DWM 1918/20 Police P08 firing pin question
 

Hello Forum, I recently purchased my first P08. After breaking it down and giving it a good cleaning, I tested the pistol successfully. Unfortunately, I've suffered a broken fing pin. In researching a repalcement for the pin I have learned that my pistol's orignal firing pin should have been the "unfluted" type. However, mine was fllutted and interestingly numbered to the rest of the pistol. So I have a couple of questions: 1: was the firing pin design change between the wars an improvement in reliability?
and 2: since mine is a police gun ( sear saftey added and nickled mag with numbered to the gun aluminum base), could that have been when the firing pin style "switch" was made?

Thanks.

Yes to both your questions. Bill

Thank you Sir for the quick reply ! I'm really going to enjoy this pistol. Also teaching my son a bit of military history

If the pistol is all matching, you may be able to have the original firing pin repaired.

What broke? The tip or?

K, I may be able to provide a matching orig DWM unrelieved FP for your PO8. What are the last 2 digits of the serial that your need? TH

I guess it might be called a guide tab? The part of the firing pin that engages with the end of the forward toggle link.

Last two digits are 87.

Yes it is all original as far as I can tell with the exception of the grips. They are WW2 vintage. That would be some intricate work to repair it. The metal at the fracture surface looks almost "crystallized"

You broke more than a "guide tab". That is the area of the firing pin that engages the sear. Without it there is no firing pin.

However, mine was fluted and interestingly numbered to the rest of the pistol. ''

Your pistol was likely updated to include a fluted firing pin. I have had several Police pistols that were gone over by Mauser probably.

If you plan on ever shooting this pistol be sure you replace your firing pin with the fluted type.

Purchased original fluted replacement. Back in business. Thanks for your input.

If the pistol was all matching and in good conditions, in my opinion it was a pity to use it at the range ass a shooter.

In understand your position on this, but of course I feel differently about it. I'm not a collector of fine pistols, I'm a shooter of fine pistols. As far as collectible, yes my P08 is all matching excepting the grips but a DWM 1918/20 Police in good condition is not necessarily rare. I take care of them and when something breaks as it does over time, it is properly repaired and we go on. I translate "all matching" as "parts being excellent in fitment" therefore more likely to function flawlessly.