Help Identifying 1918mfg P08 Luger

VenaticOppidan · 07-10-2023, 03:31 PM

Hey All!

I recently had a friend broach the subject of selling me a Luger that’s been a family heirloom. He’s not a collector or a gun guy, and is located out of state. These are the pics he sent me so far. I can get any other pics requested to help with ID and or potential value. I’ve just started collecting old war pistols and rifles, and don’t have a Luger yet.

Based on the markings, i think it looks like a 1914 Artillery mfg in 1918. The Receiver acceptance mark appears to be TSS, to me, the grips are smooth, not checkered, and we’ve both been looking at identification guides, he says he can’t find a Breech lock proof that matches.

I was using this guide, and sent it to him, as well as he has done some of his own googling.

https://www.selfdefensefund.com/wp-c...7/09/Luger.pdf

Let me know if there are any different pics/info i can get from him that would help. Externally s/n appear to match, i can have him send pics of the magazine. He is not a gun person, only handgun he has, and doesn’t even have ammo for it. He has no info other than a family member supposedly brought it home as a war trophy. No letter, no other documentation.

I don’t know if he would be the best person to strip it. Only way I’ll prob get it in my hands is if i buy it, as he’s 12hrs away.

Any help is appreciated!

Doubs · 07-10-2023, 05:17 PM

Welcome to the forum. It's a 1918 DWM Artillery Luger, also known as an LP-08. DWM is the abbreviation for "Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken" or German Weapons and Munitions Manufacturer. LP-08 stands for "Lang Pistole 1908" or Long Pistol, model 1908.

The LP-08 was made by only two manufacturers: Erfurt Royal Rifle Factory and DWM. Erfurt made them only one year: 1914. DWM made the LP-08 from 1914 through 1918.

The pictured Luger has been refinished. Oddly enough it has the fine tune front sight which was eliminated for the most part in 1917 but does show up on later LP-08 pistols occasionally. The fine tune rear sight was also dropped later in 1917 and the one pictured has the later rear sight that is not fine tunable.

Really can't tell you much more without better pictures. Sharp, detailed pictures of all markings would help.

VenaticOppidan · 07-10-2023, 06:13 PM

Thank you very much for the information and reply! I’ll see what other pics i can get rustled up.

Mac Cat · 07-10-2023, 06:57 PM

It's a 9mm, for sure.
I have a 1917 LP.08 and it has "T T S" acceptance and firing proof stamps, too.

Sometimes lugers have "bring back papers', which were issued by the Army for GI's to bring the guns back to the USA. You may also be able to figure out when it was refinished and who did it. It's important to ask.

Since the gun has been refinished, it doesn't have collector value, so you can feel comfortable shooting it. Just plan to get a new magazine. I have shot mine a few times and it was a hoot.

gunnertwo · 07-10-2023, 08:17 PM

I will add to the other posts by saying the value is greatly reduced due to the refinishing.

G2

VenaticOppidan · 07-10-2023, 10:31 PM

[QUOTE=Mac Cat;347720]very cool.

I asked about bring back papers, he said he has no other documentation or knows anything about the gun other than what he was told, but I’ll query again. I’ll ask him for pics of the mag as well.

I’m new to this market, assuming it’s matching sn, and the gun has been refinished, what would be a far price for me to offer?

reiver · 07-10-2023, 11:39 PM

What is it worth to you?

Being refinished puts it in the shooter category so matching numbers do not mean a great deal.

Pistol collectors of older pieces want them in as original condition as can be had, matching and undisturbed. If not so they are not 'collectable' in the monetary sense.

When that is no longer the case it is an offer/counter offer deal... I'd need more pics to give you a ball park and need to know that it is shootable/operates and the condition of the bore.

VenaticOppidan · 07-11-2023, 06:17 AM

That’s what i was kind of gathering regarding value. I’ll request some more pics today. Besides the magazine, any other specific areas/proofs that will be helpful?

VenaticOppidan · 07-11-2023, 06:21 AM

I would rather have an original finished collectors piece, at the same time, if i could pick up an “original” artillery at a fair price that can be handled and shot, and as my first liger, wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing

Bronson33 · 07-11-2023, 06:26 AM

$1300-$1800 in my opinion for a shooter grade artillery

reiver · 07-11-2023, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VenaticOppidan

I would rather have an original finished collectors piece, at the same time, if i could pick up an “original” artillery at a fair price that can be handled and shot, and as my first liger, wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing

I shoot my original all matching L PO8, inc mag. I removed those serial numbered parts that could be broken and replaced them with other donor parts.
Grips, FPin, ejector and hold open latch. Secure the ramp sight and go shooting. Very accurate 1917 piece.
I shoot everything I own.

DonVoigt · 07-17-2023, 09:10 AM

I think $1200 would be a max. price for me.
I would suggest spending more and getting one in original finish, even if the finish is worn. JMHO.

