First Luger--comments and questions.

Ken Lauderback · 11-23-2003, 09:48 PM

Hi Folks:
I am a newcomer to this forum. I just bought my first Luger. It is a DWM dated 1917. Most of the parts have matching numbers, but the frame is mismatched. I bought it primarily as a shooter; my father-in-law brought one back from Germany in WWII and I enjoyed shooting his.
Anyway, I gave $625 for it; hope I did okay.
I took it out and fired it today, and it seems to have one problem. After firing the first shot, it won't fire again until the trigger is pushed a fraction of an inch forward in the trigger guard. The trigger does return forward on it's own; in other words the spring does seem to be working, but something isn't quite re-setting for the next shot. It does this on nearly every shot. Does this sound like it needs cleaning and or oiling, or is there more likely a mechanical problem?
Also, I would like to find a holster for it, and another magazine-preferably one with the wood bottom.Can anyone tell me what the "883" marking below the serial number on the barrel means?
Any other information on this pistol will be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice when it comes to Luger pistols although I do have other military firearms.

Photos are attached.
Thanks
Ken

Roadkill · 11-23-2003, 10:24 PM

Ken, welcome, good looking gun, great first post. Most likely you have diagnosed the problem already, carefully cleaning inside the sideplate and the trigger housing will help fix it up. Use a pipe cleaner and alcohol to get maybe 87 years of crud out. I think the problem is minor, its just not resetting after each shot. Does the sideplate match the rest of the top assembly? The 8.83 is the bore dimension, most are 8.82-8.83. In the forums is a section for items wanted/for
sale, put out a request, you will not be disappointed. Also very good photos. That is is skill that some of us (initials TA&rk) have yet to master.

rk

Ken Lauderback · 11-24-2003, 12:35 AM

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't yet diagnosed the problem so I appreciate your help. I downloaded an e-book on the Luger so I would know how to disassemble it for cleaning, etc., as well as getting some other good info.
The side plate does match the top, incidentally; the only other part I have found that does not match (except the frame) is the "takedown lever" (if that is the correct terminology) and it matches the number on the frame. While it would be nice to have an all-matching gun, this one was within my price range and appears to be in pretty good condition.
Thanks also for the comments on the photos; I tried to get the markings to show up.
I appreciate all the help,
Ken

Ron Wood · 11-24-2003, 01:00 AM

Ken,
That is a very nice Luger. It is unfortunate that the top and bottom do not match, but both parts are in excellent original condition, so it is far from a run-of-the-mill dip blued surplus shooter. All of the markings are crisp, the blue is excellent and it is a great piece. An all matching excellent condition gun is nice to have, but you have the next best thing...an all original excellent condition gun that has been "cross bred" at some point in history. Enjoy it, take care of it and consider yourself fortunate, because a lot of guys do not do that well on their first purchase.
Great photography by the way.

Fritzer · 11-24-2003, 01:03 AM

Ken,

Marstar in Canada has repro P-08 holsters, sewn in who-knows-where, but might be okay to drop a shooter in.
http://www.marstar.ca/pouchholst.htm
They have mags too. I'm not sure what others on the forum think of their function or quality.

Regards,
Fritz.

Steve Richards · 11-24-2003, 02:41 AM

Reproduction holsters are easy to find at the shows in Portland, Hillsboro, and Canby. Quality varies but they run in the $45.00 range. MecGar magazines are about $20.00 and a nickled one would look right for a 1917 gun. Then if you wanted, Viggo could put one of his wonderful wood bottoms on it for an even better look.

Welcome to the forum! Another Oregonian.

11-23-2003, 09:48 PM	#1
Ken Lauderback User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Milwaukie, OR Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	First Luger--comments and questions. Hi Folks: I am a newcomer to this forum. I just bought my first Luger. It is a DWM dated 1917. Most of the parts have matching numbers, but the frame is mismatched. I bought it primarily as a shooter; my father-in-law brought one back from Germany in WWII and I enjoyed shooting his. Anyway, I gave $625 for it; hope I did okay. I took it out and fired it today, and it seems to have one problem. After firing the first shot, it won't fire again until the trigger is pushed a fraction of an inch forward in the trigger guard. The trigger does return forward on it's own; in other words the spring does seem to be working, but something isn't quite re-setting for the next shot. It does this on nearly every shot. Does this sound like it needs cleaning and or oiling, or is there more likely a mechanical problem? Also, I would like to find a holster for it, and another magazine-preferably one with the wood bottom.Can anyone tell me what the "883" marking below the serial number on the barrel means? Any other information on this pistol will be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice when it comes to Luger pistols although I do have other military firearms. Photos are attached. Thanks Ken __________________ Ken Lauderback Milwaukie, Oregon

11-24-2003, 12:35 AM	#3
Ken Lauderback User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Milwaukie, OR Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the reply. I hadn't yet diagnosed the problem so I appreciate your help. I downloaded an e-book on the Luger so I would know how to disassemble it for cleaning, etc., as well as getting some other good info. The side plate does match the top, incidentally; the only other part I have found that does not match (except the frame) is the "takedown lever" (if that is the correct terminology) and it matches the number on the frame. While it would be nice to have an all-matching gun, this one was within my price range and appears to be in pretty good condition. Thanks also for the comments on the photos; I tried to get the markings to show up. I appreciate all the help, Ken __________________ Ken Lauderback Milwaukie, Oregon

11-24-2003, 01:00 AM	#4
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 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	Ken, That is a very nice Luger. It is unfortunate that the top and bottom do not match, but both parts are in excellent original condition, so it is far from a run-of-the-mill dip blued surplus shooter. All of the markings are crisp, the blue is excellent and it is a great piece. An all matching excellent condition gun is nice to have, but you have the next best thing...an all original excellent condition gun that has been "cross bred" at some point in history. Enjoy it, take care of it and consider yourself fortunate, because a lot of guys do not do that well on their first purchase. Great photography by the way. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-23-2003, 10:24 PM	#2
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Ken, welcome, good looking gun, great first post. Most likely you have diagnosed the problem already, carefully cleaning inside the sideplate and the trigger housing will help fix it up. Use a pipe cleaner and alcohol to get maybe 87 years of crud out. I think the problem is minor, its just not resetting after each shot. Does the sideplate match the rest of the top assembly? The 8.83 is the bore dimension, most are 8.82-8.83. In the forums is a section for items wanted/for sale, put out a request, you will not be disappointed. Also very good photos. That is is skill that some of us (initials TA&rk) have yet to master. rk

11-24-2003, 01:03 AM	#5
Fritzer User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 134 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ken, Marstar in Canada has repro P-08 holsters, sewn in who-knows-where, but might be okay to drop a shooter in. http://www.marstar.ca/pouchholst.htm They have mags too. I'm not sure what others on the forum think of their function or quality. Regards, Fritz.

11-24-2003, 02:41 AM	#6
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Reproduction holsters are easy to find at the shows in Portland, Hillsboro, and Canby. Quality varies but they run in the $45.00 range. MecGar magazines are about $20.00 and a nickled one would look right for a 1917 gun. Then if you wanted, Viggo could put one of his wonderful wood bottoms on it for an even better look. Welcome to the forum! Another Oregonian.