Recent acquisition Luger to ID

Pilotpete · 09-30-2021, 10:19 PM

Hello all, I recently purchased a Luger with snail mag from a pilots widow. It is my first Luger that is non Erma. This one is marked by DWM. But finding the rest of its story is proving difficult for me. Tried various sites to no avail. Any help would be appreciated. The Luger is in 30 parabellum with a stock lug, 4 inch barrel with no chamber markings. The snail mag is made for this 30 parabellum caliber.

Vlim · 10-01-2021, 06:49 AM

A few observations:

The side plate is missing on the top photo.
Better photos are needed to assess things correctly.
The drum magazine is made by Bing in Nurenberg and was made for military use, for the 9mm cartridge. But 30 luger will work as the outer dimensions of both cartridges are the same, the 9mm being derived from the .30 luger.
Attaching a stock to this pistol is illegal in the USA.

lugerholsterrepair · 10-01-2021, 04:59 PM

The pistol has been re finnished at some point.

Edward Tinker · 10-01-2021, 05:39 PM

We need close up of all exterior and need full right, full left, full top
Serial number is likely late 1920's to early 1930's, but we need other questions answered.

lugerholsterrepair · 10-01-2021, 08:28 PM

The safety lever looks flat. Original German levers had a rounded top along the shaft. I wonder if this one is Swiss?

mrerick · 10-01-2021, 08:35 PM

Welcome to the forum.

You probably have a DWM Alphabet commercial Luger from around 1923-1925. These were made in Berlin between WW-I and WW-II for commercial sale, and were extensively imported into the US.

We publish a FAQ PDF with extensive reference information. Please download a copy, it's free.

Pilotpete · 10-05-2021, 06:04 PM

Thank you all for your kind help in identifying this perplexing Luger. Here are a couple more pics of the sides. There is no marking above the chamber. The only marking on the sides is the Nand crown. Otherwise it is quite devoid of the markings I’m seeing on every one else’s collectible.

Doubs · 10-05-2021, 06:21 PM

It certainly appears to be an Alphabet Commercial Luger. The n suffix would have been made approximately 1924 - give or take. The last two digits of the serial number should appear on the back of the rear toggle and on the underside of the take down lever (locking bolt) and the side plate as seen below.

Pilotpete · 10-05-2021, 07:13 PM

I will be parting with the snail magazine, if anyone needs that for their collection. Thank you again for the response Doubs. This one does not have any stampings on the locking lever and side plate. It does have it on the toggle back. I remember your uniform well by the way. I used to be in the Air Force as well. Though my main bases are now closed...Griffiss AFB, Teplehof, Roslyn ANG station.

09-30-2021, 10:19 PM	#1
Pilotpete New User Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Recent acquisition Luger to ID Hello all, I recently purchased a Luger with snail mag from a pilots widow. It is my first Luger that is non Erma. This one is marked by DWM. But finding the rest of its story is proving difficult for me. Tried various sites to no avail. Any help would be appreciated. The Luger is in 30 parabellum with a stock lug, 4 inch barrel with no chamber markings. The snail mag is made for this 30 parabellum caliber. Attached Thumbnails

10-01-2021, 04:59 PM	#3
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	The pistol has been re finnished at some point. __________________ 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."

10-01-2021, 05:39 PM	#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	We need close up of all exterior and need full right, full left, full top Serial number is likely late 1920's to early 1930's, but we need other questions answered. __________________ 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

10-01-2021, 08:28 PM	#5
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	The safety lever looks flat. Original German levers had a rounded top along the shaft. I wonder if this one is Swiss? __________________ 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."

10-01-2021, 08:35 PM	#6
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	Welcome to the forum. You probably have a DWM Alphabet commercial Luger from around 1923-1925. These were made in Berlin between WW-I and WW-II for commercial sale, and were extensively imported into the US. We publish a FAQ PDF with extensive reference information. Please download a copy, it's free. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-01-2021, 06:49 AM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	A few observations: The side plate is missing on the top photo. Better photos are needed to assess things correctly. The drum magazine is made by Bing in Nurenberg and was made for military use, for the 9mm cartridge. But 30 luger will work as the outer dimensions of both cartridges are the same, the 9mm being derived from the .30 luger. Attaching a stock to this pistol is illegal in the USA.

10-05-2021, 06:04 PM	#7
Pilotpete New User Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Thank you all for your kind help in identifying this perplexing Luger. Here are a couple more pics of the sides. There is no marking above the chamber. The only marking on the sides is the Nand crown. Otherwise it is quite devoid of the markings I’m seeing on every one else’s collectible. Attached Thumbnails

10-05-2021, 06:21 PM	#8
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,700 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,692 Times in 555 Posts	It certainly appears to be an Alphabet Commercial Luger. The n suffix would have been made approximately 1924 - give or take. The last two digits of the serial number should appear on the back of the rear toggle and on the underside of the take down lever (locking bolt) and the side plate as seen below.

10-05-2021, 07:13 PM	#9
Pilotpete New User Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	I will be parting with the snail magazine, if anyone needs that for their collection. Thank you again for the response Doubs. This one does not have any stampings on the locking lever and side plate. It does have it on the toggle back. I remember your uniform well by the way. I used to be in the Air Force as well. Though my main bases are now closed...Griffiss AFB, Teplehof, Roslyn ANG station.