VenaticOppidan · 07-28-2023, 06:48 AM

Thanks guys. Really appreciate it. Waiting on some
More pics of the pistol I’ll post when i receive.

07-10-2023, 03:31 PM	#1
VenaticOppidan User Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Help Identifying 1918mfg P08 Luger Hey All! I recently had a friend broach the subject of selling me a Luger that’s been a family heirloom. He’s not a collector or a gun guy, and is located out of state. These are the pics he sent me so far. I can get any other pics requested to help with ID and or potential value. I’ve just started collecting old war pistols and rifles, and don’t have a Luger yet. Based on the markings, i think it looks like a 1914 Artillery mfg in 1918. The Receiver acceptance mark appears to be TSS, to me, the grips are smooth, not checkered, and we’ve both been looking at identification guides, he says he can’t find a Breech lock proof that matches. I was using this guide, and sent it to him, as well as he has done some of his own googling. https://www.selfdefensefund.com/wp-c...7/09/Luger.pdf Let me know if there are any different pics/info i can get from him that would help. Externally s/n appear to match, i can have him send pics of the magazine. He is not a gun person, only handgun he has, and doesn’t even have ammo for it. He has no info other than a family member supposedly brought it home as a war trophy. No letter, no other documentation. I don’t know if he would be the best person to strip it. Only way I’ll prob get it in my hands is if i buy it, as he’s 12hrs away. Any help is appreciated! Attached Thumbnails

07-10-2023, 06:57 PM	#4
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 670 Thanks: 2,009 Thanked 542 Times in 292 Posts	It's a 9mm, for sure. I have a 1917 LP.08 and it has "T T S" acceptance and firing proof stamps, too. Sometimes lugers have "bring back papers', which were issued by the Army for GI's to bring the guns back to the USA. You may also be able to figure out when it was refinished and who did it. It's important to ask. Since the gun has been refinished, it doesn't have collector value, so you can feel comfortable shooting it. Just plan to get a new magazine. I have shot mine a few times and it was a hoot. Attached Thumbnails

07-17-2023, 09:10 AM	#12
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	I think $1200 would be a max. price for me. I would suggest spending more and getting one in original finish, even if the finish is worn. JMHO. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-10-2023, 05:17 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 769 Thanked 1,611 Times in 525 Posts	Welcome to the forum. It's a 1918 DWM Artillery Luger, also known as an LP-08. DWM is the abbreviation for "Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken" or German Weapons and Munitions Manufacturer. LP-08 stands for "Lang Pistole 1908" or Long Pistol, model 1908. The LP-08 was made by only two manufacturers: Erfurt Royal Rifle Factory and DWM. Erfurt made them only one year: 1914. DWM made the LP-08 from 1914 through 1918. The pictured Luger has been refinished. Oddly enough it has the fine tune front sight which was eliminated for the most part in 1917 but does show up on later LP-08 pistols occasionally. The fine tune rear sight was also dropped later in 1917 and the one pictured has the later rear sight that is not fine tunable. Really can't tell you much more without better pictures. Sharp, detailed pictures of all markings would help.

07-10-2023, 06:13 PM	#3
VenaticOppidan User Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you very much for the information and reply! I’ll see what other pics i can get rustled up.

07-10-2023, 08:17 PM	#5
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 605 Thanks: 803 Thanked 909 Times in 351 Posts	I will add to the other posts by saying the value is greatly reduced due to the refinishing. G2

07-10-2023, 10:31 PM	#6
VenaticOppidan User Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	[QUOTE=Mac Cat;347720]very cool. I asked about bring back papers, he said he has no other documentation or knows anything about the gun other than what he was told, but I’ll query again. I’ll ask him for pics of the mag as well. I’m new to this market, assuming it’s matching sn, and the gun has been refinished, what would be a far price for me to offer?

07-10-2023, 11:39 PM	#7
reiver User Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 132 Thanks: 81 Thanked 149 Times in 63 Posts	What is it worth to you? Being refinished puts it in the shooter category so matching numbers do not mean a great deal. Pistol collectors of older pieces want them in as original condition as can be had, matching and undisturbed. If not so they are not 'collectable' in the monetary sense. When that is no longer the case it is an offer/counter offer deal... I'd need more pics to give you a ball park and need to know that it is shootable/operates and the condition of the bore.

07-11-2023, 06:17 AM	#8
VenaticOppidan User Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	That’s what i was kind of gathering regarding value. I’ll request some more pics today. Besides the magazine, any other specific areas/proofs that will be helpful?

07-11-2023, 06:21 AM	#9
VenaticOppidan User Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	I would rather have an original finished collectors piece, at the same time, if i could pick up an “original” artillery at a fair price that can be handled and shot, and as my first liger, wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing

07-11-2023, 06:26 AM	#10
Bronson33 User Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	$1300-$1800 in my opinion for a shooter grade artillery

07-28-2023, 06:48 AM	#13
VenaticOppidan User Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks guys. Really appreciate it. Waiting on some More pics of the pistol I’ll post when i receive.