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I recently traded on of my Japanese rifles for this nice 1917 LP 08.
This example shows the variety with adjustable or fine tune rear sight and fixed front sight, along with the "9" burned into the grips and filled with matte red paint. Pistol is matching except for the magazine and came with a great 1916 dated holster, cleaning rod, tool , and numbered but mismatched stock. Straps missing to the rig, so I'll have to rectify that. The reason for the Red 9 on the grips is a bit of a mystery or puzzle; as all LP 08s were in 9mm - why the need for the highly visible 9 in the grip! ![]() In a few days I will be able to do a comparison with a similar "black 9" gripped LP 08- as I "won" one in the recent RIA auction.
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03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie |
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Don, the "9" that is found on some 1917 grips is believed to be due to bureaucratic confusion with a touch of zeal. At the same time the 9mm C96 was being delivered to the front it was directed that every infantry company be issued ten LP08s. Due to the confusion caused by the new calibre C96, a follow-up order went out instructing units to mark the grips of the new 9mm pistols.
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George
Thanks quite interesting I didn't know it, I've learnt something new. Best.
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Don, the 9s appear to be field-applied which is consistent with George's comments.
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Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com |
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![]() Yes, one of around 20 known as "for education" rifles made in Jinsen when they were gearing up to produce the T 38. This one is like new and serial number 7. They were used for training workers while establishing the new production line in Jinsen(Inchon).
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03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie |
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Thanks George and Don,
I included the close up of the red 9 to show the aged, dirty, flat red paint-which is likely original. I have seen a number of Mauser Red 9s that have been re-painted with shiny red enamel, and show no age.
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03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie |
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Their were 06 Lugers in 30 cal so this may have added to the bureaucratic confusion even though they were commercial Lugers.
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True; but by 1917 there here hundreds of thousands of 9mm lugers in the hands of the military, they were not marked with a "9". So I don't think that situation had anything to do with the "9"s on the artilleries. JMHO.
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03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie |
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Here is an interesting variant in the font of the "red nine".
https://www.gunsamerica.com//9725544...LUGER.htm?wl=1 dju |
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Don, I agree that the field applied "Red 9s" were applied in error to LPO8s, This was done in confusion with the order to apply them to the first 60K 9mm brooms that were shipped to the troops with standard unmarked C96 grips in 1916. TH
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I was interested in this piece, until I called and found the grips were not numbered to the pistol.
Interesting nines for sure.
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03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie |
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I have always agreed with the over enthusiastic beureucratic theory.
On fine day or days some well meaning ordnance guy got carried away with his enthusiasm. |
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