WWI German DWM Long P.08 Artillery Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol 1917 C&R

SOLD FOR: $7845

LSB#: 230523EB007

Make: DWM

Model: 1914 Two-Date Artillery Luger

Serial Number: 2026b

Year of Manufacture: 1917

Caliber: 9mm Parabellum

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The front sight to the left of the blade, the rear sight base at the top-left-front, the rear face of the rear sight notch, the right side of the slider, the top-rear of the rear sight arm, the left side of the takedown lever, sear bar, sear bar safety, the top of the bolt stop, the left of the breech-bolt, the top of the front toggle and the back of the rear toggle, the top of the extractor, the left side of the trigger, and the sideplate are marked “26”. The top of the front toggle is also marked with “DWM” in script. The chamber ring is marked “1917” on the top, the left of the barrel extension is marked “2026”. The underside of the round part of the barrel is marked “2026 / b / 8,83” and the front face of the frame just behind it is marked “2026 / b”. The right side of the chamber is marked with crown script letter and Imperial eagle inspection marks. There is another Eagle on the left side of the breechblock and the right of the barrel. The left side of the frame under the safety is marked “Gesichert”. The grips are not serial-marked.

Barrel Length: 8”

Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a “Fine Tuning” front sight that has a blade dovetailed into a serrated and ramped base, with a fine-tuning adjustment for windage on the right side of the sight base. The “Fine Tuning” tangent artillery rear sight is flat topped with a “V” notch and the elevator has graduated markings from 1-8. The rear sight has a fine adjustment for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut, and are tight on the frame. The checkering shows light wear with a few scattered small nicks. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Strawed

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.

Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation, mostly in the grip areas. There are some scattered minor nicks and small scratches. The strawed parts show muting and some finish wear. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in Very Good-Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel and receiver are tight 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 total of three 8-round magazines, a dark reddish-brown leather top flap holster, Luger tool, a cleaning rod, wood board-style stock with serial-matching mounting bracket, leather shoulder-strap, two-magazine pouch, 32-round trommel or “snail” magazine with feed-lip cover and a fine-tuning sight adjustment spanner in a wood box.

One of the 8-round magazines has a serial-matching wood floorplate. The other two have non-matching numbers on their wood floorplates. The matching magazine has light wear, the other two show more notable finish wear and light surface oxidation.

The magazine pouch is marked “LOHSOHNE / ACT. GES. / BERLIN” in oval on its flap. The pouch has fairly light wear with intact stitching.

The holster shows similar light wear, having no visible maker’s markings and intact stitching.

The trommel magazine is marked “B / N” and “162449” on each side with capacity markings on the rear. It is a second-style magazine with a folding loading lever. Please note, the trommel magazine will not be included for purchasers who reside where it cannot be legally transferred.

The shank of the fine-tuning spanner is marked with a crowned script letter. We have tested and it does properly turn the fine-tuning adjustment screws.

Our Assessment: This Artillery version of the Luger pistol is also known as the “Long Barrel P.08”. Many of the Artillery Models were equipped with “Fine Tuning” front and rear sights, which were auto-calibrating for windage drift due to bullet spin, making them second to none in long range accuracy. The model was originally issued to field artillery, airmen and fortifications. The model had a longer, 8? barrel and was equipped with more precise sights than the standard P.08. Later, it was designated for use by Sturmtruppen and other assault forces trying to breach the trench lines. It was the first Luger to use the 32 shot Trommel or “snail” magazine.

This pistol is a Model 1914 DWM Artillery Luger made in 1917. It has matching serial numbers on the pistol itself as well as one of the included magazines. This pistol has the fine-tuning front and rear sights, which makes it all the rarer, as not all artillery models were so equipped. Even better, an adjustment tool for these fine-tuning sights is included! This pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition with 90% of its original finish remaining. The bore shows signs of use, but the mechanics are still quite strong. It also comes with a nice set of accessories.

In addition to the spanner tool for the sights, the pistol comes with a nice rig including holster, stock, magazine pouch, the serial-matching magazine, two additional 8-round magazines and a 32-round trommel magazine with feed-lip cover. The artillery models are always collectable, but with the matching numbers, original finish, fine-tuning front and rear sights, rig and trommel magazine, this pistol is destined for a high-end collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud