First Luger. I have a few questions.
 

I bought the Standard Catalog of Luger for the Kindle and here's what I know.

It's a 1915 DWM. All parts including internals and grip panels match. It has the proof marks listed proof 2 number 15 as listed on this website. The rear most toggle pin is lacking a number steamed into it however.

But it doesn't seem to be a reblue and it has no unit markings on the front strap. Just what I think is a M under the the trigger guard. They don't appear to be removed. They just appear to have never been there. I thought I understood that military proofed P-08 would have to have unit markings. Why wouldn't this one?

Thanks for your help,
Dave

Quite simply they were not all unit marked. Some units were exempt, for some such reason of German bureaucratic mindset.
dju

I don't believe anyone has ever mentioned that particular study before...Who is the author???

OK, found it...

Standard Catalog of Luger [Kindle Edition]
Aarron Davis (Author)

Product details

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 3358 KB
Print Length: 258 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0896894118
Publisher: Gun Digest Books; 2 edition (20 Sep 2006)

I'm not very informed on Luger books...Anyone else have comments on this study???

Hi Dave, Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new Luger. Less than 10% of 1915 DWMs were unit marked, and no Imperial era (WW1) Lugers had numbered rear toggle axles. Regards, Norm

Dave,

Welcome aboard!
You did fine for your first Luger. Your seems to be in collectable grade, which is always nice. The only thing I would change is the magazine, as it seems to be an aftermarket example. The correct one for this DWM 1915 should have a wood bottom and nickled tube.

All the best,
Douglas

Thanks very much to all those who replied. It's refreshing to see a collector's board that doesn't treat new collectors with disdain.

I was looking to replace the magazine as I found the spring inside it is kinked and bent. I never even considered looking in the magazine at the spring or checking the spring for tension. The magazine floor plate is also missing one of the two pins that hold it into place. After seeing the prices on magazines for this handgun I'm going to buy a replacement spring from Wolff and find a new pin.

I guess Mecgar no longer makes P08 magazines? Should I find a WW1 era magazine with a wooden floor plate for this handgun or not bother spending the money?

Dave

Mec-Gar Mags
 

Dave...welcome to the forum. The folks here are super nice to newbies like me.

I just purchased two Mec-Gar magazines for a P-08 from Numrich Gun Parts; Item SKU 1247570 for $39.85. They have both blued as well as chrome bodies. I tested mine yesterday at the range in a 1916 DWM and a byf 41. Both mags worked fairly well in each pistol.

Hope this helps,

John

Welcome Dave, nice example.

Sir,

I couldn't resist the price but have found out that real books are easier to tote and refer to at gun shows.

If everyone who published books on collector's weapons would have the idea to put them in ebook format I'd thank them for it. I could carry my Arisaka, Walther, Colt, and now Luger books to the gunshow in my cargo pocket on my pants. Then I could use the search feature to find what I'm looking for.

To be fair this Luger book doesn't seem to be as definitive as I've to expect as compared to the other books I own for collectors. But that's just a gut feeling.

Unfortunately numrich is sold out of P-08 magazines at the moment.

Dave

CDNN has both MecGar and Stoeger P-08 mags at a good price. I have purchased from them many times, including P-08 mags, and can recommend them.

Gerry Tomek [G.T.] on this forum is a magazine wizard; last time I emailed him he had Mec-Gar magazines, or upgraded Mec-Gar mags with aluminum or wood bottoms...or with special springs...

I sent a PM to GT. Thanks for your help. Would you believe that CDNN is also out of magazines? Mecgar doesn't even list the P08 mag's on their website right now.

Dave

(Good Grief! I must have got the last one! :eek:)

GT is your go-to man for magazines and their repairs. I'm surprised that everyone is out of Mec-Gar's. Did you try Brownells?
dju

Brownell's is out. So's MidwayUSA too.

Dave

I wrote a detailed review of this book when it was new and posted it on Jan Still's forum, where it is still there to be read http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...ger-quot-(long)

The short version is, this book is full of bad information and cannot be relied upon. Avoid it.

--Dwight

Pretty nice 1915! :)
Notice the full length sear bar, this started to change in 1916.

Vern

OK I wasn't very impressed with the book so I guess I was right. I found more proof marks on this webpage than I did in the book.

On an unrelated point, how do you thank someone officially?

Dave