1914 DWM arty/4" WW2 "HZA" rework
 

My latest Parabellum acquisition.

What I have been able to determine thus far...

This one began its service life as a 1914 DWM 'artillery', as evidenced by the notch (for the rear artillery sight) on the front of the chamber.
--barrel extension/receiver is an Erfurt mfg. spare part as evidenced by the imperial 'empty crown' acceptance proofs. The frame is from an early Navy luger as explained below.--
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps78281038.jpg

Was reworked in 1939/1940 timeframe by the HZA depot in Ingolstadt (HZa jt3 waffenampt proof). 4" barrel with Mauser 42 code, and 655 Waffenampt proof, force match by depot.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...psf565e8e7.jpg

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...psf60742fc.jpg

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3abccf62.jpg

Mauser 42 code replacement grips with 655 Waffenampts.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps538b6353.jpg

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...psb3514fc1.jpg

Came with Hanael Police Eagle "L" mag with an rather beat-up crudely renumbered (not matching) WW1 Imperial-proofed wooden mag base.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5075dacf.jpg

very unusual

I find it a shame that folks don't at least say what country / state they are in

A couple of questions for those more knowledgeable than I...
 

Thank you for having a look at my rework.

A couple of questions I still have...

I have seen the same exact HZA jt3 'stick eagle' stamp on other rework lugers. I have never seen or heard of the eagle and swastika over the HZA jt18(?) stamping in the final firing proof position? The stamping itself appears to have been double-struck, and is a bit difficult to make out.

--Upon utilizing the search function, I have found some references to the HZA jt18 stamping. I still wonder how unusual the full eagle and swastika HZA jt18 stamping in the firing proof position might be...--

Interestingly, the take-down lever (as can be seen in the photo) is marked both on the front (military) and on the underside (commercial-style?), as well as the side plate. The safety lever also is marked with the last two digits of the s/n on top. Is this a feature of WW1 lugers? I'm more familiar with WW2 P. 08's.

Thank You!!

I am located in WV, USA. Not trying to be an 'international man of mystery', just a poor boy from WV. :)

Congratulations for your photos, well detailed indeed; did you mean to get a collectible or a plain shooter?

Was kinda just looking for a WW1...
 

...and I spotted this one, and recognized it as being 'unusual'. Did a little research and while I found HZA jt3 reworks, I've never seen that particular firing proof.

I am a WW2 US and German small arms collector, and I find it fascinating studying and acquiring these pieces of history! I am especially fascinated by those weapons that have "been there and done that".

I am also a Mauser nut, and I recognized the mauser codes on some of the re-work parts.

It is my understanding that a lot of these rework lugers were used by the SS and other Nazi organizations that did not have access to the usual channels of procurement that the established military forces were able to utilize.

This pistol just serves to illustrate to me how fascinating a field of study and collecting the 'world of lugers' truly is!

This is a very interesting pistol in more ways than you recognize. The Imperial empty crown acceptance stamps indicate that the receiver was originally an armory spare part. I you look closely you will note that the pistol is built on long frame (commercial Parabellum, discontinued in 1913).

--Dwight

42 code replacement barrel proofed E/655 and replacement grips marked E/655.

yes, was hoping that Dwight would see this / the HZA's are interesting ones to me

thank you!
 

Yes indeed it is a long frame, thank you for pointing that out! Makes the pistol that much more interesting, indeed!

Another difference I'd noted was the reversal of the safety...the "gesichert" had been milled out from it's original "down" position, and "gesichert" milled into the "up" position.

I had wondered about the meaning of the crown proofs with no script D or other proofs below them... I am not as well-studied on WW1 P. 08's. Is the crown proof on the breech block a commercial one?

Fascinating to find out that the frame was an arsenal replacement part originally... What implications does that fact have with respect to the chamber date and/or serial number, I wonder?

I did recognize the Mauser "42" code on the re-arsenal barrel and grips. That, along with the E/655 proofs helped me to ascertain an approximate date of the rebuild, and possibly why...

If the reference to location is to the originator of this item, he does say that he is from West Virginia. That has been a state since 1863.
Now I am curious as to what part of WV he is located in.
thanks
Jack

Village of Barboursville, in Cabell County.

Howdy Neighbor!

The receiver is the replacement part. The safety marking as you describe indicates the frame is from a Navy Luger, one of the first 19,000 produced on safe with the lever in the "up" postition. In 1912 Navy Department specified that henceforth the pistols would be prduced with the safety in the "down" position, and that the Lugers already issued would be so altered.

The beechblock proof is located on the left side, on the bit which extends above the receiver extension rail. It cannot be seen in these photographs.

In addition, replacement parts were manufactured by the Erfurt Imperial Rifle Factory. In 1916 all Erfurt P08 receivers were required to be made with the LP08 sight notch.

--Dwight

For the sake of clarity and completeness, I'm attaching another pic showing the reversed safety.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...pscc15db58.jpg

my stars thats a nice example

Greetings from St. Albans!

if the frame is a long style (from a navy) and the receiver is a short style (from an arty), wouldn't the front edges not align?

sorry. answered my own question by looking at photo no. 4 in the opening posting.

A truly rebuilt from the Third Reich - and not another one messed by Bubba.
I would love to have it in my collection.
Congratulations.