1918 DWM artillery question

howardjia · 02-28-2018, 03:42 PM

Thanks for letting me join this forum. I am new to Luger.
I find a very nice all matching 1918 DWM artillery luger in local gun store. It looks nice but I have a question.
There is no letter (a or b) under the serial number on the bottom of the barrel and the frame. Is that correct? And I can see a circle N on the frame. What does it mean?
I am attaching a picture from this forum which show that letter under the serial number.
Sorry, I cannot take a picture of the gun that I saw.
Thanks!

HerrKaiser · 02-28-2018, 03:53 PM

Firstly, the "circle" N should be a crown N which is the commercial nitro proof stating that this model is meant for modern smokeless powder. TBH more pictures including a takedown of the piece and pictures of the markings (numbers, symbols, etc) will help the most. Plenty of good videos on youtube to help show you how to take down your luger properly. Be sure to take clear, quality pictures and describe in detail symbols you cant seem to get clear pics of. Also recommend you choose from one of the large variety of Luger identification books out there, they will help you immensely. Believe me I have come a long way in just 2 months since I purchased my luger in January and still have a very long way to go.

DavidJayUden · 02-28-2018, 04:15 PM

We can't be certain without good photos, but the lack of a letter (suffix) may indicate that it was one of the early 9999 mfg. that year, before they started over with the letter A. Not an issue either way.
The N may suggest a commercial gun, not sure on that one.
dju

George Anderson · 02-28-2018, 04:33 PM

1918 DWM LP08s have serial numbers running from no suffix to j suffix.

howardjia · 02-28-2018, 06:15 PM

thanks for your reply.
The gun shop asks for $3600. The Luger is all matching number including a matching number mag. It also comes with one holster dated 1917. 90% original finish, the bore seems shiny. What do you think of this price?

HerrKaiser · 02-28-2018, 07:13 PM

Just because you cant be too sure, ask him to prove to you that every number matches. If they do, yeah that seems to be about right but a little on the high end price wise. If you can justify buying it and can afford it, sure.

DonVoigt · 02-28-2018, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerrKaiser

Firstly, the "circle" N should be a crown N which is the commercial nitro proof stating that this model is meant for modern smokeless powder. TBH more pictures including a takedown of the piece and pictures of the markings (numbers, symbols, etc) will help the most. Plenty of good videos on youtube to help show you how to take down your luger properly. Be sure to take clear, quality pictures and describe in detail symbols you cant seem to get clear pics of. Also recommend you choose from one of the large variety of Luger identification books out there, they will help you immensely. Believe me I have come a long way in just 2 months since I purchased my luger in January and still have a very long way to go.

Actually the circle N is present in the "well" of the frame that the take down lever passes through. This is a final inspection marking of DWM and not a proof mark.

Military lugers of WWI do not have Crown/N proofs, the C/N is a civilian proof.

DavidJayUden · 02-28-2018, 09:15 PM

The price doesn't sound too bad IF, and only IF all numbers match, it is an original mag, not a later force-matched mag, and the holster is correct and in good shape. But we really do need photos, good ones, before we can go much further.
dju

howardjia · 02-28-2018, 10:09 PM

I am a lucky man, because I find the correct information on an auction website. This gun was bid for $2000. And according to the description, it is not all matching.

Here is the description:

DWM 1918 Dated Artillery Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster

Blade front and tangent rear sights, "1918" date on the chamber and "DWM" monogram on the toggle link. Three "crown/letter" proofs are present on the right side of the barrel extension, Imperial Eagle firing proofs on the extension, barrel and breechblock. External numbers are matching, excluding the unnumbered front sight. Proper "GESICHERT" and "GELADEN" markings on the upper safety position and extractor respectively, with a pair of checkered grips. Included with the pistol is a brown leather "1917" dated H. Becker & Company flap holster, "crown/W" marked takedown tool and a steel cleaning rod with a wood handle.

