Please be sure to read the Mechanics section for safety information.

Make: DWM

Model: Custom 1914 Naval Luger

Serial Number: 2795

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1914-1917, we do not know when the pistol was customized.

Caliber: 9mm Parabellum

Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 6”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base fixed to a boss at the muzzle. The rear sight is a two-position "V"-notch assembly at the back of the rear toggle link. There is a button on the right of the notch assembly which allows the sight to be moved forward or rear to the 100 or 200 yard position, respectively.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as refinished and/or replaced.

Type of Finish: Blue & Strawed

Finish Originality: Refinished. Several parts are non-matching and we believe the barrel is a custom replacement.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout with a little muting on the strawed controls. There is a little minor erosion under the finish with more notable erosion under the finish on the frame where it is covered by the grips. There are tool marks under the finish on the rear face of the rear toggle. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The original markings range from clear to worn and incomplete, the engraving is crisp. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition as customized (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The sear/trigger/safety assembly are improperly fit/installed. When cocked, if the safety is engaged and the trigger pressed, the pistol will fire when the safety is disengaged. This should be addressed prior to loading or firing this pistol. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single wood-floorplate magazine. The bottom of the floorplate is cracked where the right grasping knob meets the body.

Our Assessment: The Luger (Pistole Parabellum or P-08) is perhaps the most aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing of all autoloading centerfire pistols. It is also one of the strongest, most accurate and most recognizable service pistols ever made. Georg Luger developed his famous pistol in 1898-1899 (starting with the Borchardt/Luger transitional pistol). The Luger is, essentially, a much improved Borchardt type pistol, which was itself based on the toggle action concept used by Sir Hiram Maxim in the world’s first practical machine gun.

This is a customized Luger with a Model 1914 Imperial Navy rear toggle and barrel extension. It has been assembled with an assortment of non-matching parts and we suspect the barrel is a custom replacement. The pistol was then decorated with quite skillful scroll and border engraving with the frontstrap inscribed "Kenneth K. Leithold" in Gothic script. There is an issue with the safety/sear assembly that needs to be fixed before loading or firing. As-is it will make an eye-catching display in a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!