Is this a good deal?

tumtatty · 02-08-2010, 01:03 AM

I'm new to Luger's but someone local to me put up this posting and it got me interested. Sorry the pics are so bad. I'm supposed to go see it tomorrow. If it sounds like a decent deal, what should I look for when I go in person?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

DWM MOdel 1921 Commercial Luger- chambered in .30 Luger. All numbers match on gun. Two mags, one aluminum weimar marked mag, one wood bottom mag (neither match gun). No rust, pitting, etc (flash on camera shows where bluing is browning slowly). Holster is a very nice commercial holster, no markings on it but a "72" scratched in the back. No import marks. Holster goes for anywhere from $200-$500 on ebay.com, weimar mag is worth $150 easy. I could split up and make my money, but I'd rather keep it together as a whole rig and pass it on to a collector who would appreciate it. Included is two boxes of .30 luger ammo (Fiocchi). All this for $800.

alanint · 02-08-2010, 06:33 AM

Its a good deal....

policeluger · 02-08-2010, 10:05 AM

Ditto.....

lugerholsterrepair · 02-08-2010, 10:56 AM

Tim, Like the fellows say, it's a good deal on the pistol, ammo & mags alone. The holster is a Bulgarian and not worth what the guy thinks it is. MAYBE $50 tops. Pistol looks nice. If you are looking for a Luger I would jump on this one as a starter. You can't lose.

Jerry Burney

tumtatty · 02-08-2010, 11:24 AM

Thanks guys!
Do you think that mag with the wood bottom is the original? I'm guessing that it is. I think the seller assumes it should be numbered to match, but from what I've read on this forum, commercial lugers mags were not numbered.

What should I look for when I go see the piece?

policeluger · 02-08-2010, 12:08 PM

mag looks real good from here......

Aaron · 02-08-2010, 12:24 PM

Nothing has been mentioned about the bore condition. It would be a nice extra if it's in nice shape, but not a deal breaker if it isn't.

tumtatty · 02-08-2010, 12:34 PM

The seller says the barrel is in "very good" condition.

tumtatty · 02-08-2010, 09:08 PM

Got an email from the seller. He had this to say:

The bore is at least very good. Shiny, but looks like it's been shot a bunch. I've only used a jag and a patch on it, so it may clean up. No pitting, etc.

The serial number on the gun is 814XX. There is no letter prefix (which I seem to remember made it odd). I tried researching it but got nowhere fast.

The only thing not matching are the grips, not sure if they're replacements but they look good and they could be originals.

Does it mean anything that there is no letter? Also can you tell when the piece was made?

Thanks again guys!
Oh, what would be a good first book to buy for a new luger guy?

MFC · 02-09-2010, 12:14 AM

Tim,
This Luger S#814XX was made in early 1920. It is a 20DWM commercial, formerly known as a 1923 commercial. The five digit S# is correct. DWM Alphabet commercials which have one to four digit S#'s with a suffix, started mid 1921. The grips do look like repros to me.
Any of Jan Still's Luger books are excellent, but they specialize in certain era's. I used Still's Weimar Lugers to date your Luger. A good book to start with is Kenyon's Lugers at Random. It was published over 40 years ago. Newer research shows that some of the info is incorrect, but it is still a very good reference.

tumtatty · 02-09-2010, 09:10 AM

Are the 20DWM's considered any more valuable/better quality than the Alphabets?

Edward Tinker · 02-09-2010, 10:32 AM

no, all made by DWM; in the 1920's it was found that DWM was making lugers for the military and police and they were not supposed to according to the international commission there; the contract for military work was given to the company Simson

Simson then supplied to the military and police; DWM could keep making commercials guns and did so.

