How to Check If A P08 Luger Has All Matching Serial Numbers

Today I am visiting Simpson Ltd in Galesburg, Illinois - the question we are look at is one of the most common they hear from customers: how do you tell if a Luger is all matching? When the guns were originally made, the factory put the serial number on a whole bunch of different parts, and on many guns some of these parts have been replaced over the years. A gun that retains all of its original matching parts brings a substantial increase in value.
We are going to look at a standard WWII German Army Luger, which is the most common type in the US today, and show you where each of the number is on the outside and the inside. There are many other types of Lugers with somewhat different numbering patterns, but this will hopefully be a good primer for you!
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[@zelda-kp8nr]

Of course the most important question: Is the included takedown tool serialized? Absolute travesty if not.

[@mauser-wl3uu]

Usually take down tools are only numbered with police issued guns, or commercial guns pressed into Paramilitary service like the Reichs Gendarmerie. Standard army guns will either have proofed tools for Imperial pistols or Waffenamt for Nazi era. However, in the both eras plenty of sterile tools circulated the military.

[@Pitchlock8251]

Holy shit! Thats a lot of Lugers

[@cricetus9361]

and a lot of 44s

[@Eralen00]

jesus, seems like they knew people were gonna be collecting these things or something

[@thegoldencaulk2742]

Well, they say the Germans were ahead of their time...

[@roberttaylor9559]

I think they did it because gunsmiths custom fit the parts together.

[@PaletoB]

We need a database where people can trade parts like bolts and magazines to get the correct serial-number ;)

[@ferdilinde6152]

I have incorrect toggle number. Would be nice to swop out parts

[@johnnydoe7846]

The only catch is if you have one part with one different number then odds are that part was replaced because the original broke and does not exist anymore.

[@johnnydoe7846]

@@ferdilinde6152 my rear toggle pin is the wrong number :(

[@Xenol1997]

Stamping all those 44s must have taken ages lol

[@narcoleptic8982]

Better than having a gun that don't work.

[@dsfs17987]

stamped and ground after, I didn't notice any obvious risen metal around the stamp, and nicely deburred as well...

[@john-paulsilke893]

Yup, tool marks in a few places but nowhere that would matter.

And then do it all again but with "45".

[@MarekDohojda]

heh Germans aren't known for their lack of attention to detail.

[@troy9477]

Nice. I knew nothing about field stripping one, other than the fact there is a disassembly latch. I have no hands on experience with Lugers. My buddy had a nice 1915 DWM, but of course it was a safe queen. He eventually sold it. Nice to get some detailed info on these. Great video as always. Thank you

[@jae8204]

I just recently picked up a Luger from a gun show and it has some small problems. While watching this video I figured I’d contact these guys since they have a whole wall of Lugers and turns out they are 45min from me. Great advertisement Ian 🤙🏼 you’re a real one

[@amb158]

Really cool video. I’ve recently been in the market for an authentic WW2 P08 and this was really helpful in telling me where/what to look at.

[@Justin-id3km]

I just bought one, now I have to go back and check it again. There are a few spots that I missed. Thank you for this video

[@ComiCBoY000]

I want to do a super market sweep of that room.

[@HiPhi1975]

as always great video including helpful information

[@jaysbob]

The germans do love their serial numbers. Great video! interesting and informative.

[@mattjohnson5402]

Thank you! Very informative.

[@ianbennett1491]

Thank you so much for your video. I know it is 4 years old but it has taught me so much about my Late father's Luger that came into his possession during WW2. How he got it is unknown as he was a British Paratrooper. It is sad my Dad decommissioned it but he had reasons at the time.I would love to know more about it but they were so many guns made. Thank you once again for for video.Iain Leeds Yorkshire England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@ransomlumberjack7838]

Thanks for posting this video. I have a Numbers matching black widow Luger with capture paper, ammo belt, and helmet(all brought back by the same Vet). This video really struck a cord with me ;)

[@geos569]

Thank you, Ian for the short video. Now, I am compelled to verify my P.08's serial numbers!

[@PolishX]

I just ordered my 1918 DWM from them, super excited to get it

[@SearTrip]

No music. Much better.

[@P61guy61]

A most excellent video! Thank you for the information.

