Couples Questions Please on a 1917 Artillery

[William J]

I thank you in advance for any help you might provide. At the most recent MAX show, I met a gentleman with a 1917 artillery luger for sale that appeared to be an honest wear pistol in about 80-85% condition. He was asking $2000 on the pistol. All the exterior numbers matched although I did not disassemble the pistol. He mentioned it had a matching mag and this leads to my primary question. The numbers in the wood base mag appeared old and original but the numbers ran perpendicular to what I typically see on WWI mags (i.e. vertically around the mag base rather than horizontally across). I came home and dug out my Imperial Pistols and saw that pattern on pictured Navy mags but I did not see anything mentioned that number placement on artilleries. Would (or could) this be correct?

Secondly, the grips had a small red "9" about an inch or so in height at the top of each grip. He showed me an old "capture tag" that came with the pistol with the man's name on it and told me that the man's name and hometown were written on the inside of the grips. When I get to examine the grips, should the serial number also be found inside?

He and I are talking seriously about a trade and I would appreciate any help from the considerably more knowledgeable members here.

Thank you and great collecting,

William

[DavidJayUden]

I'll takle a shot at a couple of issues, then wait for the artillery guys to set the record straight. I do not recall numbers on a military LP08 running the long way across the base of the mag.
Probably the last 2 numbers of the serial number should be found somewhere inside on the grip panel, but they can be hard to see sometimes.
Sounds like an interesting gun. If only it could talk...
dju

[lugerholsterrepair]

William..Lugers before 1910 had this type of number placement. Any Artillery would not have this type as they started in 1914.

Yes..the grips should have the last 2 digits.

Red 9's are not really standard..could be small could be large..could look like factory could look homemade. Nothing standard about them. Many if not all were done by Unit Armorers. Branded in with a hot iron.