Scarce DWM Dutch Navy M1 P.08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1930 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2775
LSB#: 210925DA01
Make: DWM (under BKIW holding company)
Model: P.08 Luger, Dutch Navy Contract, designated M1 by the Dutch
Serial Number: 1461
Year of Manufacture: 1930
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The front face of the frame is marked “1461”, the left is marked “RUST” and with an arrow at the safety lever. The left of the barrel extension is marked with a crowned “N” German commercial proof mark and “61”. The bottom of the barrel is marked with a crowned “N” and “1461”. The front toggle link is marked “DWM” on the top. Each side of the extractor is marked “GELADEN” (a characteristic of the Dutch Naval Lugers). The last two digits of the serial number, “61” are marked on the sear, the bottom of the sideplate, the bottom of the takedown lever, the trigger, the left of the breech-block, the top of the front toggle link, and the back of the rear toggle link. The left of the breech-block also has a crowned “N”, though it is quite faint. The magazine floorplate is marked “N 1628”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a base at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips show handling wear with some light nicks, scuffs and some compressed checkers. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Strawed, the interior is polished Bright.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion scattered through the bore and stubborn copper fouling.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is in light handling wear and minor surface oxidation in the grip areas. There is some other scattered minor oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the sideplate and the front of the right frame rail. There is some light wear at the muzzle on the left and on the sideplate. The controls have handling wear. The action shows operational wear. The markings are generally clear, the proof marks are worn, likely applied before final polish and finish. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is barely perceptible play between the barrel assembly and frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single magazine with non-serial matching alloy floorplate. The magazine has operational wear and some minor surface oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: The Luger (Pistole Parabellum or P-08) is perhaps the most aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing of all autoloading centerfire pistols. It is also one of the strongest, most accurate and most recognizable service pistols ever made. Georg Luger developed his famous pistol in 1898-1899 (starting with the Borchardt/Luger transitional pistol). The Luger is, essentially, a much improved Borchardt type pistol, which was itself based on the toggle action concept used by Sir Hiram Maxim in the world’s first practical machine gun. The Luger was so reliable and well liked that it was still being made and issued to German troops well after the P38 was adopted by the army. They also saw use by the Swiss, Portugal and the Netherlands. This example is one of the last from a Dutch Navy contract with a little over 1,400 pistols delivered between 1928 and 1930. It is essentially the same as other commercially produced P.08 Lugers of the time, but has the safety marking in Dutch, has the loaded chamber marking on both sides of the extractor, and the pistols were produced in their own consecutive serial range starting with 1. It has all matching serialized parts and shows operational, handling and holster wear, retaining strong mechanics and a good bore. This scarce pistol will make a great addition to a Luger collection, but would also make for a fun, historical shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!