[@giulioespositi9052]

Well, yes, but the best really important combat/practical value: the "P38"(D A.!) that obviously, superseded the "venerable/arcaic-costly" P08.

[@seatednorth8190]

I just got a luger two days ago, and I can't stop playing with it.

[@454pakr]

Good info, thanks!

[@JenniferinIllinois]

I just love the Luger room. I could not believe what I was standing in the middle of when I was there.

[@acorjadaadegafantasma6309]

you guys should do that with the C96 too. keep up the good work.

[@matthayward7889]

1000 Lugers in one room? That’s seriously impressive!

[@sakelaine2953]

I like this Brad guy. He's fun. Ian you should get him on video more often, maybe do an all-Luger competition or something.

[@Tired_Sloth]

Been a hot minute since we last saw a video from this place.

[@LetoPartizan]

It would be REALLY cool if somehow you guys could show off the Japanese Type 64. Its used in the JGSDF and JSDF. That would be super cool! :D

[@thesturm8686]

Well Ian has made friend with the french ministry of the interior, maybe someone in JSDF is next

[@TheLoxxxton]

Nice vid. I would love to see some of the unusual lugers in that shop

[@TheLoxxxton]

toomanyaccounts ho ho ho no! I mean the presentation ones the stocked ones any weird conversions etc...

[@davidcox2264]

Cool. Great vid

[@FatTony5858]

Nice hoodie Ian! I got one myself

[@ErwinHolland.]

Just a litttle question, if you have a luger with serial lets say 4044, and you have one that is 5744, could you put them together to make a "matching numbers" gun?

[@jayzenitram9621]

who would know? knock yourself out. Then again, what difference would it make? You still have two lugers with the same numbers.

[@Nuke-China]

I thought the thumbnail said "Is My Luger Watching?" and I got really paranoid.

[@josephbird7141]

I just picked up 2 lugers a week ago. Time to strip them and see how nice they really are.

[@benjaminsanchez1869]

Now I gotta take apart my Luger and check for numbers.

[@dbproductions2767]

i mean its easy to punch numbers into metal so how hard would it be just to make a part and punch the right pin. are there other ways to tell if its real?

[@ObsoleteVodka]

I kinda like when things have numbers and codes everywhere, it looks industrial af!

[@afranca1825]

The biggest thing that the collectors look for is not only the 2 original magazines but also the original owner and the condition of the guy as well.

[@LanikinMalachite]

Ian back in his favorite room in the world.

[@louis6below]

this man is the doug demuro of guns

[@russellthompson8414]

I have a WWI vintage Luger. I'm told it was arsenal reworked. How do I tell, and what does that mean for its value?

[@DanielWW2]

So you are telling me that the Germans only put a part of serial number on most of the parts? This, this is utterly unacceptable. What are they, Italians? :P

[@Becbrush]

What a silly insinuation! Lots of guns have just a part of the serial number impressed on several parts of the gun itself.

[@zonaken]

Great video! Why are Lugers so expensive, you might ask? 1) Historical 2) Iconic 3) Innovative 4) Awesome! If you are truly interested in understanding this firearm, there is plenty of info available to all, but you need to invest some effort to understand and respect why things were done the way they were at the time this firearm was manufactured. Thanks Ian & Mr. Simpson Zk

[@3ducs]

That's where they all went!

[@KDD0063]

my luger is from 1917, my 2 magazines are different, one is bare metal, the other is black. Both have only the last 2 numbers of the serial number, not 4 like yours. Which one is more likely to be the original? or maybe they are both not matching?

[@rosco1960]

Came across a German Luger P08 which seems to have the serial numbers ground off before it was chrome or Nickel plated. Is this pistol legal to buy and own?

[@vrsmartin2981]

Ian. What's the value on that particular Luger? Won't be one of the ones for sale.

[@alanpastor90]

Hello, what would be the right price for that piece? hope you can answer back, Thanks !

[@johnstodola1488]

Hello I just purchased a po8 DWM commercial luger made in the 20s. All the numbers match accept there are a few parts that don't have a serial number including the firing pin, togle pin, ect. Is this normal for that time period or have these parts been replaced?

