Hand Engraved & Gold Inlaid DWM Luger P.08 .30 Cal Semi Auto Pistol C&R

SOLD FOR:$3,760
Make: DWM
Model: Luger P.08 (Very Similar to 1920 Commercial)
Serial Number: 5045i
Year of Manufacture: circa 1920
Caliber: .30 Luger (7.65mm Luger)
Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The front toggle is marked with a script “DWM”. The back of the rear toggle is marked “45”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “5045 / i” and “Germany”, and the barrel in front of the frame is marked “5045 / i”. The left side of the frame under the safety is marked “Gesichert”. The back of the frame below the rear toggle is engraved with “HLS” in gold lettering. The left side of the grip frame is marked “J” and “H”.
Barrel Length: 3.75”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “V” notch in the back of the toggle and a serrated ramped blade front sight in a dovetail on the front barrel band.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth black plastic with a reddish tint. They have a thumbrest on the left side and a slight rest on the right side for the index finger. The grips show handing marks on both sides with a compression mark in the edge of the thumbrest. The grips rate in about Very Good to Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel, frame and barrel extension are blued with hand scroll engraving. The edges of the frame and barrel extension are outlined with lines of gold inlay and there are two gold bands on the front barrel band. There is a gold inlaid deer head and mountain lion on the left side of the frame and a gold inlaid rams head on the right. The safety, trigger, takedown lever, magazine release and the grip screws are all gold plated.
Finish Originality: The finish is not original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright tending to gray at the muzzle. The rifling is shallow. There is light erosion in the front of the barrel.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 93% of its current metal finish. There are a few spots in the finish, mainly on the extractor, the top of the toggle and the toggle knobs where you can see light pitting under the finish. The trigger, safety, takedown lever, magazine release and grip screws all show surface loss of their gold plating with the silver finish underneath exposed. There is also a mark in the finish on the bottom of the trigger guard. The serrations on the toggle knobs and the checkering on the takedown lever show light wear. The grip screws are sharp. The markings that haven’t been ground off are clear. Scroll engraving completely covers the barrel and sides of the barrel extension and frame. The engraving is highlighted by gold plating the safety, takedown lever, trigger, magazine release and grip screws, and by gold inlaid animals engraved on the sides of the frame. The edges of the frame and barrel extension are also highlighted with gold filled lines. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action works correctly. We have not fired this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one blued magazine. The magazine appears to be an original with a wooden bottom piece. The magazine has been re-blued and there is pitting under the finish. The wooden bottom piece shows heavy wear (or perhaps polishing) on both sides with small chips in the edges on the left side. The magazine is in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a DMW made Luger with matching numbers on the barrel, frame and rear toggle that appears to be a Commercial 1920 in 7.65 Luger caliber. All of the other identifying marks have been ground off or covered in engraving. This pistol is one of four we received from the same consignor that was hand engraved in the late 1960’s by Hans Reichart for Harvey Strong, whose initials “HLS” are on the rear of the frame on this pistol. The scroll engraving completely covers the barrel and sides of the barrel extension and frame. The engraving is highlighted by gold plating the safety, takedown lever, trigger, magazine release and grip screws, and by gold inlaid animals engraved on the sides of the frame. The edges of the frame and barrel extension are also highlighted with gold filled lines. Please see our pictures to get a better idea of how beautiful this pistol really is. While the engraving isn’t original, it is still beautiful pistol in Fine condition with about 93% of its finish remaining. While this may not be the number one choice of Luger collectors, the action works correctly and it still has a shootable bore. It will be great for someone wanting a piece of German history and isn’t afraid of paying a little more to get something this beautiful.