Info needed on a German Luger

[Patrick Chadwick]

I think that Johhny Peppers has basically got it. I am not a Luger expert, so I cannot participate in esoteric discussions of marking fashions. But I have handled, refurbished and fired what must by now be a 3-figure number of German weapons, and within the limits of that experience the sheer lack of markings is a sure sign that it has been messed around with. As is overstamping of a number in the same place - this usually indicates forced matching. Officially renumbered parts were lined out and the new number applied separately, not overstamped. But as they say, never say never...

And yes, fitting a barrel to a system without a number being stamped on it was and still is illegal. In Germany, the chambered barrel is regarded as the prime active component, so no number = highly suspect.

As to the bore diameter, surely it is quite simple to stick a 9mm bullet in the muzzle, twiddle it around, and measure the diameter of the bright line that the muzzle will rub on the nose of the bullet?

Apart from the various 9mm chamberings, readers should be aware that Lugers have been made in Germany for 9mm gas cartridges. These have a slightly reduced case diameter compered with 9mm Luger - for safety reasons, so that a live 9mm round cannot be chambered. Maybe someone has been creative here, with a gas pistol and recycled genuine Luger components?

Patrick