Markings on a 1911 DWM

Claven2 · 02-24-2005, 12:07 PM

Shortly before WW1 started, all P08 Lugers without hold opens were ordered upgraded to the hold open standard. Due to delays in Bavaria trying to get permission to obtain tooling and do the conversion in Bavaria, and due to the entire production volume of DWM and Erfurt being taxed to supply the Army, many of the Bavarian Lugers did not get upgraded before the start of hostilities, while most Lugers in other parts of Germany did undergo conversion.

Today, finding Lugers that don't even have the hold open milling is an uncommon occurence. I don't know if it's rare, exactly, but certainly it's outside the norm. Most often these hold-opnless Lugers turn out to have Bavarian ties.

02-24-2005, 12:07 PM	#7
Claven2 User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shortly before WW1 started, all P08 Lugers without hold opens were ordered upgraded to the hold open standard. Due to delays in Bavaria trying to get permission to obtain tooling and do the conversion in Bavaria, and due to the entire production volume of DWM and Erfurt being taxed to supply the Army, many of the Bavarian Lugers did not get upgraded before the start of hostilities, while most Lugers in other parts of Germany did undergo conversion. Today, finding Lugers that don't even have the hold open milling is an uncommon occurence. I don't know if it's rare, exactly, but certainly it's outside the norm. Most often these hold-opnless Lugers turn out to have Bavarian ties.