Pre-WWI DWM P.08 Double Date 9mm Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1912/1920 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,106.03
WOA#: WY240603MA006
Make: Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM)
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial#: 7751m
Year of Manufacture: 1913-1918 (the stock lug on the frame indicates production later than the barrel extension’s year marking)
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum (9x19mm Luger)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Short-Recoil Toggle-Locked Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The serial number “7751m” is marked on the front of the frame. The bottom of the barrel is marked with “8,82” (bore diameter) and “7751” marked over a previous serial marking, the left of the barrel extension is marked with “7751”, the right has Imperial German inspection/acceptance marks. The chamber ring is marked “1920 / 1912”. There is a German eagle marking on the barrel, the bolt has a crown/N. The takedown lever, sideplate, trigger, safety bar, sear bar, bolt, extractor, firing pin, toggle pin, and each toggle link are marked “34”. The front toggle is marked “DWM”. The extractor is marked “GELADEN” (loaded).
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a base integral to the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear toggle.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. The grips have light handling wear with no notable damage. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as likely not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Strawed
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished, several parts were force-matched during refurbishment.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear. Overall, the pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The gun comes with a single non-matching 8-round magazine with wood floorplate.
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 well liked and reliable that it was still being made and issued to German troops well after the P38 was adopted by the army.
This is an example produced during or shortly before WWI. The “1920” marking on the barrel extension indicates that it remained in German service after the war, part of the limited military arms allowed under the Treaty of Versailles. Due to the severe restrictions on production and quantity of military arms, most of these Lugers saw extensive refurbishment, as it was easier to keep an existing gun working than the get approval to manufacture a whole replacement. As a result, it is common to see these “double-date” Lugers with a mix of parts that are force-matched, as seen on this one. This is a neat find for Luger collectors given the relatively low production in 1912, though the frame is from later production as evidenced by its stock lug. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
