Need to identify a Luger

[bobg]

A relative of mine just came across a German Luger that we can't identify. It has 1918 stamped over the chamber, the DWM initals on the toggle, a 8" barrel, and its caliber 30 Luger. I've looked in Lugers at Ramdom by Kenyon but can't find any mention of this style Luger. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

The Luger started out as a military Luger manufactured in 1918 by DWM in 9mm caliber.
Is the rear sight on the barrel, or on the back of the toggle assembly? Pictures?
Commercially made barrels in a variety of lengths and in both 7.65 and 9mm were available following WWI.
This is a 1914 dated 8" barrel LP.08 "Artillery" that has the original 9mm barrel with the rear sight on the barrel, and no sight on the back of the toggle assembly.

[browningautorifle]

Quite right, without pics how could we identify it?

[bobg]

The rear sight is on the back of the toggle, not on the barrel. Its a standard military type sight, nothing adjustable.

[Johnny Peppers]

The pistol was originally a 4" barrel military that has had the barrel changed after it left the military. Does the barrel have a serial number?
Pacific Arms and Stoger offered Luger replacement barrels up to 20" long.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Johnny has said it already. Sounds like a commercial conversion. Still goes on today.

[bobg]

The barrel did not have a serial number on it. I'll have to look at it again to see if there is any proof marks or other marks on it. The gun has a 4 digit serial number and the last 2 numbers of it appear on all the small parts. The finish on the barrel matches the rest of the gun also. Looks like an all original gun but if the barrel was changed some time ago, it would probably match today I guess. Thanks everyone.

[Johnny Peppers]

The entire pistol may have been refinished when the barrel was replaced. The original finish would have been rust blue, which is a soft blue color as shown on the picture of the pistol I posted. The small parts like the trigger, safety, and take down lever were originally finished in a "straw" color.

[bearhunter]

Jp, the Swiss were the first nation to adopt parabellum pistols in 1906. The calibre of choice was 7.63.

As the OP specifically asked for "German" information your answer was totally correct. I just threw in the above for a bit more information.

His inquiry sparked a question that's been in the back of my mind for a long time. I was wondering, because of the position of the back sight if it might not be Swiss. The Swiss parabellums are probably the most basic of the whole line of pistols. The only frill would be the grip safety. Beautifully made though. Some of the German pistols although well made, looked quite crude by comparison.

[Johnny Peppers]

[QUOTE=bearhunter;153642]Jp, the Swiss were the first nation to adopt parabellum pistols in 1906. The calibre of choice was 7.63.
Bearhunter,
The Swiss were the first to adopt the Luger, but it was in the first half of 1900 and the caliber was 7.65mm, and they were made by DWM. The 1906 pistol was identical to the 1900 except the mainspring was changed from a leaf spring to a coil spring, flat toggle knobs, no toggle lock, and an extractor that also served as a loaded chamber indicator.
The 06/29 pistol was made by the Swiss, and compared to the original Luger are butt ugly in my opinion. The toggle knobs are smooth as the safety lever, and the front grip strap is straight where the original Luger had a gentle curve at the bottom.
The Model 1900 Swiss pistols were identical to this one with the exception of the chamber marking, as this is an American Eagle.