Russian Capture German DWM P.08 9mm Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,130.00
LSB#: LSB251208RC022
Make: DWM, imported by Miltex Inc.
Model: Luger Model P.08
Serial Number: 3957m
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp 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 wood. The right panel is notably darker with more coarse checkering, not marked on the interior. The left panel is marked “31” and with a waffenamt. The grips show moderate wear with scattered nicks and scuffing. The right panel has an interior crack at the bottom edge. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts were replaced or re-worked during the Weimar era, some have been force-matched. The import mark is marked through the finish.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and minor pitting scattered throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout with bright spots where some serial markings were struck-out. The finish is thinning at some edges and the action shows light operational wear. There are some scattered nicks, tool marks and surface erosion under the finish. The erosion is most notable in the grip areas. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection marks are worn or have been punched-out. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition as refinished.
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 non-matching wood floorplate magazine.
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.
This is a Model P.08 Luger that appears to have had a long service life. Beginning as a DWM in 1918, the pistol stayed in service into the Weimar era, likely going through a rebuild during that time, with their Army acceptance marks on the barrel extension and barrel. It appears to have stayed in service into WWII as a new blue finish has been applied, some parts are force-matched with a prominent “X” marked on the barrel extension in front of the sideplate. All of this is consistent with a pistol captured by the Russians during the war and possibly issued to the East German Volkspolizei (VoPo) after the war. The pistol is in Good-plus condition as refinished, with much of its current finish remaining. The pistol has strong mechanics, though the bore has seen some use. This pistol will be great for those wanting a piece of German and post-war history. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud