WWI German DWM Long P.08 Artillery Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4029
LSB#: 210612TP04
Make: DWM
Model: Long P.08, “Artillery Luger”
Serial Number: 1831g
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, the right side of the slider, 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 each marked “31”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The left of the barrel extension is marked “1831”. 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 “1831 / g / 8,83” and the front end of the frame just beneath it is marked “1831 / g”. The magazine’s wooden floorplate is marked “2866 / e”. The right side of the barrel extension 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 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).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scuffs, most on the left panel. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with sharp rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The majority of the balance is in scattered minor surface oxidation. There are several scattered nicks, most are under the finish. There are a pair of more notable nicks through the finish on the right of the barrel below the rear sight base. The strawed parts show finish 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 about Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel assembly has no 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 brown leather flap-holster, a flat board shoulder stock, a cleaning rod, disassembly tool, a single 8-round magazine and a single 32-round Trommel or “snail drum” magazine. The holster is marked “F. GROSSE / DRESDEN-N / 1916”. The holster has scattered light wear and surface loss, most notable along the cleaning rod pocket, there is some fraying on the straps and the hinge of the flap, and the stitching is intact, in about Good-plus condition. The board shoulder stock is marked “1831” on the bracket and with a worn marking on the board. The wood shows scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, the metal shows light operational wear, and the leather shows scattered light wear, in about Very Good condition. The 8-round magazine has a wood floorplate, showing some light wear and oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition. The Trommel magazine is marked “324692” and “B/N” on the front and rear (Bing Nurnberg), the rear is marked “12”, “17”, “22”, “27”, and “32”, the front is marked “A”, and the left of the feeding body is marked with a crowned gothic letter. There is some blue paint residue on the magazine. It shows light operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring. The magazine has some minor erosion under the finish. Overall, the magazine is in Fine condition as refinished.
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 Trommel or “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 is a nice example which comes with a board-stock, holster, one standard magazine and a Trommel magazine. The pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition as refinished with 90% of its new blued finish remaining. 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, and with its included accessories is sure to end up in a collection of Lugers alongside its P.04 and P.08 cousins. Please see our photos and good luck!