Ed

n467us · 02-09-2010, 08:59 PM

Nice! Bring $800

Quote:

Originally Posted by tumtatty

I'm new to Luger's but someone local to me put up this posting and it got me interested. Sorry the pics are so bad. I'm supposed to go see it tomorrow. If it sounds like a decent deal, what should I look for when I go in person?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

DWM MOdel 1921 Commercial Luger- chambered in .30 Luger. All numbers match on gun. Two mags, one aluminum weimar marked mag, one wood bottom mag (neither match gun). No rust, pitting, etc (flash on camera shows where bluing is browning slowly). Holster is a very nice commercial holster, no markings on it but a "72" scratched in the back. No import marks. Holster goes for anywhere from $200-$500 on ebay.com, weimar mag is worth $150 easy. I could split up and make my money, but I'd rather keep it together as a whole rig and pass it on to a collector who would appreciate it. Included is two boxes of .30 luger ammo (Fiocchi). All this for $800.

tumtatty · 02-09-2010, 09:31 PM

Right onn467us!!!

I'm meeting the seller tomorrow at the police station (he's a cop).
I'll post some better pics when I get back in the evening.
I'm very excited.

Never dreamed I might own a

luger!

tumtatty · 02-11-2010, 12:39 AM

Here are some pics. I'm not sure about the barrel. The rifling looks awfully worn. I'm not sure what they should look like, but I"m guessing that it's about shot out

There is a Number 5 on the underside of the slide. Is that correct?

MFC · 02-11-2010, 12:55 AM

Tim,
The #5 on the underside of the toggle is a workers mark. It doesn't have anything to do with the S#. You can find letters and numbers in hidden places on most Lugers. They were put there at different stages of production.

Ron Wood · 02-11-2010, 02:18 AM

You would be surprised at how accurate what appears to be a shot out barrel can be. There is quite a bit of rifling left and I suspect it can launch a round downrange as accurately as most folks can aim it.
The nice grips are Italian repros and are some of the best repros on the market.

tumtatty · 02-11-2010, 09:11 AM

Does everything else look ok?

I was surprised to see the wood on the magazine had a number. I thought he said it was plain. I was hoping that it might be original to the pistol.

I'll probably sell the other Weimar mag and the holster to help recoup some of the expense for the pistol.

I will be taking it to the range on Saturday and I'll post a report.

alanint · 02-11-2010, 09:42 AM

Your wood based magazine has a crack in it. I would suggest you not use this magazine or even depress the spring, if you can avoid it. Wood bottoms have been known to just come apart and launch the spring and follower.

Perhaps Tom Heller or one of the other mag aficionados here can help repair or replace the bottom

LUIS22 · 02-13-2010, 09:39 PM

Now days its hard to find such a nice gun for that price...congrats!

02-08-2010, 01:03 AM	#1
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is this a good deal? I'm new to Luger's but someone local to me put up this posting and it got me interested. Sorry the pics are so bad. I'm supposed to go see it tomorrow. If it sounds like a decent deal, what should I look for when I go in person? Any help would be greatly appreciated. DWM MOdel 1921 Commercial Luger- chambered in .30 Luger. All numbers match on gun. Two mags, one aluminum weimar marked mag, one wood bottom mag (neither match gun). No rust, pitting, etc (flash on camera shows where bluing is browning slowly). Holster is a very nice commercial holster, no markings on it but a "72" scratched in the back. No import marks. Holster goes for anywhere from $200-$500 on ebay.com, weimar mag is worth $150 easy. I could split up and make my money, but I'd rather keep it together as a whole rig and pass it on to a collector who would appreciate it. Included is two boxes of .30 luger ammo (Fiocchi). All this for $800.

02-08-2010, 10:56 AM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Tim, Like the fellows say, it's a good deal on the pistol, ammo & mags alone. The holster is a Bulgarian and not worth what the guy thinks it is. MAYBE $50 tops. Pistol looks nice. If you are looking for a Luger I would jump on this one as a starter. You can't lose. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

02-09-2010, 12:14 AM	#10
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Tim, This Luger S#814XX was made in early 1920. It is a 20DWM commercial, formerly known as a 1923 commercial. The five digit S# is correct. DWM Alphabet commercials which have one to four digit S#'s with a suffix, started mid 1921. The grips do look like repros to me. Any of Jan Still's Luger books are excellent, but they specialize in certain era's. I used Still's Weimar Lugers to date your Luger. A good book to start with is Kenyon's Lugers at Random. It was published over 40 years ago. Newer research shows that some of the info is incorrect, but it is still a very good reference. __________________ Mike C.

