OLD SPEC WW1 1916 9mm Artillery LP-08 D.W.M. Luger Dated 1916 with original holster. Strips Cocks and Dry Fires. Excellent condition considering the age, complete with an original magazine and holster also in excellent condition. 
 
-Self Loading Pistol by D.W.M-Serial number: 3912 a-9mm Cal, 8″ Barrel
-Marked on top of the toggle: “D.W.M.”, “12” (Consistent with DWM Production 1900-1922)-Marked on top of the chamber: “1916” (Consistent with -DWM/Erfurt Model 1914 – German Military ContractDated 1914-1918)-Marked underneath the barrel: “3912 a, 8,82” and under the receiver: “3912 a” (8,82- gauge marking)-Marked on the LHS: Faded serial number but the “3” is discernable. Marked on the plate “12”-Marked on RHS: Military Receiver Proofs (various letters consistent with DWM c.1914 models-Marked on Safety: “GESICHERT” (Consistent with 1908 Type Safety Marking Most models made after 1908)
 
This is a very rare find – a dated 1916 German Artillery Luger by DWM, Erfurt production. This 8-shot pistol has Imperial military acceptance marks, serial number placement is in the military “exposed” style with matching numbers (apart from the mag) to frame, barrel and receiver (3912a), with the last two digits (12) located on the smaller parts. Military Lugers were numbered 1-10000 and then 1a-10000a, 1b-1000b, and so on. The magazine is the correct great war wood base type. Original grips and clear military markings including Erfurt acceptance proof on the side of the toggle/breech slide.
 
Historical Background 
 
Lange Pistole 08 – Artillery LugerThe adoption of the Lange Pistole 08 or LP 08, aka the “Artillery Luger”, was authorised by the Kaiser on the 2 July 1913. This P08 variation was equipped with a 200 mm (7.9 in) barrel, an 8-position tangent rear sight (calibrated to 800 meters (870 yd)) and a board-type shoulder stock with an attached leather holster. In the event of close combat, the pistol was intended to be used as a carbine with the shoulder stock attached to a lug mounted on the heel of the pistol frame.
 
When set for long range use the rear sight element visibly moves to the left to compensate for spin drift. While initially intended for use by German artillery units who could not be encumbered by the long and heavy K.98 rifle, the LP 08 was also used by Aviation units (prior to equipping aircraft with machine guns) as well as the infantry, primarily on the Western front during World War I. Stoßtruppen (stormtrooper infantry) units frequently employed the Artillery Luger equipped with a new large magazine, the 32-round Trommelmagazin or ‘snail’ magazine.
 
Production of the LP 08 ended in 1918 with the end of the war. By that time, German troops had begun using the newly developed MP 18 submachine gun in place of the LP 08 for their stormtroop assault companies. However, by this time enough LP 08 barrels had been manufactured and stockpiled to fill LP 08 export orders into the 1930s.