I find Imperial Lugers fascinating, and while I'm no expert in this area, I hope you enjoy this overview of one of my pieces.
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 - my thanks to Mr. Wood for clarifying this) 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:
Download Attachment:
a1.jpg
63.46KB
Right Side:
Download Attachment: a2.jpg
99.43KB
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):
Download Attachment: a3.jpg
21.15KB
After that, the barrel land gauge was applied:
Download Attachment: a4.jpg
59.04KB
A picture of the serial number and Military Serialization as it was applied to receiver and the take-down:
Download Attachment: a5.jpg
146.65KB
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":
Download Attachment: a6.jpg
29.63KB
A three-quarter view of the military serialization:
Download Attachment: a7.jpg
41.4KB
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":
Download Attachment: b9.jpg
68.29KB
Rear Frame well. Notice the machining tell-tale marks which differ from other manufacturers:
Download Attachment: b10.jpg
89.22KB
The hold open. ( Edited with Ron Wood's assistance) 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:
Download Attachment: b11.jpg
85.83KB
Serailzation of the trigger can be seen with the sideplate removed:
Download Attachment: b12.jpg
109.2KB
The interior of the sideplate. Notice the rougher machining marks.
Download Attachment: b13.jpg
90.89KB
The safety bar as serialized with the last two digits of the serial number digits. This is common:
Download Attachment: b14.jpg
10.51KB
The rear of the frame, GESICHERT and thumb safety:
Download Attachment: b15.jpg
79.42KB
On top of the Thumb Safety, please note the 1mm correct military serialization:
Download Attachment: b16.jpg
57.19KB
Lower down the frame, note the correct relief of the trigger guard as a shallow "V":
Download Attachment: b17.jpg
31.8KB
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:
Download Attachment: b18.jpg
143.6KB
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:
Download Attachment: b19.jpg
141.49KB
With the Right Grip off, notice again, the stamps:
Download Attachment: b20.jpg
176.33KB
The inside RIGHT GRIP PANEL - with the Military serialization of the last 2 digits of the specimens serial number:
Download Attachment: b21.jpg
94.28KB
Top End Detail
The top end:
Download Attachment: c18.jpg
47.74KB
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:
Download Attachment: c24.jpg
83.44KB
Detail of the barrel witness mark, barrel gauge and military serialization on the barrel itself:
Download Attachment: c25.jpg
71.78KB
Forward Toggle Link and extractor serialization:
Download Attachment: c19.jpg
93.86KB
The DWM Logo on the center link:
Download Attachment: c20.jpg
48.83KB
And the detail of the underside of the link:
Download Attachment: c21.jpg
138.43KB
Rear Sight fly-cut and military serialization of the rear link:
Download Attachment: c22.jpg
37.35KB
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:
Download Attachment: c23.jpg
75.48KB
Forward Breechblock. Notice the Army Acceptance Stamp on the forward high part of this part:
Download Attachment: c32.jpg
162.06KB
The extractor properly marked "GELADEN" (LOADED):
Download Attachment: c33.jpg
38.3KB
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):
Download Attachment: c34.jpg
47.12KB
Front Sight base and blade detail (notice the "N" on the forward of the base, second picture):
Download Attachment: c35.jpg
36.08KB
Download Attachment: c36.jpg
10.93KB
Correct wood base magazine detail:
Download Attachment: d41.jpg
49.9KB
Download Attachment: d46.jpg
121.07KB
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 - my thanks to Mr. Wood for clarifying this) 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:
Download Attachment:
a1.jpg63.46KB
Right Side:
Download Attachment:
a2.jpg99.43KB
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):
Download Attachment:
a3.jpg21.15KB
After that, the barrel land gauge was applied:
Download Attachment:
a4.jpg59.04KB
A picture of the serial number and Military Serialization as it was applied to receiver and the take-down:
Download Attachment:
a5.jpg146.65KB
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":
Download Attachment:
a6.jpg29.63KB
A three-quarter view of the military serialization:
Download Attachment:
a7.jpg41.4KB
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":
Download Attachment:
b9.jpg68.29KB
Rear Frame well. Notice the machining tell-tale marks which differ from other manufacturers:
Download Attachment:
b10.jpg89.22KB
The hold open. ( Edited with Ron Wood's assistance) 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:
Download Attachment:
b11.jpg85.83KB
Serailzation of the trigger can be seen with the sideplate removed:
Download Attachment:
b12.jpg109.2KB
The interior of the sideplate. Notice the rougher machining marks.
Download Attachment:
b13.jpg90.89KB
The safety bar as serialized with the last two digits of the serial number digits. This is common:
Download Attachment:
b14.jpg10.51KB
The rear of the frame, GESICHERT and thumb safety:
Download Attachment:
b15.jpg79.42KB
On top of the Thumb Safety, please note the 1mm correct military serialization:
Download Attachment:
b16.jpg57.19KB
Lower down the frame, note the correct relief of the trigger guard as a shallow "V":
Download Attachment:
b17.jpg31.8KB
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:
Download Attachment:
b18.jpg143.6KB
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:
Download Attachment:
b19.jpg141.49KB
With the Right Grip off, notice again, the stamps:
Download Attachment:
b20.jpg176.33KB
The inside RIGHT GRIP PANEL - with the Military serialization of the last 2 digits of the specimens serial number:
Download Attachment:
b21.jpg94.28KB
Top End Detail
The top end:
Download Attachment:
c18.jpg47.74KB
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:
Download Attachment:
c24.jpg83.44KB
Detail of the barrel witness mark, barrel gauge and military serialization on the barrel itself:
Download Attachment:
c25.jpg71.78KB
Forward Toggle Link and extractor serialization:
Download Attachment:
c19.jpg93.86KB
The DWM Logo on the center link:
Download Attachment:
c20.jpg48.83KB
And the detail of the underside of the link:
Download Attachment:
c21.jpg138.43KB
Rear Sight fly-cut and military serialization of the rear link:
Download Attachment:
c22.jpg37.35KB
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:
Download Attachment:
c23.jpg75.48KB
Forward Breechblock. Notice the Army Acceptance Stamp on the forward high part of this part:
Download Attachment:
c32.jpg162.06KB
The extractor properly marked "GELADEN" (LOADED):
Download Attachment:
c33.jpg38.3KB
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):
Download Attachment:
c34.jpg47.12KB
Front Sight base and blade detail (notice the "N" on the forward of the base, second picture):
Download Attachment:
c35.jpg36.08KB
Download Attachment:
c36.jpg10.93KB
Correct wood base magazine detail:
Download Attachment:
d41.jpg49.9KB
Download Attachment:
d46.jpg121.07KB
then the replies are straight to you.
