- ERFURT LUGER SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS
- ERFURT LUGER SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBER
- ERFURT LUGER SERIAL NUMBERS PLUS
There are less than 40 recorded known true 1914 DWM LP.08s on this collector list. The collectors that maintain this list believe that less than 750 pistols is more realistic. The online “Gun Boards” forum posts a 1914 DWM LP.08 (Artillery Luger) list which has an international following that is updated and maintained by collectors.
ERFURT LUGER SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS
Luger collectors have been sharing 1914 DWM LP.08 serial numbers and pistol conditions for over 25 years. Jan Still’s publication “Central Powers” lists estimated production at 750 to 1,500 pistols. Production of the model LP.08 by DWM in 1914 was very limited. This is the established military practice for many German military weapons.
ERFURT LUGER SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBER
The last two numbers of the serial number are stamped and plainly displayed on all of the pistol small parts except the pins and springs. Also stamped on the front end of the frame is the complete serial number with a letter suffix if appropriate. The complete serial number is stamped on the left side of the receiver at the barrel breech.
ERFURT LUGER SERIAL NUMBERS PLUS
Unique to the 1914 DWM LP.08 on the receiver right side are the three German Army inspection/acceptance with a Crown over Gothic S (C/S) plus the DWM Reichsadler marks (DWM Imperial Eagle German Army test proof mark).ĭWM Imperial Eagle German Army test proof marks are also on the right side of the barrel and the left side of the breech block (c:100). The 1914 DWM LP.08s have on the receiver right side three German Army inspection/acceptance marks and a proof mark. LP.08 Front Sight Fine Adjustment Screw Head.ġ914 year LP.08 Breech Marking With Rear Tangent Sight Fine Adjustment Screw Head. Note Additional Erfurt Inspector’s Mark above the first acceptance mark. LP.08 Assault Rig Completely Assembled Left Side.ġ914 Erfurt LP.08 C/Gothic Acceptance And Reichsadler Proof Marks. LP.08 Assault Rig Completely Assembled Right Side. This weapon combination was truly the forerunner of today’s submachine guns. The utilization of the T.M.08 enhanced the assault capability of the LP.08 in service by the Storm Troopers. The official title for the drum magazine is Trommelmagazin 08 (T.M.08).Ī completely assembled German Army LP.08 rig included the pistol, a holster, a board shoulder stock, a two magazine pouch, a shoulder carry sling and a 32 round snail drum magazine. Because of the magazine shape it became known as the snail drum magazine. The drum magazine has a 32 round capacity. To enhance the firepower capability of the LP.08 a large capacity drum magazine was developed and supplied to the German military in approximately 1915. Collectors refer to the LP.08 as the Artillery Model Luger. The LP.08 was supplied to the Germany Army from 1914 until 1918. With later years of LP.08 production beech wood was used for the grips. Checkered walnut wood was utilized for the grips on the early manufactured P.08. The grip screws and pins were heat treated to a bright blue color. Many of the pistol small parts were heat colored to straw (dark gold). The LP.08 finish for the pistol large components was a deep blue rust bluing. The rear grip strap lug was for attaching a shoulder stock. The front and rear sights incorporated spanner adjusted fine adjustment screws for optimizing the pistol accuracy. The adopted LP.08 features include the 200mm (8 inch) barrel in 9mm Parabellum, fixed front sight and adjustable tangent rear sight, an eight (8) round capacity magazine, a hold open device and a stock lug on the rear grip strap. As World War I (WWI) progressed the LP.08 was issued to the Sturmbataillone (Storm Troopers) for assault purposes (c:99).
The LP.08 was initially intended for arming artillery men, airmen and fortifications. In 1913 the armies of Prussia, Saxony, Wurttemberg and Bavaria adopted the modified P.08 configuration as the model Lange Pistole 08 (LP.08) (c:99). A hold open device and a rear grip strap stock lug were incorporated into the modified P.08. The sights of the modified P.08 included a fixed front sight and an adjustable rear sight for longer distance accuracy. The P.08 was modified to incorporate a longer barrel in 9mm Parabellum. In 1911 the Rifle Proving Commission in cooperation with DWM began development of a specialized weapon that would fill this role (a:48). The German military required a compact weapon for soldiers with duties that could not conveniently carry a rifle. The Royal Rifle Factory at Erfurt (Erfurt) also began production of the P.08 in 1910.
Production of the P.08 started in Berlin, Germany at the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) in 1909. The German Army adopted the Pistole Parabellum (Luger) as their standard pistol the P.08 in 1908.