1920 ? german Luger. Date/value
This Luger is for sale in a local pawn shop for $600. It is marked DWM on the toggle, barrel length is about 3 3/8 inches, caliber is 7.65. The safety and loaded chamber indicator are both marked in German. All serial numbers match and are in the 3xxx range with the letter m. I see a few proofs with the Crown over a large "M". There are no import stamps/markings. Condition is good overall, no strawing, no pitting, about 50% bluing remains. One magazine with wood at bottom. Bore is very good. Grips are wood, look original with no damage. That's about all I was able to remember. What model is this, when made, and would it be a good one to collect? How's the price? Thanks for any suggestions. I know almost nothing about Lugers, but to me this looks like a good one.
"Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
"Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
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The "Crown over large M" was a receiver marking commonly found on German Navy Lugers. Unfortunately they were in 9mm with a 6" barrel.
From your description of the Luger being in 30 Caliber, with a barrel shorter then 4", it appears to be a post W W 1 rework.
My 2 Cents is that $600 is way to high, considering the above. I personally would have misgivings about paying half that amount considering the condition.
Go to this link and post your question. These guys are pros, they will happily give you the skinny on your prize before you piss your money away.
www.lugerforum.com
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$600 is not too high for a real good shape commercial Parabellum. If it's original matching (takes a loupe to really tell) and not a reblue.
The M should actually be an N under the crown. Check again!
The m suffix denotes one of many thousands, probably made in the early '20's
Anyone that can own a Luger should do so.
Stolen from, and with thanks, to Kiwibird0 -
Thank you both for the information on the Luger. I've done some more reading and believe it to be a 1923. The letter I thought to be an M may be an N. I'll look closer tomorrow. We took the barrel off and the numbers did match everywhere we looked. I forgot to mention that it is marked "GERMANY" under the barrel. I am still interested but hope to get the price down to around $450-495. If it shoots good and works smoothly I might have to give it a new home. 0 -
Maybe the collector terminology has changed but when I was collecting Lugers 30 or more years ago that model was called a 1920 commercial. These were reworked military Lugers that were rebarreled with 7.65MM barrels less than 100mm in length. As I recall the Verailles Treaty prohibited the Germans from making military handguns, e.g., 9mm cal or larger and barrel 100mm or longer. The characteristics of the 1920 Commercial, as I recall are. 1. Reworked military receiver with date ground off. 2. 1 through 4 digit serial number with a letter under it. 3. 7.65mm cal. 4. 3.58" bbl 5. Marked "Germany". That is all that I recall. These were by far the least valuable and least collectable of the Luger variations. The 1923 commercial would have a 5 digit or larger serial numbers and no letter stamped under it. If I recall correctly the 1923 models were made on new frames, thus the commercial style serial number. The military models, generally, were numbered from 1 though 9999 with an "a" under it then 1 through 9999 with a "b", etc. 0 -
Herschel, Your information matches that I found in the "Blue Book". Another reference was slightly different and I was making my guess on that. I looked at a 3rd reference and once again it matches what you said.. So, I do believe the Luger I'm considering is indeed a 1920 Commercial Model. Thank you for your posting. It was very helpful. What do you consider the value of one in very good condition with 50-60 % bluing remaining? I'm going to think hard before I buy this particular one. Maybe I can find one more collectible for the money. I guess it comes down to how much the shop owner is willing to reduce his asking price. 0 -
I am not up on current Luger prices. I do know the 1920 Commercial will not bring nearly as much as a common military model. I suggest you go to the internet auctions and look for bids or selling prices for a similar Luger. I consider beginning minimum bids and reserves meaningless in determining value. 0 -
Here's the "Gospel According To Fjestad" (in other words, Blue Book Value) [:D]
"1920 COMMERCIAL:
98% - $900
95% - $650
90% - $500
80% - $400
70% - $325
60% - $285"
The Standard Catalog of Firearms has it at:
"1920 Commercial:
Exc. - $1200
V.G. - $800
Good - $600
Fair - $450
Poor - $350"0
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