What the...???

k98mike · 04-15-2019, 07:49 PM

Has anyone ever come across a 1917-1918 DWM artillery Luger with a fine tune front sight but a standard (non fine tune) rear leaf?

MikeP · 04-15-2019, 08:14 PM

Yes

George Anderson · 04-15-2019, 09:01 PM

Quite common.

mrerick · 04-15-2019, 09:26 PM

I own one too.

DonVoigt · 04-15-2019, 09:59 PM

1917 year in that configuration is very common; 1918 not common at all.

SteveM · 04-16-2019, 08:10 PM

What a coincidence, bought one today along with a drum magazine and a stock that is no longer in it's original configuration. Someone has either reshaped the stock or replaced it entirely but it still retains an artillery stock iron but non-matching. It's been at my lgs for a while and the prices were reduced to something I could afford. I had them put it back for me and told them I would pick it up later this week.
Can't wait, it will be my first artillery.

DavidJayUden · 04-16-2019, 09:52 PM

Can we safely assume that late in the war it was probably a matter of whatever was available?
dju

DonVoigt · 04-16-2019, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Can we safely assume that late in the war it was probably a matter of whatever was available?
dju

Sort of,
a decision was taken to move to all "simple" sights; but old parts continued to be used up.

Rarely a matching fine tune rear sight will show up on a 1918- I think two have been reported.

In 1917 there is a general trend from both fine tuned to both "fixed" as production progressed, but fine tune sights show up till the end of 1917.

No hard or fast rule!

John Sabato · 04-17-2019, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveM

What a coincidence, bought one today along with a drum magazine and a stock that is no longer in it's original configuration. Someone has either reshaped the stock or replaced it entirely but it still retains an artillery stock iron but non-matching.

SteveM, if the stock is the original stock that has been reshaped, and there is any evidence to that being the case, then you should be on fairly steady legal ground in possessing this assortment of Luger components.

However, IMHO, if the wooden stock has been completely replaced by something that is a new creation, even if it still uses the original stock iron, then assembling the stock to pistol may be a violation of the National Firearms Act of 1934, and BATF rules, regarding stocked Lugers, and possession of the assembled pieces may constitute a federal felony. Be sure before you plunk down your money...

I would advise you to post some good photos of the stock here for some experienced opinions.

Just my $0.02 based on my decades of studying Lugers... so spend it wisely. Better safe than sorry.

HerrKaiser · 04-17-2019, 12:33 PM

Because everyone knows that once a Luger gets a stock it becomes a destructive device on par with an IED or a machine gun...no unsound logic to be found there whatsoever.

k98mike · 04-17-2019, 05:59 PM

The reason for the question was that I recently added an artillery Luger to my small collection, a 1917 DWM with matching stock, holster, mag pouches, tool and cleaning rod. The pistol has fine tune front and rear sights, but the rear leaf has wear and is loose in the down position. Because the fist slot is worn to about 1 1/2 it's normal size. (Something a non collector would not notice I'm sure). But it's not broken. I was thinking of (carefully and expertly) removing the sight and keeping it, and replacing it with a non fine tune leaf that's perfect that I have- if I wanted to put 50-60 rounds through it over the next 20 years, and this would keep the original unit in unbroken condition. Thoughts?

SteveM · 04-17-2019, 07:47 PM

k98mike, no intent to hijack your post. I'll start a new one.

John Sabato, I'm fully aware of the ramifications with questionable stocked pistols. The one that I picked up was on GB at one time and I advised the seller to leave the stock out of the auction. It is not an original artillery that has been redone. Too long and thick, Someone spent some time and fitted the iron to a homemade stock.

04-15-2019, 07:49 PM	#1
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	What the...??? Has anyone ever come across a 1917-1918 DWM artillery Luger with a fine tune front sight but a standard (non fine tune) rear leaf?

04-15-2019, 09:26 PM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	I own one too. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-15-2019, 09:59 PM	#5
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	1917 year in that configuration is very common; 1918 not common at all. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

04-17-2019, 12:33 PM	#10
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	Because everyone knows that once a Luger gets a stock it becomes a destructive device on par with an IED or a machine gun...no unsound logic to be found there whatsoever. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

04-15-2019, 08:14 PM	#2
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Yes

04-15-2019, 09:01 PM	#3
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	Quite common.

04-16-2019, 08:10 PM	#6
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	What a coincidence, bought one today along with a drum magazine and a stock that is no longer in it's original configuration. Someone has either reshaped the stock or replaced it entirely but it still retains an artillery stock iron but non-matching. It's been at my lgs for a while and the prices were reduced to something I could afford. I had them put it back for me and told them I would pick it up later this week. Can't wait, it will be my first artillery.

04-16-2019, 09:52 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Can we safely assume that late in the war it was probably a matter of whatever was available? dju

04-17-2019, 05:59 PM	#11
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	The reason for the question was that I recently added an artillery Luger to my small collection, a 1917 DWM with matching stock, holster, mag pouches, tool and cleaning rod. The pistol has fine tune front and rear sights, but the rear leaf has wear and is loose in the down position. Because the fist slot is worn to about 1 1/2 it's normal size. (Something a non collector would not notice I'm sure). But it's not broken. I was thinking of (carefully and expertly) removing the sight and keeping it, and replacing it with a non fine tune leaf that's perfect that I have- if I wanted to put 50-60 rounds through it over the next 20 years, and this would keep the original unit in unbroken condition. Thoughts?

04-17-2019, 07:47 PM	#12
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	k98mike, no intent to hijack your post. I'll start a new one. John Sabato, I'm fully aware of the ramifications with questionable stocked pistols. The one that I picked up was on GB at one time and I advised the seller to leave the stock out of the auction. It is not an original artillery that has been redone. Too long and thick, Someone spent some time and fitted the iron to a homemade stock.