[@Southern_Gospel_Archives]

I have a 1917 Erfurt Luger in 9mm. All the numbers, even the firing pin matches. Only mismatched parts are the mag and possibly the grips. Mine has sweetheart grips so no idea if it’s original to the gun.

[@Shinji0Ikari007]

Thank you, am hoping that within the next year I can a 9mm Luger for myself. Any advise for the person who is wanting to shoot their luger, which I am wanting to do. Not every day but a couple times a year. Thanks again.

[@lapislazuli2896]

Is the disassembly tool numbered as well?

[@geadkins966]

Ian, I have a 1910 DMW 9mm Luger what ammunition (Grain/Brand) do you recommend I use with this firearm? I really like your videos. Thanks

[@tatjanamagdic9432]

If you find a time please make a video "How to check matching S/N of Commercial Luger P08 models" as they mostly have hidden numbers or no numbers at all.

[@mrplague9881]

All those Lugers... must be worth a ton.

[@nickprater1524]

How can there be so many Lugers out there, yet the prices are so high. Supply is high and demand is low , so how does that make an item expensive?

[@cripto1366]

nick p People with deep pockets horde them in droves and thus dry up the supplies making them more rare than they actually are.

[@servicerifle16]

I think its also they're perceived as rare though you can barely walk into a single gunshop without encountering at least one or two of them, though usually going for a grand. The 1918 marked one I picked up was a beater but all matching minus the mag and was still $1200.

[@davidnguyen5028]

Kennard Lang I was offered to buy one with double dates, 1920 towards the front and 1918 towards the rear. Is $1800 too much?

[@orecrnogorac5388]

I want all those Lugers 🙌😱.

[@gadsdenguy4880]

Ha. Ian walked in and his reaction was as follows: i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/219/989/611.jpg

[@jayzenitram9621]

Bring money. The little takedown tool is almost $600.

[@roberttaylor9559]

@@gadsdenguy4880 that's funny, I'd be the same way, In fact I looked them up and it's not all that far for me, so going to go soon

[@kingoftampa]

what if you have a totally numbers matching gun from 1920, but the magazine is the only non-matching part, how badly will that affect the value?

[@nathanimes4041]

Duuuuude I'm just about sell my 1906 American eagle import, this is gonna come in real handy bruddeh!

[@VeXeDZERO]

Oh Hai Ian!

[@bryanjohnson833]

Did they ever get issued chromed?

[@JoachimElmesioo]

Was time constraint a reason why you didn't look at other Lugers that had different styles of marking, or was it just not enough of a difference to show it. I really liked this style of video and wouldn't have minded a longer video even though it would have made it less "information dense".

[@theslamer67]

hi there guys I just got a luger and has some marking on it and no date do have the # 6885 on it so just wanted some info on it and it said .30 is the caber ? or were I can talk to some one thanks great vid

[@Jack72961]

Why do some of the serial numbers only have the last 2 digits, is it to save space?

[@ristoalanko9281]

What would a completely unnumbered DWM Luger be worth? With "civilian frame" without shoulder stock rail?

[@enscribe]

So how do you tell of someone has taken an externally matching (ie.ser#7244) with mixed up internals, and replaced them with (ie. 6844) internals to create an all matching gun? Super shady but seems possible especially if you only needed a part or two. Thanks for sharing.

[@enscribe]

what good what that do, everything is marked 44.

[@abalcerzak1931]

Imagine I have a 1234 serial number Luger and I am looking for my matching magazines because mine aren't. Is there any place/website I could find and ask people if they would like to exchange ther n°1234 magazine with mine ?

[@ferdilinde6152]

Please let me know if a part exchange site exists

[@codiefitz3876]

That shit somewhere in the Ardennes, my nigga

[@CODtriggerhippy]

If you have such a large collection of lugers, is it worth your time to check if you can create an all numbers matching luger from all your mismatching ones or are the odds too small for that?

[@Davidautofull]

guys that is his JOB. if you collected lugers you, like him, would sit around admiring them every day. if you are selling them that is the point, make them more valuable by matching numbers.

[@Davidautofull]

toomanyaccounts well lets see. every number is on his record book. every gun is categorized as matching or not. every child works for room and board.

[@bosshoggg8259]

I have a matching numbers ww2 Luger with the number 4 stamped on the frame just under the two rear toggle serial numbers...anyone know what the number 4 means?.....

[@DIVeltro]

Has Ian done a video on a 1906 navy first issue?

[@AKoin47]

I got lucky - have a fully matching WW1 1916 Luger (including mag), dealer who sold it was not aware that the mag was matching so got it for half the price. You guys can see it on my channel!

[@garyzanghi9272]

Great video, learned a lot as to i am late to the lugar party Many thanks My 1916 has plastic grips and no serial number, that normal Nothing on the magazine everything else matches My 1910 everything matches but mag and rear plate My

[@williamprince1114]

That background.......oh my!!!!

[@cliffec]

I just bought a 1936 Luger S/42, most of the parts are matching but a few are not ie grips and a couple other smaller internal parts. But I do have 2 matching mags. One mag that says 1 and the other 2 then matching serials. I know you said 2 matching mags can double value but what if some parts aren’t matching?

[@giulioespositi9052]

The most main value of the gun are the matching numbers ones of the gun itself because in real battle-situations it was obvious lost&found magazines, another realistic "combat-tension" values are rhe "micro- sweat" traces on front right trigger-guard side, as one can see in many East-Frontline pictures.....

[@D3faulted1]

I wonder how many man hours and how many people it took to stamp all those parts.

[@MeatMonger_]

Mine is full matching magazines too 👍

[@klarstrup]

Correct.

[@jaymassengill3340]

Hugo Borchardt says, "Pffffft! Luger... harrrumph!!"

[@handlebullshit]

Holy shit, that is a lot of Lugers.

[@am17frans]

The germans really stamped the number on every part. In fact, any part on the gun which did NOT have the number stamped?

[@oluenionloppu]

maybe even the tip of the firing pin is numbered, so every fired cartridge can be traced back :p

[@mortisCZ]

It's called ISO 1933. :-D

[@wingracer1614]

No numbers on the springs

[@truebornsonofliberty554]

am17frans the takedown tool?

[@GunFunZS]

Not as reliably as they would have you believe. Ballistic fingerprinting is basically prone to the same failures as seen in 'My Cousin Vinny' when their expert claims they have positively identified the tires as having come from a particular vehicle, when in fact he merely showed that they have the same pattern as those on the vehicle, and are the most popular model and type. They can generally narrow down a bullet to a model or maybe a brand of firearm, but not truly to the firearm. Many firearms of different brands have barrels made by a small number of companies, and will have indistinguishable rifling. Some thing has to be very wrong with a gun in order for it to leave truly distinctive marks on either the brass or the projectile. Modern machining doesn't leave rough and unique shapes on each part.

[@f_c_k_o_f_f]

It occurs to me that all the parts simply labeled with the last two digits might not come from the same gun. If having two mags with the same number doubles the kits price, then this would be a profitable scam for owners of a vast quantity of lugers.

[@JoshuaDixon-wc7xd]

Anyone watching this in ‘24 could you explain the significance of the numbers ? A friend has one , all matching and the numbers are 4245 on most parts with just a 45 on a few places. Is that the makers stamp or does that signify anything else.

[@TheGabrielhwmga]

Holy!

[@neb6005]

can you do a video on the negev lmg pls

[@LawkzBro]

gee, what's the deal with having everything marked? i bet it takes a reasonable amount of work to do that. Were the parts not interchangeable?

[@Pcm979]

It's a German thing.

[@johndearden6410]

Correct spelling is optional on the internet.

[@deepbludreams]

Lugers don't generally have interchangeable parts, they are hand fitted, remember it came out in teh late 1800s, early 1900s after all.

[@MrRoboskippy]

They were freaking Nazi's about marking everything.

[@jayzenitram9621]

I checked out their site and stopped looking when I saw one of those little takedown tools sold for $595.

[@piotrsyczak]

Is this S/42 1938 reblued ? Few parts looks almost red-brown

[@TheWilferch]

Some of the alloys used for some of the parts are high-nickel steel, and the bluing often turns a reddish or purple color.......

[@800beemer]

can anyone give me an explanation for the unique trigger shape on a Luger?

[@vicostea]

A Luger with serial no 2223 having parts from 2323 is all matching serial numbers?

