Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3. 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. Hi, reinhard, it looks like someone touched that sideplate, though. Proof marks complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger 1977, mayfield heights ohiousa, editions chez lauteur format. I dont know too many collectors that have not been taken at least once. Army that influenced the luger design adopted by the germany. Number 5 shows the left side with the serial number. Unless you are interested in other luger time periods, do not waist your time thinking you will cut corners with other reference books. The companys work force consisted of thirtythree lugers, approximately 60.
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. 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. World of lugers proof marks volume i complete listing of. Combat bookshelf author desert publications publisher object title colt automatic pistols, 18961955. German police unit marks, 19201937 old military markings. 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. The most trusted resource in luger collectible guns, phoenix investment arms offers only the finest premium grade german lugers. Borchardtluger produced 18981900 2nd model prototype used for swiss and dutch trials 2 originals known caliber 7. Not all german wwii small arms have proof marks, but most except for those early ssexcepted firearms will have waffenamts. But these weapons were all intended to support the rifleman as he took or held ground. World of lugers proof marks volume i complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger costanzo, sam. To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original pre1945 manufacture.
The book was a bit aspirational for me i wanted to collect lugers but never got beyond 1 or 2. World of lugers proof marks volume i complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger. A very rare luger variant that is referenced in world of lugers, proof marks by costanzo. In some cases, the old marks were left on, and one or two commercial ones were added. Rc, the winchester proof is an interlaced w and p, and is somewhat similar. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger by costanzo, sam and a great selection of related books. Sam costanzo is the author of world of lugers proof marks 0. It covers hundreds of models and variations from 1898 prototypes through the end of wwii. Need help with 1915 artillery luger with no proof marks.
Luger gunsinvestment grade collectible german lugers. Also covered are lugers used by germanys ally, bulgaria, and the lugers tested by the u. I think i just had a hard earned lesson in reading research material more thoroughly. 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 of misgiving, without particular direction. 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. It has the then standard wwaa inspection and proof marks, not the later hwaa stick eagle marks. The prior owners ownership stamps appear on the title page and the inside back cover. There are two stick wing eagle proof marks with the number 63 underneath and two eagle swastika proof marks. The encirclement of british proof marks, according to the rules of proof of 1925, indicates firearms of foreign manufacture. Book world of lugers proof marks for sale at gunauction. I also did not take a picture of the rear which shows the last 2 digits if the serial. The luger had been adopted by a military branch of a top shelf european military power.
World of lugers serial numbers of lugers issued to german. 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. I by costanzo, sam and a great selection of related books. This all matching 42 coded luger was manufactured by mauser in 1939. Serial numbers were often repeated on thousands of luger pistols. The national sporting arms museum, at the bass pro shops in springfield, missouri, at explores and exhibits the. 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. Author fadco publishing publisher object title world of lugers proof marks complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger. 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 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. There are three periods in the german proof system, divided into two countries. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945. Also note the firing proof is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from vertical this changes to vertical on the 1937 dated lugers.
Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945 this is one of a. Read standard catalog of luger online by aarron davis books. Outofprint gunbooks gun books for sale part of gunbooks. The manufacturers mark, production year, letter following or below the serial number and proof marks help narrow down the identity of a specific luger model. In4 22,5 x 28,5 cm, relie, 432 pages, ouvrage en anglais english book reliure cartonnage rouge, premier plat. 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. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger by costanzo, sam. Most are black silhouettes, but some of those that have been produced from photographs have a quasi 3 dimensional appearance that requires the onlooker.
Apr 17, 2009 lugers might be the most faked, redone, and tinkered with group of guns out there. They are often found in combination with proofmarks, and still more frequently on unproved arms made in countries where no official proof was existent. You need to identify all of these marks to help determine the identity of a german luger 761b or any other luger model. Hardcover 291 pages september 10, 1988 third reich lugers by jan c. So on the 900 series the proof house put the stamps on the right side. This luger is a toggle locked, recoil operated, semiautomatic pistol that is chambered in 9mm parabellum. Doesnt have the swasticka eagle marks, but what one might call an eagle. 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.
Lugers at random has long been considered the top reference book on luger pistols by collectors and researchers alike. The holster could be worth some money, though, and you might post better pictures of it. P08 luger proof marks just got one in the shop, a mauser, s42 toggle, 1936 over the chamber. The pistol was originally a wwi luger, dated 1916, and was reworked somewhere between 19231935. Over several months i closely examined the barrels of my own lugers. An extremely interesting and unusual piece, whether it is of this period or not, is the socalled baby luger pistol chambered for the 7. The national firearms museum, at the nra headquarters in fairfax, virginia, details and examines the nearly 700year history of firearms with a special emphasis on firearms, freedom, and the american experience. Oct 26, 2012 m1911a1 markings sign in to follow this. I by costanzo, sam and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. It utilizes a front blade sight and a v notch rear sight located on the rear link. 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. World of lugers estimate chf 70 chf 140 apr 30, 2016. Armourers marks are quite distinct from proofmarks, and comprise the private marks, ciphers, stamps, or signatures of the individual armourers or gunsmiths.
In some cases, ngc has made adjustments or edits to the prices, descriptions and specifications. The attached pic is from a 1918 arty with dwm toggle. Hardcover 312 pages september 10, 1993 axis pistols by jan c. Yes, at this time there were also submachine guns, pistols, antiarmor weapons, and machine guns. World of lugers proof marks volume i complete listing of different. The following information comes from the book of the pistol and revolver by hugh b. I cannot find these proof marks in any of the books in my micro luger library. Luger proofacceptance mark identification guide 18981945 this is one of a series of identification guides for small arms. The picture on the left shows us 4 proof marks or waffenamtweapons office 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. It is fed by an 8 round detachable box magazine but it can also be fed so using a 32 round detachable drum. The luger pistol its history and development from 18931947. Waffenamts are german wwii military acceptance stamps.
World of lugers proof marks volume i by sam costanzo this is an excellent reference guide for luger pistols. May be together with private makers marks and stamps. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger sam costanzo. Proof marks ballistics bev fitchetts guns magazine. The following tables list the base forms for police unit marks found in german small arms markings from authentic sources by j. Apr 20, 2009 original proof marks were often ground away also and replaced by commercial proof marks of that period. If you have any pictures of the letters, numbers, and markings, that would help too. 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. 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. Normally plaved between viewmark and definitive proof mark. The world coin price guide was independently compiled by krause publications numismaster. Reproduction of symbols and makers marks from every model of luger for use in accurately. Borchardtluger produced 18981900 2nd model prototype with modifications 2 originals known caliber 7. 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.
How to identify a german luger 761b gone outdoors your. 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. The nra museums are home to the finest firearms collection in the world. The drawings vary in style due to differences in the original information. 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. 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. Hardcover 360 pages september 10, 1989 lugers at random. 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. This book was published by sam costanzo a few years prior to its major work, world of lugers proof marks. Excellent hardcover book with illustrations on luger proof marks. Complete listing of different variations of proof marks on the luger costanzo, sam on.
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. This book contains english translations of the actual regulations issued by the german authorities from the imperial and weimar eras, and is an. Standard catalog of luger pageperfect nook book by. Luger markings identification help axis history forum. Serial numbers of lugers issued to german agents in the united states, 191916, vol.
265 846 538 396 874 346 666 990 887 1351 1198 1211 664 850 927 1328 1037 1455 237 893 157 504 1531 762 1076 1192 1165 1383 261 870 759 863 1030 307 811 1332 1161 1100 1169 154 811