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03-01-2016, 07:45 PM | #1 |
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DWM P08 Mixmaster, opinions requested
I've been wanting a shooter P08 and recently purchased this one. It came from Federal Firearms in Delaware. The proprietor Chris is a first class gentleman and a pleasure to do business with. This P08 came from a collection he was selling for a widow and included many vintage firearms. I paid approximately $800.00 for it.
Here is what I know: The upper (serial number 7519 a block) appears to be matching and the lower (serial number 4281 a block) the same, but different from each other. It is a 9mm, I checked the barrel and chamber. No date over the chamber. Here's what I would like to know: What vintage is the upper and what vintage is the lower? Is it all made by DWM or by? What are the proof marks, Imperial military or what? Has the chamber date been removed or not? Other thoughts and/or opinions welcome. Note, I did not have time today to do a complete field strip. More pictures will follow tomorrow. Thanks |
03-01-2016, 07:56 PM | #2 |
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The upper is from a 1908 model (pre-1910 if I remember right) - as the acceptance and proofs are on the left.
The frame is harder to judge, as it could be from a lot of DWM's or even early Mausers - we could narrow it down, but not much I think. Perhaps someone will see something I missed. Ed
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03-02-2016, 05:51 AM | #3 |
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The lack of date over the chamber makes it a 1908 or 1909 production, dated chambers started in 1910. The side plate is consistent with early production marked in the commercial manner.
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03-02-2016, 09:56 AM | #4 |
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The bottom has no Mauser hump and appears to be an Alphabet commercial frame.
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03-02-2016, 10:04 AM | #5 |
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The upper is early military, a 1908 First Issue made in 1909. I have no idea about the lower except that it post dates 1913.
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03-02-2016, 10:06 AM | #6 |
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Is that a horn mag. bottom?
dju |
03-02-2016, 10:26 AM | #7 |
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The frame should have belonged to an Alphabet Commercial Luger.
Nice gun even if it's a mix of at least two Lugers.
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03-02-2016, 11:23 AM | #8 |
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If you plan to shoot 9mm ammo, you may want to check the recoil spring in the frame, that it has at least 19 coils, as most Alpha commericals were 7.65mmP and only had 17 turns; to light for 9mm. TH
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03-02-2016, 12:41 PM | #9 |
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Thanks for all the replies so far. I really appreciate it.
More pictures after field stripping. Additional questions: About the frame possibly being an Alphabet Commercial, I thought no "a" blocks for those, am I wrong? And I am correct that it is "a", true? What do the all those letters and markings under the grips on the frame signify? What does the "B G" near the trigger on the frame mean? What about the "v" on the firing pin? No other markings on it. What type of magazine is this? I can find no markings on it whatsoever. Last edited by Tinplatejeff; 03-02-2016 at 07:12 PM. |
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03-02-2016, 02:39 PM | #10 |
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O must compliment yout photo skills! Nice. The mag looks to be a Mexican one of low quality. You need a Mecgar for shooting.
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03-02-2016, 03:39 PM | #11 |
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Despite not being a true "collectible " I really wouldn't use this one as a shooter.
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03-02-2016, 03:44 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
if it is not a shooter, what is it for? I doubt he will hurt the piece in any way by firing "normal" 9mm ammo. Just my two cents, too!
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03-02-2016, 03:50 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
I would rather use an all matching 41 BYF as a shooter. And if anything breaks. Replace it. Here's your change. |
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03-02-2016, 07:15 PM | #14 |
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I'm torn on shooting it or not. I'm quite enamored with its appearance. It really speaks to me. It must of seen so much history.
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03-02-2016, 07:22 PM | #15 |
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Shoot IT!
Bob |
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03-02-2016, 08:10 PM | #17 |
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Clean it, lubricate it and stabilize the active corrosion (well oiled 0000 steel wool on an oiled blued surface).
The marks you see on the frame are production inspection marks that were applied as it was manufactured and moved from step to step. They reflect the manufacture step and gauged inspection of various workers. You are correct. It is an "a" suffix serial number, and there were no Alphabet Commercial DWM guns in an "a" block. It went from "i" to "t" IIRC. The "v" on the firing pin makes me wonder if it's a Swiss with a Vogelsang inspection mark. Never seen the "B G" marks like that near the trigger.
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03-02-2016, 09:37 PM | #18 |
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It is a gun.
It is designed to be shot. Yes..Last summer I took out my Imperial Navy stocked 6 inch Luger and in the first magazine I blew out the back of the bolt with Winchester white box. I had been shooting this pistol for years. Not that much. It's more of an exhibition shooter. Just took out a divot but it let loose the firing pin and stopped the pistol in it's tracks. Killed the bolt. Probably the 5th or 6th Luger I have seen fail during my shooting due to broken parts. My Navy is a shooter so I just replaced the bolt and went back to the range. But Luger's are NOT infallible. They can and DO break. Just so you know.
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03-02-2016, 09:54 PM | #19 |
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03-02-2016, 10:15 PM | #20 |
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Jeff, I don't really know when Mexican mags were made. I guess they were made for import into the USA? Usually if you see a pretty poorly made mag it's likely to be a Mexican one. A lot of times it has Mexico or made in Mexico on them. It's just a guess...your mag may also be Danish. Just don't look German to me.
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