DWM Luger P.08 Collector's don't even know!

[KookaRocha]

Okay, I am really really trying to identify this gun a little more accurately than I already know.

I know this is a DWM made P.08

I know it matches and has walnut grips

There is no grip safety or stock lug

There is no lockback mechanism

What that tells me so far is that I have an early model either military or commercial that is made in 1908, only the first ones made did not have a lockback mechanism from what I have read.

I do not believe I have the standard commercial because it lacks the commonly heard crown BUG stamp

I have found the description of the stamp it does have on some military models however mine is in a different order

Here's the other kicker, the serial number is 8480 with NO letter designator, I understand that what they did was go from 1 to 9999 then do it all over again with a new letter stamp... ie. 1234a, 1234b, 1234c etc etc... this gun has no letter designator!

so with all those factors, many are at a loss - any knowledge on this topic would be appreciated, I'm considering selling this gun from my collection and I want to have a better idea about it.

I did not purchase it, in fact it was willed to me by my father, his brother a Marine Embassy Guard was given this pistol from a friend of his that was a mercenary that served with him in the Belgian Congo way back in the 50's.

I'll attempt to get the pictures here:


first attempt with glare of the s/n 8980


symbols look like 1. eagle 2. shield or letter c with a crown 3. a number 3 with a crown


maybe a better shot?


the s/n on the frame this time 8980

 

[blue german]

With clean photos I believe I could ID your Luger.

1) true commercial guns had NO letters - only numbers

2) What caliber is it? 30 Luger or 9mm?

3) Many 1920 Commercials were sold with the stock lug ground off befor finishing
this should look exactly like a pre-1914 Luger that never had the stock lug

4) Lugers pre-WWI underwent a safety change - the movement of the safety was reversed
Which way do you move your safety to fire it?

5) Hold-open devices were added to the Luger design before WWI began - does yours truely lack it
....or has it simply been removed?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Not to be cruel, but there is no reason to post blurry photographs of details. The only things not in focus in your images are the things you are asking questions about. If you are using a digital camera, there is no reason to not retake the pics until you get it right.

Where most people make mistakes on trying to get closeup images with digital cameras is by moving the object too close to the camera such that the camera cannot focus on it or will not focus on it. Simply move the object back to a point where you can get it in focus. Then edit the picture by blowing up the area of interest and cropping away the rest. For things like markings on guns, most digital cameras will do fine or more than fine with the possible exception of cell phone images.

 

[paul45]

I was interested in this thread until I saw the pics.

Come on.....you waste my important thread reading time with crappy, blurry pics??

 

[zhyla]

Shame, shame, shame on your blurry photos. Send the gun to me and I will take nice pictures with my DSLR.

 

[oneounceload]

Set your camera on macro and use a tripod - your shots will be close up and crystal clear. From what little I could see, looks like a nice gun

 

[KookaRocha]

Better Shots and Clarifications

As far as I can tell there are no letters anywhere on this pistol - only the serial number in all the common locations. With the exception of the eagle symbols, the DWM logo, and the crowned C & 3.

The caliber is definitely 9mm and still fires well actually.

I couldn't tell you for certain about the stock lug, I haven't seen enough to be able to distinguish.

As far as the safety goes, you move the lever up to remove the safety.

As best as I can tell, there is no and has been no hold-open device.

And seriously for you guys whining about the photos - give it a rest or go back to doing the dishes! I told you the photos were horrible, it's not easy to get shots of a 2mm size imprint on black only working on glare to show it - especially with a crappy camera.

Now, with that said - better photos - from my dang phone of all things

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Uh, the criticial details are still missing from your images. So they are basically useless. Why post useless images? The letters under next to the safety are such that they can't even be discerned from numbers, much less actually read the word printed. That just isn't helpful.

You want our help, but seem to be trying your hardest to not actually provide us with the visual information needed to help you. Posting blurry pictures and asking us about the details simply doesn't make sense.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Those photos were better then the first set -- BUT -- I still can't read any markings either.

 

[Jim Watson]

The variations in 1920 commercials made up out of overhauled WW I guns and leftover WW I parts are so great as to explain about any such oddity.

www.Lugerforum.com

 

[Maj Dad]

Your bolt hold-open only works with an empty magazine in place. If it doesn't work with it inserted all the way, then either the magazine or the hold-open spring/gizmo on the right side of the frame looking down with the pistol frame (minus upper) in front of you ist defekt. I replaced my spring for the opposite reason: it was weak & locked open on a loaded clip. They can be aggravating, but I really appreciate my 1937 S42. From time to time I break out the schnapps and we have a little Erinnerungstag...

 

[KookaRocha]

Sorry to all you guys that feel I need a camera that costs more than my guns to appease you - not all of us care that much about digital cameras.

I did find a local gun dealer with a lot of experience in Luger's.

Best he could tell, it was a commercial model, two pieces are unmatching, he seems to thing that the breech lock was removed.

He said it's in good condition and not collector grade but either a very nice shooter or something nice with history to hang on to.

With that said - I'm probably going to sell it, so if anyone is interested in purchasing a DWM Luger commercial model with no military markings s/n 8980 with only 2 mismatched pieces - Make me an offer - I'm also willing to do trades.

 

[paul45]

And seriously for you guys whining about the photos - give it a rest or go back to doing the dishes!

Sorry to all you guys that feel I need a camera that costs more than my guns to appease you - not all of us care that much about digital cameras.

A walmart disposable digital camera will take better pics. It's the operator, not the camera.

Get a 10 year old to help you.

 

[rmfnla]

Nice photos of your cleaning gear, tho...