What Is Your Favorite Luger And Why?
 

I decided to start this thread no matter if I'm the only one! My most respected is not the prettiest or most valuable although rare is my 1914 DWM Artillery. This LP08 (Lange Pistole 08) was made by Deutsche Waffen und Munition Fabrik in 1914. It was probobly issued to the German Army in either 1915 or 1915. According to George Anderson it would have seen combat throughout WW1. The 1914 DWM Artillery is the rarest DWM manufactured military pistol known. Serial number 1263 is one of onlythirty-three 1914 DWM artilleries know at this time. These pistols have the unique characteristics of a low serial number with no letter suffix and three Crown over 'S' acceptance stamps only on the right side of the receiver. The thirty-three serial numbers are reported and listed by fellow member Mr. Bob Young that ranges from 38 to 1612. Its known that within the serial range of the 1914 LP08s, P08s are also reported which makes it difficult to estimate total LP08 production based on fellow member Mr Young's collected numbers. The earliest 1914 P08 reported by Jan Still is serial number 84. Jan estimates 750-1200LP08s produced. This particular pistol has been in George Anderson collection 1200 and 1203. George Anderson puurchased this luger #1263 from LTC Tom Armstrong who ppurchased it from Dr. Val Berman. As of this summary the reported serial numbers: 38, 48, 75, 119,121, 161, 182, 183, 202, 223, 262, 400, 435, 461, 533, 606, 689, 677, 696, 677, 713, 796. 826, 840, 925, 965, 980, 1069, 1200, 1203, 1263, 1316, 1612~ George Anderson, Mount Jackson, Virginia Please post your most memorable and share your story! Eric

To be honest. My favorite Lugers are... mine:D

"Thou Shalt Not Covett Thy Neighbors Lugers" Eleventh Commandment!

I'm not now, and never will be a serious Luger collector, but if I had to choose my "favorite", it would just be a "plain Jane" DWM Imperial army P08 of WWI vintage 1914 - 1918. To me this is the classic Luger.

Best regards,

Which ever one I have in my hand, or looked at last! ;)

Being over 100 years old, I hold it and try to picture the multiple owners that it survived. They are the one item that we often traded among our GI,s The artillery were most coveted and and still is as they were more rare! Ownership is only a present right to possess. We merely only borrow them for a while before being passed on at some point! That is why I appreciate ever moment that I am their present keeper and the responsible that come with that privalege! They make me happy!!

Eric, that's really an awful question, like asking if we love one of our children more than the others!!

But one of the clan rose to the surface of my thoughts, so I'll give you another look at her. She's a M1900 Commercial, which I was able to afford because of the fine, overall shallow pitting. No import mark, BUG proofed, all matching, and at serial #3406, it was made well before the U.S. Test Trial Lugers.

Norinco luger nr. 1001

Because its the first of only 2 prototypes.
Because I rediscovered its existance back in 2009.
Because it ended up in a good friends collection.
Because my partner bought it for me as a birthday present.

I am curious. Does it work?

Yup :)

Ah, my favorite lugers are the ones in my collection, minus my troublesome byf41. I'm really digging my new unit marked 1911 erfurt though

I had to cheat and add another favorite, 1900 US Test Luger and holster~

Vlim,

These were mentioned in Deutsches Waffen Journal long before 2009.

Sieger

I know. In 1993.

I contacted Norconia about them in 2009. They first denied their existance. I then sent them a copy of a 1993 article from DWJ. 3 months later 1001 was up for sale...

1906 American Eagle in 9mm.

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_1027.jpg

Dave my first was the result of living with a Basque family in southern France as a student exchange family in 1972!. Their grandfather showed me my first sight of a luger that was hidden among empty vine bottles under the house with a clay floor. He had been with the Basque resistance during the war. He inherited it from his grandfather who used it in the Great War as they refer! Yes all this history and an honor to hold. I held it for the first time and never let go!! It had a correct French markings on top of the barrel, "Manufacture d'Armes & Cycles de Saint-Etienne" Made for the French Commercial market~Years later while still in my first year of law school at Villanova, one came up for sale and I lost my Luger Virginity. Tres Tres Bien! The French started my luger addition, 21 lugers later~-- Eric

WOW!! What a beautiful Bird!! TKS

I'm partial to the later Swiss Lugers - this one from 1938... Why? Because of the precision and the elegant simplification that they achieved:

Beautiful, I also have a place in my heart! George found me a beautiful 1906 Swiss military Luger! Also a very rare Swiss Luger Competiton Award! What is the physical difference between the military and commercial version?

Hi Eric

I like them all, but among the Lugers I own this is surely my favourite:

The Swiss are so far the favorite for style! Sergio As you are right next door accross the pond! love to have you visit Florida! What model is it? Accurate as a Swiss Watch~Little or no toggle wear! Beautiful straw and bluing! Are there any virgins still left in Italy and not the grape~??? Luv Ya! Eric

Anything rebuilt by the East Germans. I have no I idea why..... I just like Easties.

I like the dished toggles, 1900-1902. Pure art with that barrel taper. :)

Artistic slope! I have no idea why they changed to a course button instead!

I did some thinking! First I posted the 1902. The P08 came out later with the change to a more rugged grip! Better I would imagine for dirty muddy environments. Below in the middle is the first issue military, 1908. Germans had a purpose behind everything. The 1906 Frenchy had the change first year I believe and they saw it coming! Tomorrow I'll hit the books. But I'm still a romantic~

Eric,
you just like them all! ;)

Your Right! I just can't resist! They are all so pretty!!

Lugers
 

Hard choice between the Navy Luger and my byf 42's (two). I love the lines of the 6" Navy, but the byf 42's are special because they were made in the last year of Mauser's regular Luger production for the German military (before Mauser shifted production to the P.38) . ;) Bill

The last year of German luger production (actually P08 production) was 1953. Mauser made it's last P08 in 1948...

Commercial Parabellum production ended with the shutdown of Mausers production facilities in 1999. But Krieghoff did a small series in 2009 to 2010.

byf 42 Photo
 

Added a photo of my byf 42 from my previous post. Bill

a 1911 Erfurt Machine Gun Unit~
 

Appearing in Jans' Imperial Lugers, page 145~

Eric- thanks for starting this thread; such beautiful creations! I can't wait to see more. Bill

Thank you! I beg you all to share your favorites! TKS, Last Year a fellow member who was vacation relatives on our west coast. We met at our house in Port St. Lucie. We examined all 20 and my assorted leather and ammo~ A Great Sunday! 'LUGER SHOW AND TELL' !! Please spare a moment and post a favorite or two!! No Luger Hoarded!! Eric

A Few Of Our Favorite Luger Hero's, PLEASE SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT!

Things Always Appears Nicer~
 

Boxed

A Nice Assortment~

Eric, you devil! Wow! Thanks for making me drool all over my keyboard. Bill

Eric
Nice pictures but you are going to wear them out taking pictures of them. Bill

Eric

This Swiss is one of the first 1900 ever made by DWM (# 763) still with a low mag button. :rockon:

Here you go Eric...pick any one of them and it might be my favorite, depending on how I'm feeling that day. :thumbsup: