Any info appreciated for a 1917 DWM Luger

[Rusty.303]

G'Day to everyone.

I have just sold a rifle to a friend who has offered to part pay with a Luger pistol.
[Before any Aussie's are alarmed I do hold a cat a,b,c,g&h lic]
I know very little about Luger pistols or the one concerned so I will try and describe it the best that i can.
I can not provide photos at this time.
I would appreciate any advise or information regarding this Luger.

Here goes,
Excellent condition with a small amount of holster wear to sharp edges.
Mint bore.
Barrel length is approx 4".
Barrel top/rear is marked 1917.
Toggle marked DWM in scroll-work.
Behind safety marked GEISHRT or close to that spelling.
There is a row of spread eagles on the LHS front of frame.
There is a machined raised part on the rear bottom of grip frame to attach a stock piece.
The trigger is a stainless/brass color.
Serial No 83##.
All the other numbered parts including the magazine carry the last 2 digits of the serial no.
Comes with a 1918 dated holster and a strange looking tool.

Thanks for any help or information.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Behind safety marked GEISHRT or close to that spelling.

Actually, that is "Gesichert" i.e. safe.

a strange looking tool.

That is a combination screwdriver and loading tool. The P08 pistol, commonly known as the "Luger", only has 2 screws in the entire construction - the screws that hold the grips.

The hole in the tool is placed over the lug on the side of the magazine with the turned-over section outwards. You press down on this to push the follower down to load the ammo. Without that tool you need a titanium thumbnail!

The trigger is a stainless/brass color.

That is correct for that vintage. It comes from the specific hardening process and steel alloy that were used.

All the other numbered parts including the magazine carry the last 2 digits of the serial no.

Also correct, and a major factor in determining collector value´.

Comes with a 1918 dated holster

Very, very good! All other points not specifically addressed sound correct.

It sounds like a very fine piece. Take it (unless, of course, the rifle is a No. 4T !!!). Post pics when you have it. Luger collectors live in a special world of fine discrimination with regard to markings, surface finish etc. With holster (has that got a number as well???) it should have a value from 600 euros up to .... it all depends. So pics please!

Patrick


P.S. DO NOT TRY TO DISMANTLE IT. GO TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW AND CAN TEACH YOU. There are a couple of tricks to dismantling a Luger - and reassembling it. I twanged a few nerves before I learned how to do it!

[Johnny Peppers]

The magazine should have the full serial number plus the letter suffix on the wood base. The safety lever, takedown lever, ejector, and trigger should all be the straw color unless worn off.

The "spread eagles" should be on the right hand side of the receiver, and the one on the front should be an eagle which is the firing proof, and the others a crown with a letter under it which are acceptance marks.

Your DWM Luger is finished in rust blue, and as the small parts didn't lend themselves to being easily finished in rust blue, so they were heated until they turned the straw color you see which gave a pleasing contrast to the blued pistol.The grip screws were heat blued originally.

[Rusty.303]

G'Day and thanks to both Patrick Chadwick and Johnny Peppers for your help.

After receiving reply I have had another look at the Luger concerned and a deal has been done. [Don't laugh, I swapped for a hunting rifle and the other party was happy]
The same seller also had an Artillery Luger, holster and stock however the Luger concerned was the pick of the two.
After a closer inspection it was found to be in better condition than I first reported, with only very slight holster wear on what i believe to be a take down plate on the LHS in front and above the trigger.
When I first described the pistol I mentioned that the last two numbers of serial were stamped on the small parts, this is not 100% correct as the full serial is on the underside of barrel and on the wooden magazine base.
As advised I will not try to dismantle without prior instruction.
Please note that it appears as the screws have never been touched.
The holster is marked with what I presume to be the makers name and town which is herman somthing, magdeburg and dated 1918.
In regards to the acceptance marks picture posted by Johnny Peppers, the stamps appear to be similar and in the same sequence however there is two of the stamp in the center.
As soon as the necessary paperwork has been processed and I take possession of the pistol I will take some good quality photos and post them.

When I take possession of the 1917 Luger is it OK to leave it in the same safe as my 1918 Colt 1911, they might want to fight each other again.

Thanks again

[emmagee1917]

The funny tool is also used to remove the firing pin when stripping for cleaning . If you google it , there a several vidios and written instructions on how to field strip it . It's not that hard and the only real tricks is getting the "T" piece to drop in the right place ( up-side-down makes it a snap) and to reset in the side plate ( do it a couple of times as you remove it to get it down pat ).
Chris

[Patrick Chadwick]

When I take possession of the 1917 Luger is it OK to leave it in the same safe as my 1918 Colt 1911, they might want to fight each other again.

My Artillery 08 lives quite peacefully in the same gunsafe as my ex-British Army .455 Colt New service. I haven't heard any squabbling!

And my Type 38 Arisaka lives in a safe that is otherwise entirely populated by Enfields!

The same seller also had an Artillery Luger, holster and stock however the Luger concerned was the pick of the two.

I think you should find another hunting rifle to swap for the Artillery 08. An Ari 08 (that is the usual abbreviation) with holster and stock (they could also be matching!) is worth from 4-figures to very serious 4-figures, depending on degree of matching, original finish etc. Grab it if you possibly can. They are worth hundreds even as wrecks for parting out!

Patrick

[Johnny Peppers]

Lange Pistole 08 = LP.08

Artillery is something that came from collectors.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Artillery is something that came from collectors.

Maybe, but that's what everybody understands! - If I write LP here in Germany, people think I mean Luftpistole, i.e. air-pistol.
The important point is that one of those whatever-you-call-ems with stock and holster is a great rarity, and really something different to shoot.

Patrick

[Johnny Peppers]

Maybe, but that's what everybody understands! - If I write LP here in Germany, people think I mean Luftpistole, i.e. air-pistol.
The important point is that one of those whatever-you-call-ems with stock and holster is a great rarity, and really something different to shoot.

Patrick

Anyone that thinks an LP.08 is an air pistol obviously isn't a Luger collector.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Anyone that thinks an LP.08 is an air pistol obviously isn't a Luger collector.

Very true! But they have been copied in .22 and LEP.