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1917 LP08, SERIAL NUMBER 1096a, DETAILS AND WAR HISTORY.
1917 DWM LP08 Lugers (often called artillery) are reported in the 248 to 4884w serial range. P08 models are interspersed in the same serial range as LP08's during 1917. About 90,000 1917 dated LP08's were manufactured. The front and rear sight were initially fine tuned. Later in production the fine tuned feature was discontinued on the front sight and then on the rear sight. Less than 1 percent were unit marked.
A directive dated August 11, 1917 ordered each infantry company on the Western Front to be armed with 10 Long P08's for attack purposes (Gortz, 1994). A similar directive ordered the arming of the Sturmbattilone with Long P08's with 6 extra magazines each (Schad, 1993). This special arming for assault troops would require most of the 1917 Long P08 production (Imperial Lugers, page xxv).
Of 800 reported unit marked Imperial Lugers 92 are LP08's and 68 of these are dated 1917. Of these 68, 53 are marked to infantry regiments, 5 to infantry regiment machine gun companies, 6 to infantry regiment minenwerfer companies and 4 to various other units.
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1917LP08MW721.jpg
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Figure 1. Left slant view of 1917 DWM LP08, serial number 1096a. The serial number placement is exposed (military style).
Download Attachment:
1917LP08MW722.jpg
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Figure 2. Right side 1917 DWM LP08, serial number 1096a. These all have a stock lug and hold open.
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1917LP08MW723.jpg
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Figure 3. Top of 1917 DWM LP08, serial number 1096a..
Jan C Still
Site Owner - Operator
1917 DWM LP08 Lugers (often called artillery) are reported in the 248 to 4884w serial range. P08 models are interspersed in the same serial range as LP08's during 1917. About 90,000 1917 dated LP08's were manufactured. The front and rear sight were initially fine tuned. Later in production the fine tuned feature was discontinued on the front sight and then on the rear sight. Less than 1 percent were unit marked.
A directive dated August 11, 1917 ordered each infantry company on the Western Front to be armed with 10 Long P08's for attack purposes (Gortz, 1994). A similar directive ordered the arming of the Sturmbattilone with Long P08's with 6 extra magazines each (Schad, 1993). This special arming for assault troops would require most of the 1917 Long P08 production (Imperial Lugers, page xxv).
Of 800 reported unit marked Imperial Lugers 92 are LP08's and 68 of these are dated 1917. Of these 68, 53 are marked to infantry regiments, 5 to infantry regiment machine gun companies, 6 to infantry regiment minenwerfer companies and 4 to various other units.
Download Attachment:

23.2KB
Figure 1. Left slant view of 1917 DWM LP08, serial number 1096a. The serial number placement is exposed (military style).
Download Attachment:

26.36KB
Figure 2. Right side 1917 DWM LP08, serial number 1096a. These all have a stock lug and hold open.
Download Attachment:

13.02KB
Figure 3. Top of 1917 DWM LP08, serial number 1096a..
Jan C Still
Site Owner - Operator