The stamped figure on the far right has a crown on top and all other similar proofs in my books have a circle with an x on top. This book was published by sam costanzo a few years prior to its major work, world of lugers proof marks. Apr 17, 2009 lugers might be the most faked, redone, and tinkered with group of guns out there. This luger is a toggle locked, recoil operated, semiautomatic pistol that is chambered in 9mm parabellum. Waffenamts are german wwii military acceptance stamps. My unproofed artillery luger is described on pages 184 and 185 of kenyons lugers at random as a 1920 artillery commercial, which may have chamber dates of 19141918, and may not have any proof marks, and serial numbered in the same range as mine.
The encirclement of british proof marks, according to the rules of proof of 1925, indicates firearms of foreign manufacture. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger sam costanzo. World of lugers serial numbers of lugers issued to german. The following information comes from the book of the pistol and revolver by hugh b. World of lugers estimate chf 70 chf 140 apr 30, 2016. Normally plaved between viewmark and definitive proof mark. World of lugers proof marks volume i complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger costanzo, sam. Standard catalog of luger pageperfect nook book by.
Need help with 1915 artillery luger with no proof marks. Book world of lugers proof marks for sale at gunauction. The book was a bit aspirational for me i wanted to collect lugers but never got beyond 1 or 2. An extremely interesting and unusual piece, whether it is of this period or not, is the socalled baby luger pistol chambered for the 7. Also note the firing proof is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from vertical this changes to vertical on the 1937 dated lugers.
The holster could be worth some money, though, and you might post better pictures of it. This book contains english translations of the actual regulations issued by the german authorities from the imperial and weimar eras, and is an invaluable source of information about the often. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945 this is one of a. The national sporting arms museum, at the bass pro shops in springfield, missouri, at explores and exhibits the. The following tables list the base forms for police unit marks found in german small arms markings from authentic sources by j. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger hardcover january 1, 1977 by sam costanzo author see all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The luger had been adopted by a military branch of a top shelf european military power. The nra museums are home to the finest firearms collection in the world. I cannot find these proof marks in any of the books in my micro luger library. The book of the pistol and revolver is also available to purchase in print it is unfortunate from the point of view of history that weapons were not marked with a date letter as is customary with silver hallmarks, but the proofmarks stamped upon arms give no indication of the period of proof. Judging from the proof marks found on the main parts of this luger, it appears to have been assembled with parts of a similar luger model from around the world war one time period. Oct 26, 2012 m1911a1 markings sign in to follow this. It is fed by an 8 round detachable box magazine but it can also be fed so using a 32 round detachable drum. Borchardtluger produced 18981900 2nd model prototype used for swiss and dutch trials 2 originals known caliber 7.
You need to identify all of these marks to help determine the identity of a german luger 761b or any other luger model. Rc, the winchester proof is an interlaced w and p, and is somewhat similar. Read standard catalog of luger online by aarron davis books. Excellent hardcover book with illustrations on luger proof marks. Since this luger has been reassembled from parts from at least two different lugers, it will be interesting and a challenge to learn the history behind this pistol. Note two eagle over 63 inspection marks, and the droop wing firing proof on the barrel extension and barrel. There are two stick wing eagle proof marks with the number 63 underneath and two eagle swastika proof marks.
This encirclement was used until february 1, 1955, when the rules of proof of 1954 went into effect, and standard british proof marks were applied to firearms of foreign manufacture. Interestingly enough, most of the armies in the second world war were using either the same rifle their fathers carried in the first world war or a variant thereof. They are often found in combination with proofmarks, and still more frequently on unproved arms made in countries where no official proof was existent. An old price and a date are penned on the top right of the title page. Also covered are lugers used by germanys ally, bulgaria, and the lugers tested by the u. Proof marks complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger 1977, mayfield heights ohiousa, editions chez lauteur format. Author fadco publishing publisher object title world of lugers proof marks complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger.
The most trusted resource in luger collectible guns, phoenix investment arms offers only the finest premium grade german lugers. In4 22,5 x 28,5 cm, relie, 432 pages, ouvrage en anglais english book reliure cartonnage rouge, premier plat. The attached pic is from a 1918 arty with dwm toggle. The world coin price guide was independently compiled by krause publications numismaster. May be together with private makers marks and stamps.
Feb 06, 2012 if anyone can help me identify a commercial luger early undated dwm luger 4 9mm pistol i would greatly appreciate it, i have owned and severl p08 lugers but never as nice as this one, it is about 98 percent, excellant bore, grips, has stock lug, undated, dwm toggel all numbers matching inner and out, have shot it function great, mags are wood bottoms,unmarked, crown n on left side,right. Over several months i closely examined the barrels of my own lugers. This book contains english translations of the actual regulations issued by the german authorities from the imperial and weimar eras, and is an. The luger pistol its history and development from 18931947. World of lugers proof marks volume i complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger. Outofprint gunbooks gun books for sale part of gunbooks.
Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger costanzo, sam on. Serial numbers were often repeated on thousands of luger pistols. I by costanzo, sam and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. I also did not take a picture of the rear which shows the last 2 digits if the serial. Ngc makes the world coin price guide available to its website visitors as a free service, but in no way does the information provided represent ngcs.
There are three periods in the german proof system, divided into two countries. So on the 900 series the proof house put the stamps on the right side. The picture on the left shows us 4 proof marks or waffenamtweapons office stamps. Markings on gun barrels and other gun components that indicate the level of pressure, calibre and standards that a weapon is fit for in service. Armourers marks are quite distinct from proofmarks, and comprise the private marks, ciphers, stamps, or signatures of the individual armourers or gunsmiths. Hardcover 312 pages september 10, 1993 axis pistols by jan c. It covers hundreds of models and variations from 1898 prototypes through the end of wwii.
Reproduction of symbols and makers marks from every model of luger for use in accurately. World of lugers proof marks volume i complete listing of different. A very rare luger variant that is referenced in world of lugers, proof marks by costanzo. The lugers had invested over sixtyfive thousand dollars in machinery and buildings to create an industrial complex that included the factory, dry kiln, warehouse, varnish room, lumber shed and many other buildings. The drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. Number 5 shows the left side with the serial number. Markings on gun barrels and other gun components that indicate the level of pressure, calibre and standards that a weapon is fit for in service the drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945 this is one of a series of identification guides for small arms. Not all german wwii small arms have proof marks, but most except for those early ssexcepted firearms will have waffenamts. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger by costanzo, sam. Feb 20, 2008 proof marks are marks that show the gun has passed its proof test that is, the gun is strong enough to withstand the chamber pressures its designed for. I think i just had a hard earned lesson in reading research material more thoroughly. Combat bookshelf author desert publications publisher object title colt automatic pistols, 18961955.
It has the then standard wwaa inspection and proof marks, not the later hwaa stick eagle marks. Luger markings identification help axis history forum. I by costanzo, sam and a great selection of related books. And two world war and the development of firearms over the time, so one shall not be to surprised that the proof in germany is a bit difficult to get a grip on. P08 luger proof marks just got one in the shop, a mauser, s42 toggle, 1936 over the chamber.
Some of the known simpson markings on the pistol are the e6 on the toggle, and the crowbc proof, which indicates acceptance of an out of spec item. This is an apolitical forum for discussions on the axis nations and related topics hosted by the axis history factbook in cooperation with christian ankerstjernes panzerworld and christoph awenders ww2 day by day. Unless you are interested in other luger time periods, do not waist your time thinking you will cut corners with other reference books. Lugers at random has long been considered the top reference book on luger pistols by collectors and researchers alike. To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original pre1945 manufacture. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945.
The forth eagle proof mark is hard to see in the picture and is about an inch to the right of the first grouping and located on the barrel. The companys work force consisted of thirtythree lugers, approximately 60. It utilizes a front blade sight and a v notch rear sight located on the rear link. The nature of the witness marks made me question in my own mind the authenticity of the barrels on some of my collection, and i corresponded with other collectors to explore the topica feeling. Proof marks ballistics bev fitchetts guns magazine. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger by costanzo, sam and a great selection of related books.
In some cases, ngc has made adjustments or edits to the prices, descriptions and specifications. Borchardtluger produced 18981900 2nd model prototype with modifications 2 originals known caliber 7. I can attest that there is nothing more sickening then having someone later point out an obvious indication of tinkering on what you thought was a 98 percent pistol. Army that influenced the luger design adopted by the germany. The pistol was originally a wwi luger, dated 1916, and was reworked somewhere between 19231935. Luger gunsinvestment grade collectible german lugers.
How to identify a german luger 761b gone outdoors your. Yes, at this time there were also submachine guns, pistols, antiarmor weapons, and machine guns. Aug 04, 2008 proof stamps vary, but the crown n proof means the pistol was made for german commercial manufacture available to civilians sometime from 1911 through 1939. The prior owners ownership stamps appear on the title page and the inside back cover. Hardcover 291 pages september 10, 1988 third reich lugers by jan c. World of lugers proof marks volume i by sam costanzo this is an excellent reference guide for luger pistols. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3 dimensional appearance that requires the onlooker.
It appears that after world war 2 the proof house went to more effort to standardize, and stamp all guns on the left side and sure enough, places for the stamps were found on the left sides of the last 900 series guns. This all matching 42 coded luger was manufactured by mauser in 1939. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3. I dont know too many collectors that have not been taken at least once. Apr 20, 2009 original proof marks were often ground away also and replaced by commercial proof marks of that period. German police unit marks, 19201937 old military markings. But these weapons were all intended to support the rifleman as he took or held ground. Serial numbers of lugers issued to german agents in the united states, 191916, vol.