Make: Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM)
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 4119b
Year of Manufacture: 1914-1918
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum (9x19mm Luger)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Short-Recoil Toggle-Locked Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: Most numbered parts are matching or force-matched apart from the bolt stop which is non-matching. Both grip panels are marked "19" on the inside. The front strap is marked "Pw.B.". The front of the frame is marked "4119 / b". The left side of the receiver is marked "4119". The right side of the receiver is marked with three E/ArA4. The underside of the barrel is marked "4119 / b / 8,84". The front toggle is marked "DWM", the bolt E/ArA4.
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a base integral to the muzzle. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the rear toggle.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. The grips have light handling wear with some discoloration at edges. The checkering is well defined. There are no exterior cracks, but each panel has an interior crack at the bottom edge by its screw. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Strawed
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts are likely force-matched.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is defined. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There is operational wear. There are some light nicks and scratches. There is scattered light erosion under the finish. Some areas have gone to a light patina. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear. Overall, the pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This pistol comes with one Haenel alloy-floorplate magazine, 1943 dated Schambach flap-holster with Luger tool, post-war brass 1889-1945 German Chancellor commemorative coin, reproduction 31.3g silver bullion bar (we have confirmed the bar's weight, but have not performed any chemical tests to confirm silver content), Kennkarte (identification) for a master baker named Karl Bock dated 20 June, 1945 and an Arbeitsbuch (work record/internal passport) for a Viktoria Haselberger who appears to have been an employee of the Hotel Goldene Spinne in Vienna from 1933-1948.
Our Assessment: The Luger P.08 pistol is one of the most iconic military sidearms of the twentieth century, originally designed by Georg Luger and widely issued during the First World War. Manufactured by DWM, these pistols became closely associated with Imperial German service and continued in use during the interwar period. Following the Treaty of Versailles, many Lugers were reworked and marked for police use, including Bavarian police units. The 1920 property stamp and police markings such as "Pw.B." reflect this transition into Weimar era service. The Polizeiwehr Bayern was determined to be a military organization and was reorganized into the Bayerische Landespolizei by 1922. Not having the police marking struck-out, this pistol likely left service before the Pw.B. was officially reorganized.
The pistol itself shows signs of refurbishment, as is common for Weimar-era Lugers, and its police markings make it an interesting find for collectors. The additional artifacts included are also neat, with WWII-era documents for regular German citizens, a WWII-era holster, and even what appears to be a Weimar-era silver bullion bar. Please see our high definition photos and good luck on your bids!
