Partial S/N Suffix

AmateurE · 01-25-2016, 06:55 PM

First off, a big shout out to all in providing the wealth of info found on this forum. I'm looking for a confirmation as to the suffix on my commercial .30 cal Luger. It looks like it may have been a partial strike of the letter stamp. I reviewed the script letters on the Technical information page, and luckily found a post directing me to further examples. I believe it is an "O", but I will defer to masses.

Mac Cat · 01-26-2016, 12:02 AM

I'm no expert, but it looks like an "o" to me, as well.
I agree, it looks like it was not fully punched.

DavidJayUden · 01-26-2016, 12:08 AM

Partial stamp of an X or O? Add to the bottom and the possibilities are limiteless. I'm just not seeing a double stamp.
dju

Edward Tinker · 01-26-2016, 12:36 AM

made it where you get notified of postings

It would help to know WHAT it belongs to? DATE? Caliber? Markings? An 'O' suffix would not be certain years, so we can also narrow it down a bit ...

Sergio Natali · 01-26-2016, 03:47 AM

I think it's a "O", but please give us some more details and close up pictures of the gun, oherwise a partial "O" or a partial anything else hasn't got much sense..

John Sabato · 01-26-2016, 09:01 AM

IMHO the suffix letter in this example is a "O"... after refreshing my mind with the suffix charts in the Technical Info section, I can't see how it could be anything else.

Just my $0.02

DavidJayUden · 01-26-2016, 09:11 AM

Still partial to that X myself, as shown on Gortz' chart. Unfortunately, the letter is a bit low, right on the radius of the curve, making for a difficult, full, strike.
Just my $.02, and besides, once we know the year, that may rule me out as well.
dju

Norme · 01-26-2016, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Still partial to that X myself, as shown on Gortz' chart. Unfortunately, the letter is a bit low, right on the radius of the curve, making for a difficult, full, strike.
Just my $.02, and besides, once we know the year, that may rule me out as well.
dju

You can't tell the year of an Alphabet Commercial without knowing the suffix letter.
Norm

Lugerdoc · 01-26-2016, 12:00 PM

AE, Your suffix letter is definately an "O". The alphabet commericals began production at 2000 i in 1923, so your O block pistol would be about 60,000 guns into the series (no J block) starting in 1923. If you assume a production rate of about 10K per year, that would make your pistol approximately a 1928 production. TH

Edward Tinker · 01-26-2016, 12:06 PM

Norm, I agree, but more info, markings, proofs, etc - would show us thats its not a WW1 example that was sent to the USA

more info is helpful

AmateurE · 01-26-2016, 01:52 PM

Thank you all for the quick responses. It is a DWM commercial in 30 cal. Seems to have the 86 stamped on the pieces that I can see. Vertical N with crown above take down lever and the same on the breechblock. I've attached a few pics, please let me know if you need a specific view.

Edward Tinker · 01-26-2016, 02:06 PM

What is this?

I have never seen anything marked here before

Edward Tinker · 01-26-2016, 02:14 PM

Borrowed Dwights words

Quote:

Mid-1921 the commercial serial# series reached 92000. DWM converted commercial production to the military convention of numbering, four digits with letter suffix. Numbering began with letter suffix i , guns have upright c/N proofs. This is new designation Alphabet Commercial (formerly 1920 Commercial). (Not all sources agree with Still about the changeover beginning at serial# 92000.)

So, what letters are looking like an 'o' from i to q

o
p
q

So, I would say since p was not used and q is questionable - that I agree with the above

lugersrkewl · 01-26-2016, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

What is this?

I have never seen anything marked here before

Germany

rhuff · 01-26-2016, 04:29 PM

I have a much earlier Alphabet Luger (i suffix) produced in 1921. On my Luger the suffix is not only on the frame, but also on the barrel below the serial number. I do not know if this was changed in later commercial production Lugers, but if not, your suffix should be there also. Someone will be along to educate me if the later commercial Lugers dropped this method of marking.

John Sabato · 01-26-2016, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugersrkewl

Germany

I respectfully disagreed. The last three letters appeared to be "EED"

BUT

A H H .... I see. It IS "GERMANY" in all caps but upside down!

DavidJayUden · 01-26-2016, 07:24 PM

Nice uncluttered looking gun. Sort of nice without all those markings...

