Custom DWM P.08 Luger Long/Artillery-Style 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1552
LSB#: 210925DA29
Make: DWM
Model: Custom P.08 Luger, Long “Artillery”-style
Serial Number: 5532a
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The top of the rear sight base, the rear face of the sight leaf, the left rear of the elevator, and the right side of the slider are each marked “74”, indicating that the sight is not original the barrel. The bottom of the barrel is marked “3914 / b / 8,83”, not matching the frame. The extractor, sear bar, sear bar safety, the top of the front toggle, the back of the rear toggle, the left of the bolt, the takedown lever, the trigger, and the inside of each grip panel are marked “32”. The front face of the frame is marked “5532 / a”. The left of the firing pin is marked “09”. The sideplate and bolt stop are not serial marked. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The left of the barrel extension is marked “5532”. The top of the front toggle is also marked with “DWM” in script. The chamber ring is marked “1917” at the top. The right side of the chamber is marked with three crowned script letters and an Eagle. The Eagle is also marked on the right of the barrel at the rear and on the left of the bolt. The left side of the frame under the safety is marked “GESICHERT”. The frame rail on each side has a “GERMANY” export marking.
Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 7”.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a ramped base fixed to the muzzle. The base is not original to the barrel. The tangent artillery rear sight is flat topped with a “V” notch and the elevator has graduated markings from 1-8. The elevation can be fine-tuned via a spanner wrench screw adjustment. The rear sight is known as the “Fine Tuning” Artillery Sight, 1917 DWM production first eliminated the fine tune adjustment on the front sight, retaining the adjustment on the rear sight (eventually eliminated on the rear sight at the very end of 1917). There is also a fixed “V”-notch at the rear of the back toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have light-moderate handling wear with some scattered nicks and scuffs. The checkering ranges from well defined to worn, but visible. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Refinished, the barrel assembly is not original to the pistol and some other small parts (firing pin, bolt stop, sideplate) have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has some erosion on the left behind the front sight and there is wear on and around the new front sight base. There is some light erosion along the right frame rail and the right of the barrel extension. There are some dings on the top of the toggle’s grasping knobs, under the finish. There is some minor erosion under the finish. There is scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The controls have handling wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-Very Good condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel extension has barely perceptible play to the frame. We have not fired 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 wood floorplate. The magazine has light wear, scattered minor oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: This 1917 DWM Luger has been customized with the barrel assembly from a P.08 Long “Artillery” model. The frame and barrel extension assemblies have mostly serial-matching parts, but the barrel extension does not have the flat at the top-front which would be on an Artillery model to accommodate the bottom of the rear sight. The sight assembly is also not original to the barrel, though its serialized parts match each other, and is a “fine-tune” rear sight. The barrel has had about 1″ removed and a new front sight base installed. The bore is still shootable and the mechanics are strong. Where most would keep an Artillery Luger as a safe-queen, this ought to make for a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!