[@jcorbett9620]

or 22423, or even 173423 (if they went that high - but the point is still valid) - every 100 pistols throughout the serial range have the same last 2 digits...

[@bdv861]

Correct. But what are the odds of that?

[@Imissthefuhrer]

Valeriu Costea no

[@AnaLBeads-rw6zh]

How much does an excellent condition 7.62 Go for? All matching.

[@TheWilferch]

You mean 7.65.....there is no 7.62 Luger. At that, these go a bit lower than 9mm's, typically

[@robertkay5624]

byf 42 is this a black widow

[@wlewisiii]

I want a nice cheap franken Luger. Does he have one?

[@Krusty_T]

How much does a fully matched Luger go for nowadays?

[@That_NJ_guy]

Tomek Allen I check their site and they have Lugers for about $1.5k-$30k. Pretty high price in my opinion. You can get one for about $800 on the very low end and up. Typical price is $900-1000. Of course sometimes people get lucky and get better deals buying of someone who doesn't know or wants to sell quick.

[@That_NJ_guy]

toomanyaccounts of course what model and condition matters but even their bad ones are over-priced just looking at them.

[@jayzenitram9621]

From these guys, probably a mint. I stopped looking when I saw the price of the little takedown tool. Kinda lost interest at that point.

[@tge6564]

I found the gun they used in the video $6000

[@hellahairy]

Who is the one guy that didn't like this video? Nothing better to do....

[@FloodExterminator]

Too bad lugers are mostly prohibited in Canada due to the barrels being too short...

[@holgerheinrich2992]

The question i have about the matching numbers, and i ask that as a German (!): how in the world could matching numbers have any influence on the price of the gun? In general it could only mean: No part of it has ever been repaired, overhauled, or simplier: the gun has never been used, and is much more likely to blow up in your hands on first try. I would ask about a new firing pin, new springs, sealings etc.... Mint does not mean "useable" to me. You can buy a Porsche. But would you, if it never had any inspection or repair done to it? *headscratch*. If anybody could explain to me, why those collectors insist on guns that should never ever be fired again, i'd appreciate it!

[@Flightlevel240]

If the grips from a 1940 Luger do not have a serial number does that mean they are fakes, or maybe the wood has pressed out over the years, or perhaps just not stamped? TIA

[@JRassi_Militaria]

This is by no means the only entity with a collection of many hundreds of Lugers... this gentleman appears to be one the younger stewards of such a horde... these large troves of Lugers artificially limit the number in circulation, giving the false impression of rarity with the Luger. They are in fact quite numerous... in 10 or 15 years the majority of these Luger hoarders will pass on, and many of their collections will be dispersed... look for the prices of miss match or shooter grade examples to fall sharply at that time.

[@wingracer1614]

Thing is, that isn't a hoard or collection. That's his stock. If you want them back in circulation, buy them all and hand them out to all your buddies.

[@HadToChangeMyName_YoutubeSucks]

I was wondering if he watched the video. Those lugars are not in a private collection, they're for sale.

[@thegoldencaulk2742]

Thomas Mobley Not true, he has a large amount of Lugers which are not for sale... yet. He's driving the price up himself. Check his website. He has plenty of Lugers for sale, but not nearly as much as he actually possesses.

[@HadToChangeMyName_YoutubeSucks]

Not sure what site you were looking at, but I saw around 1000 Lugers along with thousands of other collectibles on his site. He said he had over 1000 Lugers in that room, which is where the Luger collection is.

[@timoliver1004]

No. The fact that a few people have a majority of the Luger does not artificially inflate the price. It is a factor in why the price is higher but there is nothing artificial about. Now....if there were 5 people who controlled supply and agreed between them to set a price thus eliminating competition....that would be artificially inflated prices. Any evidence of a OPEC of Luger collectors??? NOPE? Didn't think so.

[@egzonsalihu1451]

LUGER P08 is the best pistol ever made.

[@avnerds8273]

Only thing I’m missing is one of the magazines.... damn.

[@KanzatoHiro]

But how can you be sure that some of those parts aren't from a let's say a Luger with a serial 7144 or any other that ends with a 44... I get that it can be rare but it's still a possibility.

[@Davidautofull]

as long as it works