Scarce DWM 1914 Naval Luger 9mm Para. SA Semi-Automatic Pistol 5 7/8 Inch, Matching Numbers, MFD 1917 C&R

SOLD FOR: $3,695

LSB#: 150624CM11
Make: DWM
Model: 1914 Naval Luger
Serial Number: 6673
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Toggle Action, Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver at the chamber is marked with a Crown and two Crowned “M”, while the left side of the barrel at the receiver is marked with a Crown. The underside of the barrel is marked with a Crowned “M” over “6673”. The crowned markings are as shown on lines 5 and 6 of page 234 of “Luger Variations” by H. E. Jones for 1904, 1906, 1908 and 1914 Naval Lugers. The top of the chamber ring, the left side of the frame at the chamber and the left side of the front sight base are marked “1917” and the front toggle is marked with a script “DWM”. The top of the rear toggle is marked “100” and “200” (for the sight) and behind the rear sight it is marked “73”. The bottom of the takedown lever, the bottom of the left sideplate, and the left rear of the sear bar are also marked “73”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “6673”. The left side of the breechblock is marked with a Crown and the left side of the frame in front of the safety is marked “Gesichert”. The inside of the right grip panel is marked “3”, “01” and “W”. The inside of the left grip panel is marked “3”, “W” and “70”. The inside of the left grip panel is marked “P”, “W” and “70”. The left side of the grip frame is marked “Z”, “X”, “1”, “L” and “K”. The proof marks on the barrel and the small parts are crisp. The markings on the top of the chamber ring and the front toggle are a little flat.
Barrel Length: 5 7/8”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a serrated ramped blade front sight in a dovetail on the front barrel band. The rear sight is a two position “V” notch fixed to the top of the rear toggle. The top of the toggle in front of the sight base is marked “100”. When the button on the right side of the sight is depressed, the sight can be moved back, revealing “200” marked on top of the sight base just behind the “100”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut that show oil staining. The grips are tight on the frame. The checkering shows light wear with a strip of moderate wear down the back edge of the left grip. There are no mars in the checkering. However, there is a repaired crack in the upper rear corner of the left grip. The grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, the trigger, safety, ejector and takedown lever have a straw colored finish. The sear bar spring and the pin joining the rear toggle and the frame have a fire blue finish.
Finish Originality: We believe the finish to be original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 88% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the front edge of the barrel band, the front corners and top rear edges of the frame, the edges of the sideplate and the trigger guard, the bottom of the front strap and the bottom of the backstrap. There are spots of pinprick surface erosion scattered over the edges and rear face of the frame, the left side of the frame behind the sideplate, the front strap and backstrap. There are small dings on the right front edge of the frame, the front edge of the sideplate, the edges and the underside of the trigger guard and in the front strap. The toggle knob serrations and the knurling on the magazine release and takedown lever is sharp. The knurling on the sides of the toggle knobs and the serrations on the safety show light wear. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are clear. This pistol rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action works correctly. This pistol has the two position rear sight that is standard for this model. We have not fired this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one magazine that has a nickel plated finish with wooden bottom piece with concentric circles cut into its sides. The bottom piece is marked “6673” and with a “Crown / M” Naval mark. The concentric circles and Crowned “M” proof definitely place this as a Naval magazine. The body shows small spots of surface loss sprinkled over the finish with eroded metal showing through, light handling marks, and a grind mark on both sides above the bottom piece. The bottom piece shows a few small shallow compression marks on its bottom surface. The edges are crisp. This is about the nicest looking wooden bottom piece we have see in a long time: usually there are several compression marks in the edges of the round circles on its sides. The magazine is in about Fine condition.
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 Maxim shot its way to bloody fame in World War One, which also became the combat proving ground for the Luger Pistol. This is a DMW 1914 Naval Luger made during WWI in 1917 with matching numbers on the metal parts and the magazine: we suspect the grips may have been replaced. The pistol has all the correct proofs in the right places. The pistol has about 88% of its original finish remaining and is in about Fine overall condition. It shows a few areas of thinning and pinprick surface erosion, with handling marks on the front strap and the edges of the trigger guard. The grips show light wear in the checkering with a streak of moderate wear down the rear edge of the left grip. The top rear corner of the left grip has been repaired. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. We have seen estimates of the number of Model 1914 Naval Lugers made range from 22,900 to 40,000. Regardless of the actual number, between war-time losses, post war conversions and heavy erosion from salt air, the attrition rate is quite high and an original Navy Luger is rather hard to locate today. They are even harder to find with a finish as nice as the one on this pistol. This one is almost certainly destined for a high end collection of Lugers from WWI and WWII.