Found a 1914 DWM Artillery Luger LP08

Hello,

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1914 DWM LP08. I believe it is authentic, however, as I know these are uncommon, I wanted to post it to get some opinions.

Additionally, it is in pretty poor condition. There is some pitting and most of the finish is gone, and the sideplate is mismatched. I know that the 1914 DWM LP08's are rare (I think I read in a post on this forum that the estimated DWM 1914 production was around 1600?), but I am unsure if one in such condition has much or any value to collectors. Also, since they are so uncommon, other sale prices are difficult to find. I appreciate any input you can give me.

Thanks!

CM, This looks to be untouched and in my eyes quite desirable as is! I would buy it and just oil it up and nothing else!. I can see it displayed with a WWI German helmet and tunic. Some collectors drool over the unissued pieces but this one has real history! Yes, the price is the question and I will let some one else answer that. Salt Flat

If your looking for truly detailed information on Lugers, more specifically about this one I recommend going on Activity Stream - Jan C Still Luger Pistols Central Powers Axis Pistols Discussion Boards From Gunboards.com
I asked a question on there as I know virtually nothing about Lugers but was looking at buying one and they gave me straight forward information in regards to what I was looking at and approximate value (was going to buy a Luger for 3250$ and it would have only been worth 2000$).
There are some people on there which are truly experts on this type of firearm and the information they can glean just from some basic photos is astounding.
Hope this helps.

You don't really have to look further than this forum for help...Eaglelord17...it's just a matter of the right people seeing this post.

OP, the what's the story with the P08 top? Just a spare? True, some want the gun as is, I think the pits take a great deal from it, the camera shows rust present. It's not like it can be just refinished with the pits...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

You don't really have to look further than this forum for help...Eaglelord17...it's just a matter of the right people seeing this post.

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I know but it is always good to have a second option. I know for a fact there are some people who are extremely well educated on the subject on the other forum. I am not saying that there aren't people who are extremely well educated here but those guys there tend to live and breath this stuff.

It seems to be quite a nice early LP08, with finely adjustable front and rear sights. But there also seems to be some pitting and be quite some toggle induced deformation of the ramps. If you´re mainly interested in its value, the Jan Still site is the place to go. The price here in Germany would not be excessive. It is mis-matched, which detracts from the price collectors are willing to pay, but has little impact on its function as a pistol. If you wish to keep it as a `shooter´, you´d have to take it to the range and try it out. But care should be taken that it does not inadvertently revert to `full auto´. So only charge the magazine with not more than two rounds at first. Most people here are not all that impressed with the longer barrel and it is undoubtedly preferable with the wooden stock (although there seem to be some legal problems in attaching the stock in the US). If you wish to start a collection, this could be the first step, with a drum magazine, loader, holster and stock board etc. to follow. Some members of the Still site are said to do a good job restoring Lugers like this.

The 1914 dated LP.08 is an extremely scarce pistol with no data on exactly how many were manufactured, with virtually all know examples having three digit serial numbers. Sadly the posted pistol was neglected and allowed to rust and with the mis-matched parts really hurts it's collector value. If it were any other date DWM LP.08 I would say the value would be in the $800/1000 range, but don't know how much premium the 1914 date would add in that condition. Really nice 1914 dates have sold in the $12,500 range.

In the U.S. it is legal to attach an original or reproduction LP.08 stock as the pistol was originally issued with one. As originally issued the holster was attached to the stock board, and this became the stock. Carrying straps went through the slots on the board and this was slung over the shoulder.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/97oe4l-1.jpg

I am NOT a collector. But here are only some of the many "Luger" items that just seem to accumulate as the years pass by:

First of all, thanks to everyone for the replies. BAR, the P08 top is just a spare, an Erfurt commercial I believe.

Johnny, thanks for the info, I had run into the same thing that you mentioned, that in such condition the 1914 date has some unknown impact. I was just worried that the condition including a mismatch would ruin the collectibility. I'll just have to think it over, I find it to be an interesting piece. Thanks again for the help.

Just from my perspective I would not pay any more than $1500 for the pistol. A collector is not going to be interested enough to pay anywhere near top dollar in that condition. The neglected condition plus the incorrect parts are a killer even though it is a rare variation.

Price here in Germany would be somewhere between 400 and 500€

I'm certainly a novice - acquiring my first P08 only a few months ago. I realize it's mismatched, but just the side plate, at least as far as I see. The finish, well, to me I just see character. Very cool piece.

I no longer own any pistols other than "Lugers" (P08/04 etc), so I realise that owning that LP08 just for the fun of it, is something I would likely be inclined to do. The "patina" also makes it desireable (even though it detracts from its "market value"). And it was made by DWM, which I greatly prefer (although Mauser, who made them much later, is assumed to have used a better type of steel). Even non-collectors like me seem to accumulate a large number of connected accoutrements.

Honest wear is certainly acceptable as it shows the pistol was used for it's intended purpose, but for the life of me I can't see how rust and pitting from neglect adds character.

Maybe that´s one of the differences between those that cherish something for what it is and "collectors", whose interest is determined by factors that might be relevant to its commercial value. The slight rust and the slightly distorted rear cams would drive off most "collectors". But a pristine "fully numbered" weapon has very little character and I´d gladly leave it to someone who is more interested in its market price. As I use all of the weapons I prossess regularly, I have very little to do with dealers and their ilk and would not expect them to understand what motivates me.

A dealer could care less about what motivates someone as long as they make a sale. If they can sell rusted and pitted guns it probably makes them happier than selling a nice matching rig with no character.

I'm in your camp Villiers. I shoot everything I own as well. For me, an old gun with a little rust and pitting is something I enjoy bringing back to life. If I owned a pristine, number matched, firearm I wouldn't want to shoot it for fear of breaking one of the number parts (like an extractor on a P08). Although it might be cool to own something so pristine, I would much rather use and shoot it - it's much more fun! -IMHO

I have to agree with that point. I have a Krag carbine that I intend to shoot even though it's original...for the most part. Hope I don't break it...I had a rifle that I didn't shoot for that concern, and just sold it recently. But I have to sort out a ratty looking piece.

If someone cared enough to take care of the pistol over it's 100 year life, it certainly shows character in the people that previously owned it, and the character carries over to the pistol. If someone laid it aside to let it rust and pit that shows lack of character in the person that let that happen. Whether you choose to shoot something is an individual decision, and has nothing to do with condition preventing it from being fired. Why own a neglected pistol in the belief that a nicer pistol can't be fired? Weren't they all made to shoot? If I am going to shoot something, I want it to be nice as well as have character.