need help with info on a 9mm luger

cstock · July 13, 2006, 02:01 AM

Hi, I inherited a mess load of OLD pistols and rifles, one I really need help finding info on is a 9mm luger that has the USA Eagle on it and the DWM, it is made in Germany,has a 5 digit S/N 188xx and as far as I can tell all the parts have the same S/N's on them. it is in excellent condition with 2 clips. any info you can give would be great.

James K · July 13, 2006, 03:22 PM

That serial is a bit low for the usual range of American Eagle Lugers, so bear with me for some questions.

Does it have a grip safety?

Is the extractor marked "LOADED" or "GELADEN"?

Is the manual safety area marked "SAFE" or "GESICHERT" or is there no mark?

Is there any mark on the bottom of the magazines other than the serial number?

If you have seen other Lugers, does the barrel appear thicker than usual?

Is the serial number on the front of the frame above the trigger guard?

Are there any other markings, such as an importer's mark?

Can you provide some pictures of the gun (closeups please) and of the markings on the receiver ring and toggles?

Jim

cstock · July 13, 2006, 04:20 PM

when i posted the thread last night right after picking up the guns,, i had assumed that it was a 9mm because thats what i was told and the 1000 rounds of 9mm that came in the box with the guns,,, i got to the bottom of the box this morning and found the clips for it with the .30 rounds in them, turns out the 1000 rounds of 9mm are for the S&W 39-2 that was also in the box.

yes it has the safety grip
there are no marks other than the eagle and the DWM on top
the s/n is on the trigger guard with "germany" under that.

it was late last night, i even got the s/n wrong,,, it was 183XX not 188xx as i thought.
i will get some close ups of it and post them.

cstock · July 13, 2006, 08:38 PM

hopefully these are good enough close ups

Jim Watson · July 13, 2006, 09:54 PM

Pistol is an "Old Model" 1900 pattern Luger made by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken in Berlin.
According to 'The Luger Book' by John Walter, it was probably made in 1903.
The "Germany" origin marking was required for US sales beginning in 1902 and Portugal bought 100 guns from serial number 18801 up in late 1903 - early 1904.

The front sight is not typical (It looks like brass, is it?) and is likely a replacement. Otherwise the gun looks in good shape in the pictures. Worth substantial money, check the sales sites for 1900 Lugers.
There is one in the 18000 range at
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=52416608

cstock · July 14, 2006, 04:13 PM

you all have been a huge help, I was trying to determine how much to insure it for, yes the front sight does appear to be brass.

James K · July 14, 2006, 11:12 PM

Hi, cstock,

That pistol appears to have little original finish and most is brown patina, as the seller says. I consider his "buy now" price much too high for that gun. Yours has plenty of original finish and IMHO would be worth in the neighborhood of $3000-3500. Of course with Luger prices going through the roof, I could be wrong on the low side.

Keep an eye on that gun and see what it brings.

Jim

July 13, 2006, 02:01 AM	#1
cstock Junior Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 4	need help with info on a 9mm luger Hi, I inherited a mess load of OLD pistols and rifles, one I really need help finding info on is a 9mm luger that has the USA Eagle on it and the DWM, it is made in Germany,has a 5 digit S/N 188xx and as far as I can tell all the parts have the same S/N's on them. it is in excellent condition with 2 clips. any info you can give would be great.

July 13, 2006, 04:20 PM	#3
cstock Junior Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 4	oops when i posted the thread last night right after picking up the guns,, i had assumed that it was a 9mm because thats what i was told and the 1000 rounds of 9mm that came in the box with the guns,,, i got to the bottom of the box this morning and found the clips for it with the .30 rounds in them, turns out the 1000 rounds of 9mm are for the S&W 39-2 that was also in the box. yes it has the safety grip there are no marks other than the eagle and the DWM on top the s/n is on the trigger guard with "germany" under that. it was late last night, i even got the s/n wrong,,, it was 183XX not 188xx as i thought. i will get some close ups of it and post them.

July 14, 2006, 04:13 PM	#6
cstock Junior Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 4	thanks Jim you all have been a huge help, I was trying to determine how much to insure it for, yes the front sight does appear to be brass.

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July 13, 2006, 03:22 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That serial is a bit low for the usual range of American Eagle Lugers, so bear with me for some questions. Does it have a grip safety? Is the extractor marked "LOADED" or "GELADEN"? Is the manual safety area marked "SAFE" or "GESICHERT" or is there no mark? Is there any mark on the bottom of the magazines other than the serial number? If you have seen other Lugers, does the barrel appear thicker than usual? Is the serial number on the front of the frame above the trigger guard? Are there any other markings, such as an importer's mark? Can you provide some pictures of the gun (closeups please) and of the markings on the receiver ring and toggles? Jim

July 13, 2006, 09:54 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Pistol is an "Old Model" 1900 pattern Luger made by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken in Berlin. According to 'The Luger Book' by John Walter, it was probably made in 1903. The "Germany" origin marking was required for US sales beginning in 1902 and Portugal bought 100 guns from serial number 18801 up in late 1903 - early 1904. The front sight is not typical (It looks like brass, is it?) and is likely a replacement. Otherwise the gun looks in good shape in the pictures. Worth substantial money, check the sales sites for 1900 Lugers. There is one in the 18000 range at http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=52416608

July 14, 2006, 11:12 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, cstock, That pistol appears to have little original finish and most is brown patina, as the seller says. I consider his "buy now" price much too high for that gun. Yours has plenty of original finish and IMHO would be worth in the neighborhood of $3000-3500. Of course with Luger prices going through the roof, I could be wrong on the low side. Keep an eye on that gun and see what it brings. Jim