1909 dwm
 

Just picked up this DWM; my first P08. Very happy...

:cheers:

Congratulations! I think t's a good start!

Looks like a handsome example.

:thumbup: did it come with any accessories? :rolleyes:

Congratulations Mark, I agree wholeheartedly with Sergio and Doug, a very nice first acquisition, it appears to be a 1920 Commercial from your photos and a very nice example.

Lon

Looks like a very nice 1908 Commercial to me.

No accessories to this one; so I'm searching for a holster and another magazine. I have some other thoughts too.

Not being versed in commercials what distinguishes a 1920 commercial from a 1908 commercial except serial numbers ? Bill

A 1908 has the "lazy" Crown/N commercial proof in the left side of the receiver and has no stock lug.

Another difference, which can't be seen in the pictures, is all 08 Commercials are 9mm. Most all 1920 Commercials/Alphabet commercials are 30 cal.

Bill/Ron,
It was my understanding that the 1908 pistols had a "lazy" Crown U proof versus the "lazy" Crown N or vertical Crown N proofs on the 1920/23 commercial P-08s.
Lyn

Lyn,
You may be thinking of the earlier Crown/B, Crown/U, Crown/G commercial proofs found on Lugers up until early Model 1906 Lugers. The “U” represents “Untersuchung” or inspection, the “G” represents “Gezogen” or rifled. The Crown/B indicates that the gun was tested with an overpressure load in accordance with the German proof law of 1892 (or was it 1891, I forget?!). This proof test was changed to the “lazy” Crown/N nitro proof in 1906. The vertical Crown/N was introduced in 1920.

Edit: The info on the "lazy" Crown/N is incorrect...see post #14 below. Sorry.

Very interesting. These early DWM pistols are not my area of expertise, but I have what I thought to be a 1908 Commercial S/N 43898, that is clearly "BUG" proofed. No Eagle, stock lug or grip safety and Dwight Gruber has recorded "BUG" proofed 1908s through the 48,000 range. Dwight also has some Crown N proofed pistols listed in these ranges too, so why would have 1908 series P-08s have had one or the other proof types? Thx for helping me better understand this Ron, as you know these early pistols we'll.
Lyn

Lyn,
You are correct. I should know better than posting late in the evening after a 12 hour drive!:)
The "lazy" Crown/N appeared with the M1908, not the M1906 and probably, as Dwight notes in his data base, around 1912. The production of the 1908 Commercial continued until the 1913/14 Commercials with the stock lug were introduced at somewhere around the 7XXXX range. So you can see that both types of proof marks were used during the M1908 production and probably with some overlap.

Sorry to keep you up too late, but certainly appreciate you passing on your thoughts.
Lyn

Every collection starts with one. Thats a nice one~~ Eric

Confusing!
 

I think I'll stick with WWI & later- the early stuff is way too confusing! But thanks, guys, for doing your best to educate this poor, confused soul. :) Bill

I tried to work out the rates given the period; these notes should have covered the purchase at the time...RM 400.

Could you please report the serial number of this pistol for the Commercial database? Thanks ver much.

--Dwight

Dwight, I sent you an PM/e-mail in the format you specified about a 2 weeks ago; did you not receive it?