1913 Luger

[JERSEY 34]

I have just picked up this lovely clean 1913 DWM Luger. It is all matching numbers...except for the magazine. It was "liberated" from a German Officer in 1945, and yet appears to have no major wear. Also it has no stock lug to the backstrap. I know very little about such early Lugers so if you spot anything of significance about this one please let me know. I don't intent on using this one on the range as its just too nice. What you see in the pictures is as I got it. I have not cleaned ot oiled it as yet.
I really like this one, I hope you do too.
All the best,
D.

[HistoryMan]

What a beauty D !!!

[HARRY THE MOLE]

That's a nice pistol. Does it have the hold-open catch? It wasn't present on the early models, but I can't remember what year they started using it.

[greatwhite]

Beautiful.

[JERSEY 34]

Hi HARRY THE MOLE,
Yes, this one has the hold open fitted.
D

[guns ltd]

Very nice looking luger.
1913 was a transitional period for lugers. Some had stock lugs and some did not. Some were re-worked for the hold open devise and some were not. I am just speculating here as to the history of your luger. I would bet it was a personal firearm of an officer from the first WWI and was pasted down to a son during the Second World War. Reason is because it is in such good shape. The owner took care of it. Just my thoughts…….


John

[JERSEY 34]

Hi John,
I was thinking along those lines myself. Its not a gun that was used here in Jersey during the German Occupation, but was brought over after the war by a chap who flew in from Paris with it in his suitcase to give to a friend in Jersey. It has never been fired since the day it was liberated in 1945 and not sure if it was fired much before that.
D

[HistoryMan]

Do you collect Lugers D ?

Cheers

[habicht]

Most officer private purchase P08s were either 1908 or 1914 9mm commercial models. This 1913 with the hold open added was most likely an issue pistol to a Prussian, Saxon or Baden unit. Bavarian and Wurttemberg issue pistols were never retrofitted with hold-opens.

[JERSEY 34]

Hi HistoryMan,
I have one or two in my collection, they are a beautiful looking piece of art.
D