Red nine LP08s were branded at the unit level. These grips only appear on 1917 dated LP08's.
Units after receiving the early deliveries of 9mm C96 pistols were instructed to mark the grips with nines due to confusion with the many thousands of 7.63 Mausers already in service. At the same time the C96 directive went out to the units tens of thousands of LP08's were being delivered to infantry units for the first time. Soldiers being soldiers and officers being officers confusion must have struck in some units and LP08s were marked as well
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