02-09-2010, 10:32 AM	#12
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	no, all made by DWM; in the 1920's it was found that DWM was making lugers for the military and police and they were not supposed to according to the international commission there; the contract for military work was given to the company Simson Simson then supplied to the military and police; DWM could keep making commercials guns and did so. 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

02-11-2010, 12:55 AM	#16
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Tim, The #5 on the underside of the toggle is a workers mark. It doesn't have anything to do with the S#. You can find letters and numbers in hidden places on most Lugers. They were put there at different stages of production. __________________ Mike C.

02-08-2010, 06:33 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Its a good deal....

02-08-2010, 10:05 AM	#3
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Ditto.....

02-08-2010, 11:24 AM	#5
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys! Do you think that mag with the wood bottom is the original? I'm guessing that it is. I think the seller assumes it should be numbered to match, but from what I've read on this forum, commercial lugers mags were not numbered. What should I look for when I go see the piece?

02-08-2010, 12:08 PM	#6
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	mag looks real good from here......

02-08-2010, 12:24 PM	#7
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Nothing has been mentioned about the bore condition. It would be a nice extra if it's in nice shape, but not a deal breaker if it isn't.

02-08-2010, 12:34 PM	#8
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The seller says the barrel is in "very good" condition.

02-08-2010, 09:08 PM	#9
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Got an email from the seller. He had this to say: The bore is at least very good. Shiny, but looks like it's been shot a bunch. I've only used a jag and a patch on it, so it may clean up. No pitting, etc. The serial number on the gun is 814XX. There is no letter prefix (which I seem to remember made it odd). I tried researching it but got nowhere fast. The only thing not matching are the grips, not sure if they're replacements but they look good and they could be originals. Does it mean anything that there is no letter? Also can you tell when the piece was made? Thanks again guys! Oh, what would be a good first book to buy for a new luger guy?

02-09-2010, 09:10 AM	#11
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Are the 20DWM's considered any more valuable/better quality than the Alphabets?

02-09-2010, 09:31 PM	#14
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Right onn467us!!! I'm meeting the seller tomorrow at the police station (he's a cop). I'll post some better pics when I get back in the evening. I'm very excited. Never dreamed I might own a luger!

02-11-2010, 12:39 AM	#15
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here are some pics. I'm not sure about the barrel. The rifling looks awfully worn. I'm not sure what they should look like, but I"m guessing that it's about shot out There is a Number 5 on the underside of the slide. Is that correct?

02-11-2010, 02:18 AM	#17
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 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	You would be surprised at how accurate what appears to be a shot out barrel can be. There is quite a bit of rifling left and I suspect it can launch a round downrange as accurately as most folks can aim it. The nice grips are Italian repros and are some of the best repros on the market. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-11-2010, 09:11 AM	#18
tumtatty User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Does everything else look ok? I was surprised to see the wood on the magazine had a number. I thought he said it was plain. I was hoping that it might be original to the pistol. I'll probably sell the other Weimar mag and the holster to help recoup some of the expense for the pistol. I will be taking it to the range on Saturday and I'll post a report.

02-11-2010, 09:42 AM	#19
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Your wood based magazine has a crack in it. I would suggest you not use this magazine or even depress the spring, if you can avoid it. Wood bottoms have been known to just come apart and launch the spring and follower. Perhaps Tom Heller or one of the other mag aficionados here can help repair or replace the bottom

02-13-2010, 09:39 PM	#20
LUIS22 User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 42 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Now days its hard to find such a nice gun for that price...congrats!