Period Cased German DWM Luger 1914 Artillery Model 9mm Semi Auto Pistol All Matching Numbers – C&R OK
Make: DWM
Model: 1914 Luger Artillery
Serial Number: 1911b
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The front sight is marked “11”, as are the top of the base and right side of the slide on the rear sight, the left side plate, the takedown lever, the ejector, both parts of the safety and the top and rear of the toggle. The top of the toggle is also marked with “DWM” in script. The chamber is marked “1917” at the top and “19” on the left side. The underside of the round part of the barrel is marked “1911 / b / 8,82” and the front end of the frame just behind it is marked “1911 / b”. The right side of the chamber is marked with three crowned proofs which appear to be “T, S and S”, and an Eagle. The right rear of the barrel is marked with a sideways Eagle. Together, all 5 proofs are as shown on line 10 of page 234 in ”Luger Variations” by H.E. Jones, and are correct for a 1914 DWM military. The left side of the frame under the safety is marked “Gesichert”. The steel based magazine is marked “3313 / m” and with an Eagle over “63” proof. The left side of the grip under the panels is marked “G” at the top, “T” and “T” in the middle and “R” at the bottom along with an unidentified proof. The right side of the grip is marked with what appears to be “C” at the top, and what appear to be “O”, “S” and “Z” at the bottom. The underside of the left grip panel is marked with two unidentified marks, “89” and “11”. The underside of the right grip panel is marked “VI” and “11”.
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with the Artillery “Fine Tuning” front and rear sights. The 9 position tangent rear sight is flat topped with a U groove and has graduated markings from 1-8. The elevation can be fine-tuned via a spanner wrench adjustment. The front sight has a serrated ramp, is dovetailed into the serrated ramped base, and is windage adjustable via a spanner wrench.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. They show slight oil staining and light wear in the checkering. The right grip panel has one mar in the checkering near the back edge in the middle of the grip. The left grip has a mar in the middle of the grip with most of the checkering worn off along the bottom edge, and a small chip in the bottom edge. The grips rate in about Very Good to Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue. The safety lever and takedown lever are straw case colored.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp and deep. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. There is surface loss on the front of the barrel and the top of the front sight. The barrel shows handling marks plus scattered pinprick surface erosion. The left front of the frame above the takedown lever shows surface loss and thinning, as does the left side plate, which also has wear marks along its bottom edge. The right side of the frame shows thinning, and it and the right flat of the barrel show pinprick surface erosion. The top of the chamber ring shows some pinprick surface erosion. The left and right sides of the frame on either side of the rear toggle link show pinprick surface erosion and surface loss on the upper edges. The knurling on the right toggle shows wear and surface loss while the left side shows very light wear. The checkering on the magazine release and takedown lever is sharp with thinning. The lower portion of the backstrap shows thinning on the edges. The front side of the grip shows some handling marks and pinprick surface erosion. The left grip screw shows slight disfigurement. The front and rear sight spanner wrench holes are sharp. The markings are sharp and clear except for those on the grip frame under the grip panels and those on the undersides of the grip panels, which are faint. Overall, this gun rates in about Very Good to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one metal base magazine and a fitted, apparently period production wooden case. The magazine shows light wear and scattered pinprick surface erosion. It is in Fine condition. The case has black leatherette covering with a pebbled finish. The top cover shows long mars in the surface while the bottom shows one long deep scratch plus minor handling marks. The edges and corners are remarkably free of surface loss. Please see our pictures. The case has brass hinges and brass clasps on the front. The inside of the lid is lined with purple velvet. The bottom of the case is cut-out for this pistol as well as having a separate accessory section. The bottom is lined with purple velvet with thicker, darker velvet ringing the cut-out areas. There is a slight compression from the toggle handle and right grip screw, and both areas also show rust in/on the velvet. Otherwise, the inside of the box is unmarked. Overall, the box rates in Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This version of the Luger pistol is also known as the “Long Barrel P.08”. It was the first Luger to use the 32 shot snail magazine. With its “Fine Tuning” sights that are auto-calibrating for windage drift due to bullet spin; this pistol is probably second to none in long range accuracy. This pistol is incredibly good looking for a pistol nearly 100 years old. All of the serial numbers match; it has the rarer sights, and comes with a fitted wooden case. What a GREAT find for any Luger collector!!
Sold For: $2,926