serial numbers

lugerrookie · 03-18-2004, 01:31 PM

As you can see by my name "Luger rookie", I need a lot of help. My question is; all the serial numbers I see on the posted pictures are 4 digits. I have a 1911 DWM with a number under the barrel of "60", that's all. All the parts are also marked "60". Any thoughts?

Edward Tinker · 03-18-2004, 02:48 PM

Yes, numbers almost always started at 1, so 60 would be the 60th either that year or that series.

Ed

Strider · 03-18-2004, 03:24 PM

Welcome to the forum Robert. Does your Luger have a suffix with the serial number? Take the time to look at the Technical Information section. There is an areas there that will help you to identify any markings and letters. There also is an identification sheet to help you with this. Again welcome to the forum.

Sid.

lugerrookie · 03-18-2004, 05:19 PM

Thanks Sid,
I've looked for suffix, and there is none. Also checked tech page, and will need time to look over the marks. Thank for the info,
Bob

George Anderson · 03-18-2004, 05:35 PM

Bob, Is the forward grip strap marked with a series of stamped numerals and letters interspersed with periods? If so they are unit markings and, while not ever common, are more often found on Lugers dated 1911 or earlier. Most folks here would be interested in the literal marking if it is marked.

Edward Tinker · 03-18-2004, 06:51 PM

Bob, I was short on time earlier, so maybe my answer was too short.

Generally military guns were numbered in blocks of 10,000, so they would start at 1, then allllll the way through to 9999 and then 10000. Then if they made more than 10,000 that year, they started at 1a, 2a, etc., till they got to 9999a, then 100000a and on and on.

So, finding 4-digit numbered guns is much more common. I have a 3 digit, but 4-digit would be much more common, simply because there are a huge amount of numbers that cover from 1000 through 10000 is many more than numbered guns from 1 - 999.

Ed

lugerrookie · 03-18-2004, 08:13 PM

George,
There are no unit marks on the weapon. There is a stamp on the right side of the frame that says " not english made" I guess this denotes that it was a bring back to England.
Bob

lugerrookie · 03-18-2004, 08:15 PM

Ed,
So then a 2 digit would be fairly odd to find?
Bob

Edward Tinker · 03-18-2004, 08:42 PM

Less often to find, but I don't think neccisarily "rarer" or more valuable.

Although some collectors would pay more for one with a two or one-digit?

Ed

Frank · 03-19-2004, 09:36 AM

I can see where a S/N 1 or 9999 (10000) might bring a few extra bucks, but any number in between is just another number to me. Of course, if I had a Luger with serial number, say 1234a, then number 1233a or 1235a would bring a few extra dollars out of my wallet!!!

Just my opinion!!

03-18-2004, 01:31 PM	#1
lugerrookie User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cincinnati,ohio Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	serial numbers As you can see by my name "Luger rookie", I need a lot of help. My question is; all the serial numbers I see on the posted pictures are 4 digits. I have a 1911 DWM with a number under the barrel of "60", that's all. All the parts are also marked "60". Any thoughts?

03-18-2004, 02:48 PM	#2
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	Yes, numbers almost always started at 1, so 60 would be the 60th either that year or that series. 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

03-18-2004, 03:24 PM	#3
Strider User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 256 Thanks: 26 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Welcome to the forum Robert. Does your Luger have a suffix with the serial number? Take the time to look at the Technical Information section. There is an areas there that will help you to identify any markings and letters. There also is an identification sheet to help you with this. Again welcome to the forum. Sid. __________________ Sid. Patience is a bitter plant, but it has sweet fruit. ~German Proverb If it is made before 1930 ..........It is a prototype.

03-18-2004, 06:51 PM	#6
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	Bob, I was short on time earlier, so maybe my answer was too short. Generally military guns were numbered in blocks of 10,000, so they would start at 1, then allllll the way through to 9999 and then 10000. Then if they made more than 10,000 that year, they started at 1a, 2a, etc., till they got to 9999a, then 100000a and on and on. So, finding 4-digit numbered guns is much more common. I have a 3 digit, but 4-digit would be much more common, simply because there are a huge amount of numbers that cover from 1000 through 10000 is many more than numbered guns from 1 - 999. 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

03-18-2004, 08:42 PM	#9
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	Less often to find, but I don't think neccisarily "rarer" or more valuable. Although some collectors would pay more for one with a two or one-digit? 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

03-18-2004, 05:19 PM	#4
lugerrookie User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cincinnati,ohio Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Sid, I've looked for suffix, and there is none. Also checked tech page, and will need time to look over the marks. Thank for the info, Bob

03-18-2004, 05:35 PM	#5
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	Bob, Is the forward grip strap marked with a series of stamped numerals and letters interspersed with periods? If so they are unit markings and, while not ever common, are more often found on Lugers dated 1911 or earlier. Most folks here would be interested in the literal marking if it is marked.

03-18-2004, 08:13 PM	#7
lugerrookie User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cincinnati,ohio Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	George, There are no unit marks on the weapon. There is a stamp on the right side of the frame that says " not english made" I guess this denotes that it was a bring back to England. Bob

03-18-2004, 08:15 PM	#8
lugerrookie User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cincinnati,ohio Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, So then a 2 digit would be fairly odd to find? Bob

03-19-2004, 09:36 AM	#10
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	I can see where a S/N 1 or 9999 (10000) might bring a few extra bucks, but any number in between is just another number to me. Of course, if I had a Luger with serial number, say 1234a, then number 1233a or 1235a would bring a few extra dollars out of my wallet!!! Just my opinion!!