We've been having a discussion on what lugers are collectibles and which are not.
This is a recent purchase of mine, it is not pristine, having been re-finished sometime in its life; and it has been modified from its original factory condition.
This 1908-09 produced DWM military luger was made without a stock lug or hold open, and with acceptance markings and proof on the left chamber side. These first military P 08s had no chamber date, and small size font for the numbers on the barrel and frame, and no barrel gage marking. They were also numbered in the commercial or hidden style as seen on this example.
Its first modification was in about 1913-14 was the addition of the hold open at Erfurt, the hold open is numbered to match; the added pin and acceptance marking are seen on the right side. The second mod. was likely during a re-furb or repair, when the serial number was added, as was the norm in later military lugers, to the left chamber over the existing markings.
As kurusu noted, the sear bar escaped modification throughout the life of this example.
Refinish does not appear to be hot blue, neither is it a recent rust blue; I have no idea when it was done in the last 108 or so years.
There are no import markings to be seen.
I have added the period correct magazine, with the number on the tail, similar to the way Navy mags are numbered.
Collectable or not, the old soldier needed a home and it now resides in my safe.
In deference to its age and matching condition, it likely will not see any range time, though I have no doubt it would function just fine. I have "shooters" for shooting and this one will join the ranks of "my" collectibles!
