German DWM Luger P08 9x19mm Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R 1916
SOLD FOR: $1,300
WOA#: WY240117SS004
Make: Deutsche Waffen-Und Munitionsfabriken (DWM)
Model: Luger P08
Serial Number: 5573
Year of Manufacture: 1916
Caliber: 9x19mm (9mm Luger)
Action Type: Toggle-locked recoil-operated semi-automatic, 8 round detachable magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “5573”. The top of the slide is marked “DWM”. The right side of the slide is marked with four German proof and acceptance marks. The left side of the side plate has “73” electro-penciled into it, along with a defaced “09”, and another “73”. The left side of the trigger bar is marked with a defaced “09”. The top of the extractor is marked with a defaced “09”. The top of the forward toggle link has the DWM logo and a defaced “09”. The rear of the rear toggle link is marked with a defaced “09”. The front side of the frame is marked “5573”. The takedown lever is marked “73”. The left side of the trigger is marked “09”. The left rear side of the frame is marked “Gesichert” which means ‘safe’ or ‘secured’ in German. The left side of the bolt is marked with an eagle acceptance mark and “09”. The firing pin is marked “09”. The magazine with the metal end piece is marked “6799” and “2” on the bottom and “2/1001” on the left side. The underside of the barrel is marked with a C.A.I. import mark. There are various small proof and acceptance marks scattered throughout.
Barrel Length: 3.9”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a barrel mounted base . The rear sight is a v-notch blade integral to the toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered wood. The left grip panel is more heavily worn than the right, with a large amount of compressed peaks through the center. The right panel has wear near the bottom. Both panels are worn around the screw relief at the bottom. The interior surfaces are worn, with some small gouges along the edges. There are no apparent cracks. The grips rate in about Good overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 8 round magazine with metal follower and metal end piece. 3x 8 round magazines with plastic followers and end pieces. The magazines are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The finish is original to the import.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish as refinished. The balance of the finish shows wear. wear. The screw heads show light to moderate use. The pins are unmarred. Most of the “09” marks have been purposely defaced and some of the marks, such as the proof marks on the side of the slide, are shallow and appear as though they have been refinished over. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a black padded hard case with 4x magazines.
Our Assessment: Designed by Georg Luger in the late 1890s, the Luger and its variants would become some of the most famous military handguns of the 20th century. The Luger is known for its distinctive toggle-lock action which is easy to spot with the large knurled knobs on either side of the slide. Variants of the Luger would be adopted by Switzerland and most notably the German Empire, as the P08. The P08, chambered in what has become eponymously named 9mm Luger, served as the primary German service pistol through the First World War into the Second, even though it was officially supplanted by the P38 in 1938. This example was built in 1916 by DWM. It was refinished by the importer upon import. The parts have a mix of serial numbers. Nearly all of the parts were originally marked with “09” which would have been the last two digits of a serial number. The external parts have had their “09” marks defaced, while the internal parts retain undamaged “09” marks. Some of the parts have been remarked with a “73” to match them to the frame serial number. The side plate was also electro-penciled with a “73”. The grips have wear to them, especially the left one, but there are no apparent cracks. The bore is in really nice shape and should make for a wonderful shooter. This is a good example that would fit into any German or First World War collection. Please see our photos.
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