Finally - my first artillery Luger!
 

Gentlemen,

After some 20+ years, I finally found an LP that to me looks all right. It's a DWM 1916, serial # 61XX a, with a matching magazine. It came with a stock, holster, magazine pouch and harness, as well as a Type I (?) drum magazine.

It did set me back a pretty penny, but since this is probably the last Luger I'll ever buy (yeah, right) I was ok dumping around $ 5K for the whole deal.

I would appreciate your expert comments, also I'd like to know what the unit marking means.

Please excuse the picture quality, it was the best I could do in the fading daylight. I can post more pics tomorrow if necessary.

Regards,

Balder

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090264.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090265.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090268.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090262.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090261.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090256.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090258.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090259.jpg

Oh yeah, congrats! That exact rig right there is what I have wanted since I was 14. Awesome rig!

- WOT

Hi John,

Füs.R.122.8.7. is Füsilier (Rifle) Regt. 122 company 8 weapon 7

That is a great unit mark , and an interesting history.

The 122nd Füs Regt. was part of the 26th Infantry Div. 1914-1915

~Divisional battle history~

1914~Lorraine-Argonne
Flanders
Russia
Poland

1915~
Serbia
Belgium

1916~ Moved to the 105th Infantry Div.
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Galicia- The 122nd Regt. sufferd 26 Officers and 1165 Enlisted casualties.

1917~ Moved to the 243rd Infantry Div. (Formerly the 8th Ersatz Div.)
Lorraine
Aisne
Meuse Hill 344
Meuse (Left Bank)
Verdun

1918~
Battle of Picardy- 122nd Regt. lost 207 casualties.
Picardy
3rd Battle of Somme

Ron

The leather accoutriments are reproduction?

Balder, congratulations on a great LP08. If you would please share the full serial number for my records. Here's mine one company removed and a couple hundred higher serial number. I have also seen a 1917 LP08 marked to the 122nd Regiment.

"The leather accoutriments are reproduction?"

After a closer look, I would have to agree with Doug. The leather looks to be repro.

Ron

I can't find any markings on the leather/wooden parts, but they sure look and smell really old. What makes you suspect it's a reproduction?

Edit: The top flap does look a bit large and square when I compare it to pictures of other holsters. It's kind of like it wasn't originally attached to the rest of the holster. It sure is old though. Maybe a repair/replacement at some stage?

Balder

Balder your leather is modern stuff made in Pakistan. If you look at the back of the holster you will probably see two attachment straps; one vertical the other horizontal. I can not see the details of your stock so I can't pass judgement there. The magazine pouch is also of Pakistani origin.

Thank you, George, I was trying to be polite. The holster looks like it has been forcibly bent in the middle to give it "Krinkle".
Clearly of Paki origin. You can tell just from the sheen and color on the leather

Not trying to rain on your parade, Balder, but if the rig was sold as 100% original, I would look for some sort of rebate from the seller

Gentlemen,

I appreciate your inputs about the unit and the leather, I'll try to take some close-up pictures later on today. I also need to talk with the seller, who, like me, thought the leather was the real deal. How much would it detract from the value?

Can anybody tell me more about the drum magazine; model, year made, etc.?

Balder

Balder the drum was made by Gebruder Bing of Nurnberg. It is the first of four variations made by Bing and was made in 1917.

As to value of the leather, a set of Paki stuff usually can be had for under $200. A full set of original leather in fair or good condition will cost at least $1000. These are current US prices.

I was the seller og this Luger to Balder. It is NOT a copy.
Michael

Well, I guess that settles it doesn't it?:rolleyes:

To the more knowledgeable and experienced posters, is there a primer anywhere on this site that does a comparison and illustrates the things to look for to determine whether the leather and stocks are fake or real?

Al,

The best, and most immediate way to tell is to look at the back of the holster. If it has a vertical belt loop below the mounting block, it's a Paki reproduction. Also, the type of wood the stock is made from, and the wood to metal fit of the stock iron. Otherwise, you have to see the leather quality and stitching hands-on, and smell it. There's a difference due to ageing and the tanning process.

Ron

Gentlemen,

Please take a look at the attached pictures, opinions are appreciated.

Balder

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090271.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090275.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090277.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090278.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090279.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090280.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090281.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090282.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090283.jpg

Balder
Regardless of what the seller claims. if George Anderson says the rig is a Paki reproduction you can bet it is. This one is a no brainer as even I can see the signs of it's origin.

Heh heh

- WOT

Stock iron should have a serial number and the stock a Crown S or C if military. I would like to add great unit mark on the LPO8. The 26TH Div was one of the best shock divisions in the German Army. I have a S98 scaber unit marked to the 119 Rgt which was part of the 26TH Div. I also like the bread bag and shoulder tab to go along with the LPO8.

The leather and the stock are both reproductions.

In my humble opinion, the entire rig is a reproduction. The pistol is a keeper.

Sorry to have opened up a can of worms here.

George: I especially like the 122d shoulderboard.....very nice.

That is how we learn by exposing fakes and reproductions. Maybe we can help others avoid these mistakes. I have to agree a reproduction. I also agree if George says reproduction take it to the bank. Bill

Gentlemen,

As far as I am concerned, there has not been opened cans of worms or anything else in this thread. I came here to ask advice and opinions, I appreciate your honesty in offering just that - thanks to all of you!

Balder

Gentlemen,

The deal was renegotiated, I ended up with the gun only. I am still wondering how many LPs were made by DWM in 1916 - can anybody help?

Balder

Balder, Surely you didn't leave the 32 round trommelmagazine behind?

Jerry Burney

Jerry,

In deed I did, once the seller and I realized its real value - which hit us during the renegotiating process.

Although interesting and in excellent condition, I have other hobbies that I need to spend that kind of money on. Two motorcycles and (soon) a new sail yacht take up a lot of my money as well as spare time.

But I am quite happy with having the pistol only. I have been wanting an LP ever since one of my father's war-time friends showed me and let me fire his when I was around 11-12 years old. In the UK in 1942, he was issued a DWM 1917 LP by the SOE before he was sent on clandestine operations in German-occupied Norway. I've been trying to buy that particular pistol from the late agent's son, but he wants to keep it - no surprise.

Balder

Some better pictures of my new baby:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090351.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...8/P1090352.jpg

Glad you got the gun. Now with regard to the sail yacht, I am sure you know that the definition of a boat is "a hole in the water into which you pour money" :)!

Ron,

Thanks. A friend of mine came up with another good definition of how it feels to be the owner of a sailing vessel: "It's like standing fully dressed in an ice cold shower while tearing up 100-dollar bills". Oh well. I know what I am facing, been there before.

Balder