AmateurE · 01-26-2016, 08:24 PM

Gents, I hate to admit it, but I think I officially have egg on my face with my first post on LugerForum..... In reading Rhuff's post about a S/N and suffix on the bottom of the barrel, I immediately checked mine, and there were no markings. That's when it hit me, the upper assembly I have had for years is not the original. It is a 9mm upper that I bought to take advantage of cheap ammo. The original .30 cal upper was sitting in the safe. Low and behold there is a S/N with a perfectly formed "O" suffix under the barrel. So much for my mantra of searching for an answer before you ask others (as I initiate the walk of shame). I do thank all of you for your replies.

DavidJayUden · 01-26-2016, 09:17 PM

I see it all so clearly, now.
dju

cirelaw · 01-26-2016, 09:45 PM

Examples ~http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.c...bie/script.htm

01-25-2016, 06:55 PM	#1
AmateurE New User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Partial S/N Suffix First off, a big shout out to all in providing the wealth of info found on this forum. I'm looking for a confirmation as to the suffix on my commercial .30 cal Luger. It looks like it may have been a partial strike of the letter stamp. I reviewed the script letters on the Technical information page, and luckily found a post directing me to further examples. I believe it is an "O", but I will defer to masses. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Edward Tinker; 01-26-2016 at 12:35 AM.

01-26-2016, 12:36 AM	#4
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	made it where you get notified of postings It would help to know WHAT it belongs to? DATE? Caliber? Markings? An 'O' suffix would not be certain years, so we can also narrow it down a bit ... __________________ 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

01-26-2016, 03:47 AM	#5
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I think it's a "O", but please give us some more details and close up pictures of the gun, oherwise a partial "O" or a partial anything else hasn't got much sense.. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

01-26-2016, 09:01 AM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	IMHO the suffix letter in this example is a "O"... after refreshing my mind with the suffix charts in the Technical Info section, I can't see how it could be anything else. Just my $0.02 __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-26-2016, 12:00 PM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	AE, Your suffix letter is definately an "O". The alphabet commericals began production at 2000 i in 1923, so your O block pistol would be about 60,000 guns into the series (no J block) starting in 1923. If you assume a production rate of about 10K per year, that would make your pistol approximately a 1928 production. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

01-26-2016, 12:02 AM	#2
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 733 Thanks: 2,100 Thanked 610 Times in 329 Posts	I'm no expert, but it looks like an "o" to me, as well. I agree, it looks like it was not fully punched.

01-26-2016, 12:08 AM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Partial stamp of an X or O? Add to the bottom and the possibilities are limiteless. I'm just not seeing a double stamp. dju

01-26-2016, 09:11 AM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Still partial to that X myself, as shown on Gortz' chart. Unfortunately, the letter is a bit low, right on the radius of the curve, making for a difficult, full, strike. Just my $.02, and besides, once we know the year, that may rule me out as well. dju

01-26-2016, 12:06 PM	#10
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	Norm, I agree, but more info, markings, proofs, etc - would show us thats its not a WW1 example that was sent to the USA more info is helpful

01-26-2016, 01:52 PM	#11
AmateurE New User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you all for the quick responses. It is a DWM commercial in 30 cal. Seems to have the 86 stamped on the pieces that I can see. Vertical N with crown above take down lever and the same on the breechblock. I've attached a few pics, please let me know if you need a specific view. Attached Thumbnails

01-26-2016, 02:06 PM	#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	What is this? I have never seen anything marked here before Attached Images

01-26-2016, 04:29 PM	#15
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	I have a much earlier Alphabet Luger (i suffix) produced in 1921. On my Luger the suffix is not only on the frame, but also on the barrel below the serial number. I do not know if this was changed in later commercial production Lugers, but if not, your suffix should be there also. Someone will be along to educate me if the later commercial Lugers dropped this method of marking.

01-26-2016, 07:24 PM	#17
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Nice uncluttered looking gun. Sort of nice without all those markings...

01-26-2016, 08:24 PM	#18
AmateurE New User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Gents, I hate to admit it, but I think I officially have egg on my face with my first post on LugerForum..... In reading Rhuff's post about a S/N and suffix on the bottom of the barrel, I immediately checked mine, and there were no markings. That's when it hit me, the upper assembly I have had for years is not the original. It is a 9mm upper that I bought to take advantage of cheap ammo. The original .30 cal upper was sitting in the safe. Low and behold there is a S/N with a perfectly formed "O" suffix under the barrel. So much for my mantra of searching for an answer before you ask others (as I initiate the walk of shame). I do thank all of you for your replies. Attached Thumbnails

01-26-2016, 09:17 PM	#19
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I see it all so clearly, now. dju

01-26-2016, 09:45 PM	#20
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Examples ~http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.c...bie/script.htm