Hello, I am new to this forum, I have a .30 Luger, that I have inherited from my Grandfather, that he brought back from overseas. I was wandering what it is. I will try to explain it best as I can...Overall dimensions are 8.25" long, from tip of barrell to where it enters the frame is 3", numbers are the same stamped on everything, but the magazine, Saftey is stamped gesichert, front of frame is 20** Germany, and a M below that. It looks like a little crown stamp above a N. and when loaded GELADEN is up on the extractor. Bottom of the clip is stamped S/42. I just finally found some ammo for this, and it shoots pretty sweet. Thanks for the help, and looking forward to hearing from you all...Also, I have I believe another .30, and 2 9mm's. once I can get this IDed than I will post about the others.Thanks...-Joshua
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Luger
- Thread starter Joshua M.
- Start date
- Status
-
Not open for further replies.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The S42 magazine code means the magazine was made by Mauser in 1942.
As for the Luger itself, there should be some similiar date code on the top of the toggle or bolt that tells who made it and when.
Without that, it would be very difficult to say what it is.
The extractor & safety markings are common to all German Lugers.
gesichert = On Safe
GELADEN = Loaded
Barrel length is measured from the muzzle to the bolt face by sticking a rod down the barrel.
Your's has what is commonly called a 4" barrel, which actually will measure 3.9" or so.
rc
As for the Luger itself, there should be some similiar date code on the top of the toggle or bolt that tells who made it and when.
Without that, it would be very difficult to say what it is.
The extractor & safety markings are common to all German Lugers.
gesichert = On Safe
GELADEN = Loaded
Barrel length is measured from the muzzle to the bolt face by sticking a rod down the barrel.
Your's has what is commonly called a 4" barrel, which actually will measure 3.9" or so.
rc
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, if it is a DWM (Deutsche Waffenund Munitionsfabriken) it is pre-WWII. Mauser purchased the DWM machinery in 1929.
The Crown over N proofmark on your gun = German "Nitro" commercial proof. Found on Lugers produced after 1920.
SO, it is starting to sound like a DWM Commercial Luger produced between 1920 - 1928.
But I am far removed from being a Luger expert!
You might wade through Simpsons listings and see if you can find something similiar.
https://www.simpsonltd.com/index.ph...age=1&osCsid=9cdca4e3bff246169f09118a44a1fe02
rc
The Crown over N proofmark on your gun = German "Nitro" commercial proof. Found on Lugers produced after 1920.
SO, it is starting to sound like a DWM Commercial Luger produced between 1920 - 1928.
But I am far removed from being a Luger expert!
You might wade through Simpsons listings and see if you can find something similiar.
https://www.simpsonltd.com/index.ph...age=1&osCsid=9cdca4e3bff246169f09118a44a1fe02
rc
Jim Watson
Member
Close, clear pictures of the gun(s) and markings would be a big help.
Does it have a lug for a shoulder stock?
From John Walter's 'The Luger Book'
(Crown) N was a proof mark used from 1912 until 1939.
For a while, Mauser sold guns with the DWM logo to cash in on the established trademark.
"Germany" stamp indicates it was meant for sale in an English speaking market. The US had required that since 1903.
Does it have a lug for a shoulder stock?
From John Walter's 'The Luger Book'
(Crown) N was a proof mark used from 1912 until 1939.
For a while, Mauser sold guns with the DWM logo to cash in on the established trademark.
"Germany" stamp indicates it was meant for sale in an English speaking market. The US had required that since 1903.
Well, I tried the pics, but my camera isn't very clear. I looked at one of my other ones, that one is a 9mm, and it has 1915 on the front of the slide, where as this one hasn't any numbers. From what I have heard my Grandpa got them while in Northern Africa, and Italy, in the later part of WWII. The 9mm has a spare clip and it has a wooden end. They all have holsters, that I am guessing are original, as he never shot them, and the holsters are WELL used, I am not sure if they were taken from dead enemies or what, I wish I would have been old enough to ask him some of these questions...
It sounds like what is commonly called a "1920 commercial." Those were ex-military guns rebarrelled and sold on the world market in the 1920's when Germany was in desperate need of hard currency.
The original caliber was 9mm, but the Versailles treaty prohibited the Germans from making 9mm pistols, so they rebarrelled the guns to 7.65 Parabellum (which we call the .30 Luger).
Those guns were imported by the thousands between wars and are the commonest .30 Lugers.
They were nicely refinished and reblued, but the military type serial number gives away their origin.
While .30 Luger ammo is expensive, shooting one of those guns is a pleasure. The recoil is low, the guns are very accurate and very reliable.
Unfortunately, those guns are low on the Luger totem pole in regard to value. $1200 is about tops, but Luger prices are always in flux, so I wouldn't take that for gospel.
Jim
The original caliber was 9mm, but the Versailles treaty prohibited the Germans from making 9mm pistols, so they rebarrelled the guns to 7.65 Parabellum (which we call the .30 Luger).
Those guns were imported by the thousands between wars and are the commonest .30 Lugers.
They were nicely refinished and reblued, but the military type serial number gives away their origin.
While .30 Luger ammo is expensive, shooting one of those guns is a pleasure. The recoil is low, the guns are very accurate and very reliable.
Unfortunately, those guns are low on the Luger totem pole in regard to value. $1200 is about tops, but Luger prices are always in flux, so I wouldn't take that for gospel.
Jim
- Status
-
Not open for further replies.
Similar threads
- Replies
- 24
- Views
- 3K
