Make: DWM

Model: 1902 Luger Carbine

Serial Number: 23629

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1903

Caliber: .30 Luger

Action Type: Short-Recoil Toggle-Link Semi-Automatic Pistol Carbine

Barrel Length: 11 3/4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a four-position “U”-notch which slides in a banded base fixed to the rear of the barrel. There is no rear sight on the rear toggle link.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. A hanger on the front of the frame accepts the wedge-secured checkered walnut forend which has a schnabel tip and a sling swivel. The buttstock is checkered walnut with a straight grip, straight comb, serrated horn buttplate and a sling swivel in the belly. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered small nicks and scratches. There are a few spots of compressed checkers. The forend has similar light wear. The buttstock also has similar light wear with a few more notable marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. The LOP measures 16 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with one nick at the right edge near the heel and well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue and Straw

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8-9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are a few light nicks and scratches. Strawed parts retain generally strong finish with some thinning and wear on controls. Most of the balance is in scattered minor oxidation, primarily on the barrel. There is light wear on the barrel covered by the forend from disassembly/assembly. There is wear on the mounting lug at the bottom of the backstrap. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol-carbine is in Very Good-Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol-carbine. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol-carbine comes with a single 8-round wood floorplate magazine.

Our Assessment: Designed by Georg Johann Luger, a sales representative for DWM, Luger decided to rework the Borchardt C93 and eventually secured a contract for his new pistol with the Swiss Army which dubbed it the model 1900. The Pistole 1904, chambered for 9mm cartridges, was adopted by the Imperial German Navy, and the pistol was then generally referred to as the Luger. The later P08 would become one of the most iconic weapons of the 20th century. Luger’s pistol would continue to serve the German military through WWII.

In addition to their military sales, DWM also marketed the pistol commercially with a number of variations. This is one of the most desirable examples for collectors, a Model 1902 Luger Carbine. Distinctive features include the dished toggle knobs, spring-clip on the right toggle knob, grip safety, leaf mainspring and a portion of the safety panel left in the white to designate when the pistol is on safe. Better still, the ATF has designated this model as exempt from NFA short barrel rifle restrictions due to its C&R status and this gorgeous example does indeed have a matching original stock! In fact all of its numbered parts are matching. This is a must-have for the dedicated Luger collector and these don’t come available very often. It should also still prove to be a fun shooter for the lucky winner. Please see our photos and good luck!