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

Very fine as restored, with 90% plus blue finish, showing some mild wear and handling marks overall. The side plate and takedown lever are renumber/refinished to match pistol. The firing pin is a mixed numbered replacement, and the nickel finished wood base magazine has a single digit (1) restamped to match. The grips are excellent with some stains and dents. The holster is fine, with some cracks and scuffs. Mechanically excellent

HerrKaiser · 02-28-2018, 11:56 PM

It is an artillery shooter grade one then. I woudnt pay more than 2000 for it and most here would probably say its only worth 1500 or so. If you can get it for that price, it wouldnt be bad.

02-28-2018, 03:42 PM	#1
howardjia User Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 9 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1918 DWM artillery question Thanks for letting me join this forum. I am new to Luger. I find a very nice all matching 1918 DWM artillery luger in local gun store. It looks nice but I have a question. There is no letter (a or b) under the serial number on the bottom of the barrel and the frame. Is that correct? And I can see a circle N on the frame. What does it mean? I am attaching a picture from this forum which show that letter under the serial number. Sorry, I cannot take a picture of the gun that I saw. Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

02-28-2018, 03:53 PM	#2
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	Firstly, the "circle" N should be a crown N which is the commercial nitro proof stating that this model is meant for modern smokeless powder. TBH more pictures including a takedown of the piece and pictures of the markings (numbers, symbols, etc) will help the most. Plenty of good videos on youtube to help show you how to take down your luger properly. Be sure to take clear, quality pictures and describe in detail symbols you cant seem to get clear pics of. Also recommend you choose from one of the large variety of Luger identification books out there, they will help you immensely. Believe me I have come a long way in just 2 months since I purchased my luger in January and still have a very long way to go.

02-28-2018, 04:15 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	We can't be certain without good photos, but the lack of a letter (suffix) may indicate that it was one of the early 9999 mfg. that year, before they started over with the letter A. Not an issue either way. The N may suggest a commercial gun, not sure on that one. dju

02-28-2018, 04:33 PM	#4
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	1918 DWM LP08s have serial numbers running from no suffix to j suffix.

02-28-2018, 06:15 PM	#5
howardjia User Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 9 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thanks for your reply. The gun shop asks for $3600. The Luger is all matching number including a matching number mag. It also comes with one holster dated 1917. 90% original finish, the bore seems shiny. What do you think of this price?

02-28-2018, 07:13 PM	#6
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	Just because you cant be too sure, ask him to prove to you that every number matches. If they do, yeah that seems to be about right but a little on the high end price wise. If you can justify buying it and can afford it, sure.

02-28-2018, 09:15 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	The price doesn't sound too bad IF, and only IF all numbers match, it is an original mag, not a later force-matched mag, and the holster is correct and in good shape. But we really do need photos, good ones, before we can go much further. dju

02-28-2018, 10:09 PM	#9
howardjia User Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 9 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I am a lucky man, because I find the correct information on an auction website. This gun was bid for $2000. And according to the description, it is not all matching. Here is the description: DWM 1918 Dated Artillery Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster Blade front and tangent rear sights, "1918" date on the chamber and "DWM" monogram on the toggle link. Three "crown/letter" proofs are present on the right side of the barrel extension, Imperial Eagle firing proofs on the extension, barrel and breechblock. External numbers are matching, excluding the unnumbered front sight. Proper "GESICHERT" and "GELADEN" markings on the upper safety position and extractor respectively, with a pair of checkered grips. Included with the pistol is a brown leather "1917" dated H. Becker & Company flap holster, "crown/W" marked takedown tool and a steel cleaning rod with a wood handle. Class: Curio & Relic Handgun Very fine as restored, with 90% plus blue finish, showing some mild wear and handling marks overall. The side plate and takedown lever are renumber/refinished to match pistol. The firing pin is a mixed numbered replacement, and the nickel finished wood base magazine has a single digit (1) restamped to match. The grips are excellent with some stains and dents. The holster is fine, with some cracks and scuffs. Mechanically excellent

02-28-2018, 11:56 PM	#10
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	It is an artillery shooter grade one then. I woudnt pay more than 2000 for it and most here would probably say its only worth 1500 or so. If you can get it for that price, it wouldnt be bad.