Gar - are these good for shooting or should I be looking for military mags instead? if so, what's a good source?

Anything else that I "need" to get for this gun, besides another Luger to keep it company (eventually)?

Jeremy

Edward Tinker · 01-11-2008, 10:33 PM

Jeremy, welcome to the forum. Buy an original holster and tool, why, I don't know, it'll make you feel better.

Jan Still, still has copies of Weimar Lugers, it is the best book of all of his (okay, I am prejudiced as I love the weimar era) but also love his newest, Central Powers, buy it from Jan before he runs out, then the price will double and then triple (seriously). I should buy two more to have them as trading material later

ed

Quote:

Posted - 09/17/2004 : 12:17:54 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A small printing of WEIMAR LUGERS is now available for collectors . WEIMAR LUGERS Review by Heinz Still, Volume V, Weimar Lugers Heinz http://luger.gunboards.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=583

WEIMAR LUGERS , This classic masterpiece is again available. Each is $79 plus $10 postage = $89 total per book. Foreign orders add an additional $15 postage per book. Available only from Jan C. Still. Send check or money order to:

Jan C. Still, Box 240188, Douglas, Alaska, 99824.

E-Mail at: [email protected]:

Web site at: www.stillsbooks.com

i can't remember what I was going to say, my wife called on the phone. I am sure it was something like potatoe chips, you can't have just one...

Mauser720 · 01-11-2008, 10:53 PM

Jeremy -

I recently purchased the book "Weimar And Early Nazi Lugers" directly from Jan Still. Please send me a private Email with your Email address, and I will scan and Email the order form to you. The price is $79.00 plus $10 shipping for a total of $89.00. However, the order form indicates there is going to be a price increase in 2008.

Or you could simply write to him about his books: Jan C. Still; P.O. Box 240188; Douglas, AK 99824. (I tried Emailing him recently, and his "in box" is full, so that won't work, at least for now.)

Another good one he just published is "Central Powers Pistols, The Great War Pistols of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria" which is $88.00 plus $10 shipping for a total of $98.00. It's also an outstanding reference.

Another really good book that was given to me is "The Luger Book" by John Walter. You can watch for used copies of this one on eBay and it is excellent in my opinion. It is one that you can just pick up and read some every day - it's that interesting.

Welcome to the Luger Forum.

Mauser720 - Ron

MFC · 01-12-2008, 03:50 AM

Jeremy,
The proper mag for your gun has a tin plated tube with a plain unmarked wood bottom, or a (GERMANY) stamped wood bottom. Either would be correct. You really shouldn't use these for shooting. The wood can dry out and become brittle with age.
I've heard that Mec-Gar and Triple K mags work well, but if you want the best, buy an FXO mag, which was made for WWII Lugers. You'll have a mag that will probably function properly for the rest of you and your children's life. Don't worry about the finish (% of blueing) on it, just find one with no dents. They usually sell for $100- $125 range for the ones with aluminum bottoms. The ones with black bakolite bottoms can sell for twice as much.
You can post what you want on the (Want to Buy) forum, or try some of the auction sites like Gunbroker or Auctionarms. Lugerdoc who is a member of this forum is also a very good reliable source for any Luger parts.
Good luck,
Mike C.
PS. The DWM Alphabet commercial IS in Weimar Lugers, but is NOT covered in Central Powers, which covers only military variations.

01-09-2008, 10:26 PM	#1
Grendel User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Just bought my first.... Greetings all.....I've been collecting and shooting firearms all my life, always had an interest in the Luger but it wasn't until recently that I was finally able to acquire one. So, naturally, I've got a few questions. I was told by the seller that this gun is a "1920 Commercial" model...is there a way to find out the exact year of manufacture? The gun is in .30 caliber. Markings that I can find so far are as follows: Top of toggle: "DWM" script logo (I know this denotes the manufacturer) Left side of receiver has the "Crown over N" proofmark Front of frame has the serial number 2259 with a script "h" or "k" below that Underside of barrel has the serial number 2259 with a similar script "h" or "k" below and another "Crown over N" proof above the serial number Takedown lever is stamped "59" on the bottom edge Sideplate is stamped "59" on the bottom edge Rear toggle link is stamped "59" on the flat behind the rear sight Extractor is stamped "GELADEN" on the left side, only noticeable when lifted out of the frame...I'm assuming this is a loaded chamber indicator? "GESICHERT" visible on side of frame when safety is engaged Top of chamber is blank. Anywhere else I should be looking for numbers? Finish is in fairly good shape for a gun of its age....there is some wear at the muzzle, on the "high spots" and edges, and noticeable wear on the frontstrap and backstrap of the grip. So, "how did I do" for a first Luger? Photos below:

01-11-2008, 10:53 PM	#5
Mauser720 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 535 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts	Jeremy - I recently purchased the book "Weimar And Early Nazi Lugers" directly from Jan Still. Please send me a private Email with your Email address, and I will scan and Email the order form to you. The price is $79.00 plus $10 shipping for a total of $89.00. However, the order form indicates there is going to be a price increase in 2008. Or you could simply write to him about his books: Jan C. Still; P.O. Box 240188; Douglas, AK 99824. (I tried Emailing him recently, and his "in box" is full, so that won't work, at least for now.) Another good one he just published is "Central Powers Pistols, The Great War Pistols of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria" which is $88.00 plus $10 shipping for a total of $98.00. It's also an outstanding reference. Another really good book that was given to me is "The Luger Book" by John Walter. You can watch for used copies of this one on eBay and it is excellent in my opinion. It is one that you can just pick up and read some every day - it's that interesting. Welcome to the Luger Forum. Mauser720 - Ron __________________ Mauser720 - Ron "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it."

01-12-2008, 03:50 AM	#6
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Jeremy, The proper mag for your gun has a tin plated tube with a plain unmarked wood bottom, or a (GERMANY) stamped wood bottom. Either would be correct. You really shouldn't use these for shooting. The wood can dry out and become brittle with age. I've heard that Mec-Gar and Triple K mags work well, but if you want the best, buy an FXO mag, which was made for WWII Lugers. You'll have a mag that will probably function properly for the rest of you and your children's life. Don't worry about the finish (% of blueing) on it, just find one with no dents. They usually sell for $100- $125 range for the ones with aluminum bottoms. The ones with black bakolite bottoms can sell for twice as much. You can post what you want on the (Want to Buy) forum, or try some of the auction sites like Gunbroker or Auctionarms. Lugerdoc who is a member of this forum is also a very good reliable source for any Luger parts. Good luck, Mike C. PS. The DWM Alphabet commercial IS in Weimar Lugers, but is NOT covered in Central Powers, which covers only military variations. __________________ Mike C.

01-10-2008, 01:33 AM	#2
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Jeremy, Welcome. Your pretty new pistol was made in 1922. It is known as a 1920 Commercial by most because of the older books used for years as reference. More recently (and I think more correct) it is called a DWM Alphabet commercial. Jan Stills, Weimar and early Nazi Lugers, is more up to date. Serial #2259k, not "h", as the suffix serialization for this variation started at "i". The last two digits of the serial"59" should also be on the bottom of the extractor.bottom of the forward toggle and the lower left side of the breech block. GELADEN is German for loaded. Enjoy it and be careful, there very addictive. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

01-11-2008, 10:15 PM	#3
Grendel User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you for the info, Mike. Is there a source for this Still book you mention, is it still in print? I checked Amazon and all they had were used copies in the $200 and up range. Any other books you would recommend for a beginning collector? I have not fired it yet -- I'm planning to order some of the Fiocchi ammo that Midway has. I don't plan to fire it extensively, but it would be nice to run a box or two through it just to say I had, and maybe use it at my gun club's annual WWII weapons fun shoot (although it predates WWII by a good bit). I've seen repro mags made by Mec-Gar - are these good for shooting or should I be looking for military mags instead? if so, what's a good source? Anything else that I "need" to get for this gun, besides another Luger to keep it company (eventually)? Jeremy