WWI German DWM P.08 P08 P-08 9mm Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1750
LSB#: 210925DA26
Make: DWM
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 3885e
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Action Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine.
Markings: The left side of the trigger, sideplate, sear, bar safety, takedown lever, extractor, back of the rear toggle link, the top of the front toggle link, left of the breech-block, left of the striker, and the slide-stop are each marked “85”. The rear toggle is marked with a script “DWM”. The front of the frame under the barrel and the underside of the barrel are marked “3885 / e”. The top of the barrel extension at the chamber is marked “1918” and the left is marked “3885”. The right side of the barrel extension is marked with one crowned script character and an eagle, the eagle is also marked on the top-right of the barrel and the left of the breech block. The left side of the frame at the safety is marked “GESICHERT”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a serrated base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch in the top of the rear toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. The grips have fairly even moderate handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a small chip-loss at the top-rear of the left panel under the safety lever. The checkering is worn smooth in some areas, but is generally well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, 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 in the grooves and most notable in front of the chamber.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The strawed parts have mostly muted or worn to white. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas, though there are some other scattered areas of finish wear. Most worn areas show discoloration from oxidation and there is some other scattered minor oxidation. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel extension has barely perceptible play to the frame. We did not fire 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 8-round magazine with a wooden base which has been repaired with what appears to be aluminum and copper. The magazine has moderate operational wear, scattered surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: The Luger (Pistole Parabellum or P-08) is perhaps the most aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing of all autoloading centerfire pistols. 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 Maxim shot its way to bloody fame in World War One, which also became the combat proving ground for the Luger Pistol. 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 DWM Luger was made in 1918, near of Germany’s wartime production. As would be seen in the later portion of the next World War, Germany’s increasing understanding that they were fighting a losing battle would see the fit and finish of their arms production slowly decline as the dire need for arms pressed manufacturers to increase production at any cost. This example appears to have been made just as this degradation in finish was starting, not as finely polished as earlier examples, but not as rough as those which would follow. The pistol is in Good-plus condition with much of its original finish remaining. The pistol shows honest wear in its original finish with all numbered parts matching, a fairly good bore and strong mechanics. This will make a nice addition to a WWI or German military arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!