1920's DWM Commercial re-work of 1918 DWM P 08 Military

[DonVoigt]

This is a typical 1920's "Germany" marked for export Luger, and not so typical at the same time.

It appears to have initially been sold on the "surplus or commercial market" as an "as is" 1918 DWM P 08, with "Germany" added as an export marking. The pistol was likely matching, and still is save for the replaced barrel and rear toggle and a mismatched breech block, but still has the original striker. The walnut grips fit very well and are not numbered; they could also be original to the pistol, as by 1918 not all grips were numbered.

The 1904/06 6" Navy marked C/M barrel is also marked "Germany", and the rear toggle/navy adj. sight has no number. The barrel is the long shank variety and uses a spacer ring as seen to screw into and fit the short threaded later receiver of 1918.

The "upgrade or change" to Navy configuration could have been done in Germany or in the US after import of the pistol; by using surplus parts that were also sold to the US in the 1920's.

The original 1918 DWM Military Serial number is 8378 i, still matching save the three parts mentioned above. As we learned just a few weeks back the first two digits of the serial number are on the inside of the "Germany" marked side plate, and the last two on the outside.

When I bought this from a forum member, it was my intention to remove the navy barrel and rear sight and return it to a 4" shooter and sell it, using the sight and barrel for Navy projects at hand.

But, the piece is in nice shape and illustrates very well the roaring '20s days of luger sales out of the Weimar Republic to the US.

It has earned a place in the safe after its 98 years of life since 1918, and likely 80+ years in its current configuration.

Enjoy the pictures