History of Police Safety Sear Installation

[Don M]

Eric, I agree completely with your analysis of the frame and its matching components. However, I don't believe the barrel/receiver has the same history. The receiver is definitely from a 1917 DWM LP08 but the barrel does not have a PTV/E proof stamp (I assume since there is no photo of it.) so it was not replaced by the Berlin Police Armory in 1929. The conversion of this pistol from an LP08 to a P08 probably took place in the early 1920s as was the case with many LP08s that were transferred to the police shortly after WWI. This may have been done by Simson but I cannot make out the stamps on the left side of the barrel. The serial number of the barrel would have been matched to the gun in the process.

I also don't think the barrel/receiver were substituted until sometime after WWII. They were both very heavily buffed before refinishing. To my knowledge, none of the police armories practiced this type of buffing. It is more representative of a later restoration attempt.

Why the barrel/receiver was replaced is a mystery but whoever did it knew enough to use a police Luger with a sear safety.

This has been a fun puzzle to (partially) solve. Thanks very much for posting it.