1916 DWM Military

[John D.]

Imperial Lugers are fascinating. Given the magnitude of the conflict during the first World War, the Luger under went a number of significant and substantial changes even after it was accepted as the "P.08" by the military. Some of these changes included the addition of the "lug" (machined into the frame ), the addition of the "hold-open" (which was dropped in the original Military contract - See Mr. Wood's comment later in this thread) and in 1916, as in this specimen, the inclusion of the relieved sear bar. For this update specifically, it allowed the Luger's toggle to be cycled by hand, while the safety was engaged. Previous to this specific modification (transition year - 1916), the safety bar, as it was held against the sear bar, would prevent the toggle/action from being cycled while engaged.

I would like to take a minute to credit Mr. Jan Still excellent published works (Imperial Lugers), and other research/text/pictures contained in text offered by Mr. Datig, Mr. Kenyon and Mr. Jones as being the source for much of the information presented in this review.

Speciman: 1916 DWM Military - Serial Number: 2225i

Overall condition 85%+ Blue with 10% straw. No apparent rust, one slight pitting area 2mm x 2mm on left/top barrel. Bore - excellent. Original finish.

According to Mr. Still (PP13 Imperial Lugers), approximately 140,000 DWM Lugers were produced during 1916. Most saw hard use during the next years, and this specimen was obviously a field piece. Not Unit Marked - it is a representative example of military production during wartime years. To note, most Military Marked Lugers (especially Erfurt manufactured) are some of the most richly proofed/stamped Lugers known to exist.

Showing the overall grey/blue finish, this specimen is typical of the DWM Wartime production.
Left Side:



Right Side:



The proofs/acceptance stamps as they were applied during production. According to Still (PP 22, footnote 5 - Imperial Lugers) they are in order (left to right and I paraphrased Mr. Still's footnote): 1St Inspection (Chamber hardened, Chamber Date Applied); 2nd Inspection (serial Number applied and ready for test fire); 3rd Proof (the piece survived test firing at 20% over-charge of military specified ammunition); Acceptance (the Luger passed final fit/finish and inspection):



After that, the barrel land gauge was applied:



A picture of the serial number and Military Serialization as it was applied to receiver and the take-down:



And the Serial Number of the Luger as it appears on the frame front. Note the Luger Serial Number is correct with the letter suffix - and in this case "i":



A three-quarter view of the military serialization:



Frame Overview
The frame will be discussed by looking at certain sections.
First is the front frame well. You will note the following - "1", "N", "P", "6" and what appears to be an "X":

[John D.]

Continued...

Rear Frame well. Notice the machining tell-tale marks which differ from other manufacturers:



The hold open. ( Edited per Ron Wood's excellent comment below) The hold open was re-introduced in 1912, as the original Miliary contract for the P 08 did not include this feature. This hold open is military serialized:



Serailzation of the trigger can be seen with the sideplate removed:



The interior of the sideplate. Notice the rougher machining marks.



The safety bar as serialized with the last two digits of the serial number digits. This is common:



The rear of the frame, GESICHERT and thumb safety:



On top of the Thumb Safety, please note the 1mm correct military serialization:



Lower down the frame, note the correct relief of the trigger guard as a shallow "V":

[John D.]

Continued...

The left detail view of the strawed MAG release and the trigger. These were typically Strawed, and given this specimens age, still shows a strong hue:



The left rear showing the Frame Lug. This LUG, according to Gibson, was in fact used during the production process, to hold the frame in place during the extensive machining process of the Luger's frame:



With the Right Grip off, notice again, the stamps:



The inside RIGHT GRIP PANEL - with the Military serialization of the last 2 digits of the specimens serial number:



Top End Detail
The top end:



Note the Army Test Proof on the barrel, forward of the receiver. This appears as a lesser encountered ERFURT style Proof (which is correct), rather then the more common DWM Proof:



Detail of the barrel witness mark, barrel gauge and military serialization on the barrel itself:



Forward Toggle Link and extractor serialization:

[John D.]

Continued...

The DWM Logo on the center link:



And the detail of the underside of the link:



Rear Sight fly-cut and military serialization of the rear link:



The Sear Bar. Previous to 1916, the "cut out" would have extended farther to the right, and engaged the safety bar to prevent the toggle's movement when engaged. This, again, was a design change during this production year:



Forward Breechblock. Notice the Army Acceptance Stamp on the forward high part of this part:



The extractor properly marked "GELADEN" (LOADED):



The firing train as it's retained in the breechblock. Notice the firing pin, which at that time, was not relieved (it does not have four areas machined out to prevent destruction):

[John D.]

Continued...

Front Sight base and blade detail (notice the "N" on the forward of the base, second picture):






Correct wood base magazine detail:






Click Here to visit this Lugerforum Gallery:
1916 DWM Photo Gallery

[Ron Wood]

Great looking Luger, John. I knew you couldn't stay away from "real" Lugers. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />

Your photo articles are a great learning tool for new collectors. Keep up the good work.

One editorial comment. The holdopen was re-instituted in 1912 after having been eliminated in the first army contracts of 1908.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

[John D.]

Hi Ron,

My thanks! As well - I still refer to your photos/article about the differences in the various styles of frames. That was outstanding!

Excellent edit regarding the hold-open. I'll edit that change into the above in a moment.

Also - don't tell anyone - but I have a few Imperial Lugers, but keep it a secret, as we don't want everyone to find out about them, creating demand - and driving up prices.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I'd still like to find "what we were discussing" while in AZ at the last meeting.... There is something about Lugers from that era - and I still don't own one - yet.....

My Best to you Ron - and my thanks for all you do...!