WWI German DWM Long P.08 Artillery Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,206
LSB#: 200812MD01
Make: DWM
Model: Long P.08, “Artillery Luger”
Serial Number: 870m
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 top of the sight leaf, the right side of the slider, extractor, sear bar, sear bar safety, 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, and the slide stop are marked “70”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The left of the barrel extension is marked “870”. 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 “870 / m / 8,85” and the front end of the frame just beneath it is marked “870 / m”. 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 inside of the grips have some markings, but none correspond to the serial number.
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the muzzle. The tangent artillery rear sight is flat topped with a “V” notch and the elevator has graduated markings from 1-8.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have moderate handling wear with the checkering mostly smoothed, but visible. There are some nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling where not interrupted by erosion. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its finish. Most of the balance is in handling wear in the grip areas. There is an area going to plum on the left of the frame around the safety arm. There are a few scattered minor scuffs and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some are shallow. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel extension has minor 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. The magazine has light operational wear, some minor oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
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 is of the later variety with just the slider adjustment on the rear sight. Apart from the magazine and grips, the numbered parts are matching. The pistol has been refinished, but the straw finish on the small parts came out great and the blue is generally strong, with most loss being in the grip areas. The pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished with 85% of its finish remaining. The artillery models are always collectable: they are a very interesting looking weapon that almost everyone wants to own. This is a fairly nice example, sure to end up in a collection of Lugers alongside its P04 and P08 cousins. Please see our photos and good luck!