Serial number alignment

BirdOfPrey · 09-23-2017, 10:20 PM

So, I might buy a luger that looks to be all correct other than one thing I'm not sure about. The two serial numbers on the sideplate do not align. The second number is higher than the first. I was wondering if this was a common thing?

DonVoigt · 09-23-2017, 10:48 PM

Fairly common.
But it would be smart to post more pictures in case there is something else that looks odd or good!

BirdOfPrey · 09-23-2017, 11:26 PM

Thanks for your input. I posted more pics with this post and it also looks like the rear toggle doesn't have a serial number, but I'll have to see it in person. All else seems to be correct. It's a g date navy. Navy g dates have been seen in the d, e, and f series. I'm going to take a stills book with me when I look at it.

DonVoigt · 09-23-2017, 11:47 PM

A G date navy is a nice find.

Norme · 09-24-2017, 12:42 AM

Hi Stan,
Welcome to the forum! I don't see any red flags in the posted photos. The area on the rear toggle where the numbers are stamped is very under-exposed (black) and you will likely see the numbers when you handle the gun in person. G dates rarely have numbered grips, but the numbers look legit.
Regards, Norm

BirdOfPrey · 09-24-2017, 07:15 AM

Thanks guys, I did have a g date years ago which has numbered grips, but had to sell it during my divorce. Stills book is being shipped and will get to me on Oct. 2nd. I'll see what the book says about the grips and take it with me when I go look at the gun to check out everything else.

alvin · 09-24-2017, 08:00 AM

>> but had to sell it during my divorce

So, money can be parted? Divorce is rich Americans' favorite game, and should be avoided if possible.

There were pictures printed in some publications showing German used hand tools to apply some markings digit by digit, or symbol by symbol. Those inspector stamps were applied that way. s/n on some parts were also applied that way. Very low tech, so misalignment was common.

BirdOfPrey · 09-24-2017, 09:14 AM

Thanks Alvin, I did see somewhere that is more common in earlier lugers (k and g date). Wanted to bring it to this forum and get some opinions.

I agree divorce should be avoided if possible. She left me bc I can't have kids so nothing I could really do about that. Had a g date and a black widow which I sold to help me buy her out of the house.

mrerick · 09-24-2017, 11:16 AM

It's not uncommon to see anomalies in the stamped markings on these pistols. I have one from 1936 with an overstamped first serial number digit that is factory. An inattentive technician picked up the wrong die (the second digit's die) then overstamped it with the correct first digit. This passed inspection.

Check the inside of the trigger plate to see if it is blank, has "20" stamped inside or "21" stamped inside.

ithacaartist · 09-24-2017, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

Divorce is rich Americans' favorite game, and should be avoided if possible.

Maybe not...

BirdOfPrey · 09-24-2017, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

It's not uncommon to see anomalies in the stamped markings on these pistols. I have one from 1936 with an overstamped first serial number digit that is factory. An inattentive technician picked up the wrong die (the second digit's die) then overstamped it with the correct first digit. This passed inspection.

Check the inside of the trigger plate to see if it is blank, has "20" stamped inside or "21" stamped inside.

Which is correct? Blank, 20, or 21? Thanks for the info.

mrerick · 09-24-2017, 01:13 PM

I have to check the reference material for the "G" date, but it's one of the three. Early on, their production process was still in flux, it might be any of the three for a given block. I'm not near my copy of Don Hallock and Joop van der Kant's book "The Mauser Parabellum" right now.

Norme · 09-24-2017, 02:25 PM

G date Lugers do not have internal side-plate numbers.
Norm

09-23-2017, 10:20 PM	#1
BirdOfPrey User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Delta, PA Posts: 9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Serial number alignment So, I might buy a luger that looks to be all correct other than one thing I'm not sure about. The two serial numbers on the sideplate do not align. The second number is higher than the first. I was wondering if this was a common thing? Attached Thumbnails

09-23-2017, 10:48 PM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Fairly common. But it would be smart to post more pictures in case there is something else that looks odd or good! __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

09-23-2017, 11:26 PM	#3
BirdOfPrey User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Delta, PA Posts: 9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for your input. I posted more pics with this post and it also looks like the rear toggle doesn't have a serial number, but I'll have to see it in person. All else seems to be correct. It's a g date navy. Navy g dates have been seen in the d, e, and f series. I'm going to take a stills book with me when I look at it. Attached Thumbnails

09-23-2017, 11:47 PM	#4
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	A G date navy is a nice find. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

09-24-2017, 11:16 AM	#9
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	It's not uncommon to see anomalies in the stamped markings on these pistols. I have one from 1936 with an overstamped first serial number digit that is factory. An inattentive technician picked up the wrong die (the second digit's die) then overstamped it with the correct first digit. This passed inspection. Check the inside of the trigger plate to see if it is blank, has "20" stamped inside or "21" stamped inside. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-24-2017, 12:42 AM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Stan, Welcome to the forum! I don't see any red flags in the posted photos. The area on the rear toggle where the numbers are stamped is very under-exposed (black) and you will likely see the numbers when you handle the gun in person. G dates rarely have numbered grips, but the numbers look legit. Regards, Norm

09-24-2017, 07:15 AM	#6
BirdOfPrey User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Delta, PA Posts: 9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks guys, I did have a g date years ago which has numbered grips, but had to sell it during my divorce. Stills book is being shipped and will get to me on Oct. 2nd. I'll see what the book says about the grips and take it with me when I go look at the gun to check out everything else.

09-24-2017, 08:00 AM	#7
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	>> but had to sell it during my divorce So, money can be parted? Divorce is rich Americans' favorite game, and should be avoided if possible. There were pictures printed in some publications showing German used hand tools to apply some markings digit by digit, or symbol by symbol. Those inspector stamps were applied that way. s/n on some parts were also applied that way. Very low tech, so misalignment was common.

09-24-2017, 09:14 AM	#8
BirdOfPrey User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Delta, PA Posts: 9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Alvin, I did see somewhere that is more common in earlier lugers (k and g date). Wanted to bring it to this forum and get some opinions. I agree divorce should be avoided if possible. She left me bc I can't have kids so nothing I could really do about that. Had a g date and a black widow which I sold to help me buy her out of the house.

09-24-2017, 01:13 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	I have to check the reference material for the "G" date, but it's one of the three. Early on, their production process was still in flux, it might be any of the three for a given block. I'm not near my copy of Don Hallock and Joop van der Kant's book "The Mauser Parabellum" right now. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-24-2017, 02:25 PM	#13
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	G date Lugers do not have internal side-plate numbers. Norm