New Luger, no date, no proofs, but Military numbers
 

I just picked up, from a fellow forum member, a DWM 9mm, standard P08 configuration with the numbered hold-open and stock lug. What I find interesting is that it is numbered (matching) throughout in the military fashion, however there is no chamber date, no acceptance or proof markings on the left or right side, etc. There is one WW1 style breechblock proof. Serial number is 9825 h. Grip panels are un-numbered but one has an inspector's "S". Some markings I can't make out on the front of the front sight base. Safety and extracter both spelled in German fashion. And there may be a very small dot punched just behind the numbers rear of the barrel base on the left side.
Here are a few photos. Hope someone can explain just where this one fell on the food chain.
Thanks for looking.
dju

Couple more...

David, is that a 'k'?

If a K then a new made for the military, but why it doesn't have any acceptance or proofs is odd.

If an H, then it is possible it was 'unmiliterized' and sold to the public or the USA after being reworked by a german firm, as lots of that happened during the 1920's...

Ed

david, got the package,,,thank you !...btw, how was this pistol
 

described to you at the time of your purchase....?

Ed:
As best as I can tell the suffix matches the 1918 DWM "h" as shown in the technical files.

Tom:
Glad you got the package. This was described to me as a "blank chamber" gun. The rest was basically "I don't know". So I rolled the dice, figuring that it would be a nice shooter if all else fails.

dju

Let's have some more learned opinions or unfounded speculation on this one. I could use a tall tale when it comes time to sell it...
dju

"k" Block
 

David, My 1917 lP08 is from the "k" block, and it has a die stamp that looks very similar to the one on your undated p.08

the loop on top of the letter, the upturned tail on the right...

But I can see that the center of the right hand loop on your suffix doesn't tough the vertical staff, and there is an additional 45 degree mark going the the right at the center of my letter....

Perhaps yours is something put together by DWM after WW-I from WW-I surplus (and partially proofed) parts. A true "sneak" in 9mm...

Marc

It definitely has a story to tell.
dju

I'm going with a "k"

Attachment 31189

What are the ramifications of the H or K suffix in explaining the mystery of the numbers/date/markiings?
dju

It sounds as though we may be approaching the old discussion of "Riff" contract lugers. TH PS: Whether they actually existed doesn't negate an interesting story.

I asked because an h would HAVE TO BE PRE ww1 while a 'k' could be during or after WW1

an alphabet commercial put into military use with a replacement breachblock? ( dont hurt me )

From the pictures, I would say that the right receiver stamps and "somethning"--probably a date--on the receiver have been rremoved.

--Dwight

Could be a regular DWM military but with a replacement barrel extension.

i see a "k".

imho parts were replaced.

reason:
surely i cant compare my collection with yours, but i never saw different stamp-styles at one weapon.

now compare the "2" at the barrel and at the front of the frame, they are different.
also look at the pic, what mrerick postet: even in that angle you can see, that the numbers of the barrel and frame have the same style. and that is original.

regards
klaus