Another 1917 L P 08 "Artillery"- with Black 9 grips
 

Bought this one from the March RIA auction, it is well used and has a mismatched side plate and grips.

What drew me to it of course was the "Black 9.) on the grips.

Note the grips are numbered alike but not matching the pistol,
so were mated with this pistol sometime after mfg., unlike the" Red 9 artillery" I posted with matching numbered grips. Grips would have been removed for marking(I would think)- and perhaps mixed up then? They do fit the frame well and show wear consistent with the pistol.

The mystery or conundrum continues as to why "they" felt it necessary to mark these L P 08 pistols, since all military lugers were in 9mm and had been for years. :confused:

It is speculated that the order to mark the grips of the 9mm Broomhandles of 1916 and after caused enough confusion for some armorers to mark all the "new" long barreled pistols.

The shape of these Nines and the period after are surely armorer done, not factory.

This L P 08 also illustrates the common observation of an Erfurt acceptance mark on the right side of the numbered matching rear sight base on an otherwise all DWM pistol. Wonder why?

Another interesting pistol I sure wish could "talk".

Comments, observations, and pictures of your Nine marked artillery pistols are welcome.

Never noticed a dot "." after the nine before, but may have just not noticed. Interesting questions on "why", probably answered best by "because the boss told me to".
Anyway, sounds like you are well on your way to a "niche" collection.
dju

Don, that's an interesting rendering of the "9". Here are some more variations.

Really nice presentation of the various 9s that were done at the time. Thanks, George

Super post George, thanks much!

I could adds some from my data :

More

Don and George

Thanks for this interesting thread, I don't recall ever having seen a Luger with "9" grips!

Patrice,
thanks much for your pictures!

Counting yours, those from George, and my two; there are 29 examples pictured
Some may be duplicates, it is hard to tell- but I think no two are alike!

Here's one more. I picked this one up in Don's back yard some years ago.

Very nice rig Geo.

That's a beauty George.

I just LOVE seeing complete rigs like that...
dju