Need Help in Identifying Luger

Mac Cat · 06-18-2024, 05:26 PM

It's a 1917 DWM LP.08, pretty much what you thought.
That was a year of very high production, because WW-1 was going on.

The barrel is numbered to the frame, which is a good thing.
The finish is in poor condition, with a lot of pitting and corrosion.
The serial number on the left side of the receiver is almost obscured.
I don't see any serial number ("91") on the side plate.

The grips appear to be in good condition. They may be numbered to the gun.
(Be careful removing the grips. Push out the right one first from the empty magazine well. Then the left one.)

I can't make out small part numbers that should be on the side plate and other parts.
The middle toggle has the correct number "91", but the ejector looks like it's numbered "04".
You will want to remove the receiver and look at the firing pin and hold-open for partial serial numbers, too (ie "91").

There is about 20% of the straw color remaining on the trigger, safety lever and takedown.
A lot of lugers look this way after being stored in poor conditions (water or even salt water), particularly on one side.

Hopefully water didn't damage the inside of the barrel.

The magazine looks like the right type, wrapped metal with wood bottom.

Bunswanna · 06-18-2024, 06:21 PM

Thank you very much for all this information.

I will check the number on the grips. When you talk about removing them, which side should I push out first from the empty magazine well?

And I'm looking for partial serial numbers of "91" hopefully on all parts. Is the middle toggle the part that also has the DWM stamp? My picture might not show it well, but the partial serial number on the top of the gun between the 1917 and DWM stamps is "91". The "9" is very faint. Is that the ejector? I'm scouring for any partial of "04" but I cant find it.

I found a Lugerman Inc video on disassembling a Luger so when I have the time I will check out the firing pin and inner parts and barrel a bit more thoroughly for more info. From the little research I've done, he seems like a reputable source for Luger information.

And last but not least, any suggestions on cleaning this baby up a bit would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

06-18-2024, 05:26 PM	#1
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 774 Thanks: 2,202 Thanked 665 Times in 354 Posts	It's a 1917 DWM LP.08, pretty much what you thought. That was a year of very high production, because WW-1 was going on. The barrel is numbered to the frame, which is a good thing. The finish is in poor condition, with a lot of pitting and corrosion. The serial number on the left side of the receiver is almost obscured. I don't see any serial number ("91") on the side plate. The grips appear to be in good condition. They may be numbered to the gun. (Be careful removing the grips. Push out the right one first from the empty magazine well. Then the left one.) I can't make out small part numbers that should be on the side plate and other parts. The middle toggle has the correct number "91", but the ejector looks like it's numbered "04". You will want to remove the receiver and look at the firing pin and hold-open for partial serial numbers, too (ie "91"). There is about 20% of the straw color remaining on the trigger, safety lever and takedown. A lot of lugers look this way after being stored in poor conditions (water or even salt water), particularly on one side. Hopefully water didn't damage the inside of the barrel. The magazine looks like the right type, wrapped metal with wood bottom. Last edited by Mac Cat; 06-19-2024 at 07:59 PM. Reason: typos and spelling corrections

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06-18-2024, 06:21 PM	#2
Bunswanna New User Join Date: Jun 2024 Posts: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thank you very much for all this information. I will check the number on the grips. When you talk about removing them, which side should I push out first from the empty magazine well? And I'm looking for partial serial numbers of "91" hopefully on all parts. Is the middle toggle the part that also has the DWM stamp? My picture might not show it well, but the partial serial number on the top of the gun between the 1917 and DWM stamps is "91". The "9" is very faint. Is that the ejector? I'm scouring for any partial of "04" but I cant find it. I found a Lugerman Inc video on disassembling a Luger so when I have the time I will check out the firing pin and inner parts and barrel a bit more thoroughly for more info. From the little research I've done, he seems like a reputable source for Luger information. And last but not least, any suggestions on cleaning this baby up a bit would be much appreciated. Thank you!