Reed,
Although the "hold open" that locks back the toggle with an empty magazine was part of the original Luger design it was not included on P-08 military lugers until 1913. At that point, earlier P-08 lugers were retrofitted with the hold open, however, some were not, especially Bavarian Army lugers. I am not able to acces your photos but there is a good posibility that your 1911 Luger was never modified with the hold open. In my opinion, this does not enhance or detract from the value of your Luger, which has little collector value anyway because of the chrome job. Enjoy this gun for what it is. The unit marking and (possibly) lack of hold open, and the probable WWII GI chrome job are part of its special history. KFS
|