WWI German DWM Long P.08 Artillery Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,576
LSB#: 240203KA007
Make: DWM
Model: Long P.08, “Artillery Luger”
Serial Number: 6830c
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The top of the front sight to the left of the blade, top of the rear sight base, the rear face of the sight leaf, the left rear of the sight arm, the right side of the slider, sear bar, sear bar safety, the extractor, the top of the front toggle, the back of the rear toggle, the left of the bolt, left of the firing pin, the takedown lever, the sideplate, the trigger, the slide stop, and the inside of each grip panel are marked “30”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The left of the barrel extension is marked “6830”. The top of the front toggle is also marked with “DWM” in script. The chamber ring is marked “1917” at the top. The underside of the round part of the barrel is marked “6830 / c / 8,83” and the front end of the frame just beneath it is marked “6830 / c”. 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”.
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the muzzle. The windage can be fine-tuned via a spanner wrench screw adjustment on the right of the base. The front sight has been modified with a brass bead. 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 sights are known as the “Fine Tuning” Artillery Sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have light handling wear with a few nicks, scratches, and some areas of smoothed checkers. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright, the rifling is sharp. There is some light erosion in the bore, mostly toward the chamber-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some light finish wear along the sides of the barrel and light handling wear in the grip areas. The strawed parts show muting in some areas. There is finish wear on the raised portion of the sideplate. There is some scattered minor oxidation. There are a few scattered nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.
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 tin plated magazine with a wooden floorplate and a period cleaning rod.
Our Assessment: This is a Long P.08 Luger, also known by collectors as the “Artillery Luger”. 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 snail magazine. Originally produced with “Fine Tuning” front and rear sights, in 1917 DWM would eliminate the adjustment of the front sight and very late in 1917, the fine adjustment would be discontinued for the rear sight, as well.
This pistol has its original finish and the numbered parts of the pistol are all matching, though the magazine is not numbered to the pistol. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition with 87% of its finish remaining, a good bore and strong mechanics. The artillery models are always collectable: they are a very interesting looking weapon that almost everyone wants to own. This is a really nice example with fine-tune sights, both front and rear, sure to end up in a collection of Lugers alongside its P04 and P08 cousins. Please see our photos and good luck!
