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This is my favourite gun ,as can be seen it's a 1920 coded P08 Luger manufactured by DWM, it's full matching numbers excluding the mag which is third reich issue

 

"All Comercial model Lugers up to the end of the war in 1918 had 5-digit serial# and lazy c/N proofs. Production ended around sn74722.

 

Late 1919 Commercial production started again, continuing the 5-digit serial numbering beginning around 74745. Guns have upright c/N proof. This is new designation 1920 DWM (formerly 1923 Commercial).

 

Mid-1921 the commercial serial# series reached 92000. DWM converted commercial production to the military convention of numbering, four digits with letter suffix. Numbering began with letter suffix i , guns have upright c/N proofs. This is new designation Alphabet Commercial (formerly 1920 Commercial).

its possible the gun was assembled during the last year of the war but not finished due to the war ending, then after the war it was stamped with 1920, to be sold commercially, so this gun (or the the parts) where made just before end of WW1,then it was finally assembled for sale to the small armed force that germany was allowed to have.

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Excellent, and such good condition. Not surprised that this is your favourite, would be mine also. You certainly know quite a bit about these weapons. However, could it be that this is an earlier WW1 piece - the "1920" stamp was often a "Reichswehr Übernahme Stempel - meaning existing stocks were selected and proofed for the new Reichswehr after WW1, and received such a stamp. I have often seen this in the case of older weapons - having this date stamp, for instance, the M.1811 sabre (so-called Blücher-Säbel) and M.98/05 bayonets with a "1920" stamp on the crossguard.

Unfortunately collecting such weapons over here in Germany is a bit restricted - and you have these with about 6 holes bored through the barrel etc., just not acceptable to the collector.

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Hi fritz, yes you are correct about it possibly being an earlier gun, this was also discussed on the Luger forum & it was decided it was probably a 1920 acceptance code as you say due to the way it's been stamped unevenly,on top and the serial number dates it before 1920 and has lazy N proofs ( the letter N over crown on its side)as aposed to upright proofs

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The "N" being a "Nitro" mark (for Nitro charge or powder).

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  • 3 years later...

Screenshot_2020-05-26 Luger P08, (WWI+WWII) Deko Pistole.png

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This is the latest I have seen on offer since the new gun laws. This example is well overpriced for the appaling condition it is in, overpainted with silver paint, underneath probably pitting and rust - the left grip is a mess, the EU law stamps all along render this completely uncollectable, also the damage with the welded rivet just between the barrel and the Schlitten. The parts are internally welded together so that the object cannot be dismantled and therefore not even suitable  as an "Ersatzteilspender".  There is no magazine, and probably not possible to insert a magazine as per the new laws. For that price and at all - appaling!

 

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Even here is the US, these pistols can be very expensive in good condition, typically 1500-2000, with matching parts and magazines. Even more for WW2 versions.

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  • 2 years later...

Here’s my Luger - 1915 DWM manufactured - all matching numbers complete with hard leather case dated 1916 and two WW1 issue magazines.

The Luger has an interesting story behind it which I am researching at the minute and will comment further on when I’ve verified the facts.

However, as it stands, it’s a lovely Luger, in great condition, which may or may not be related directly to Passchendaele.

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Very nice pistol, I have a 1918 dated one myself, however mine was made at Erfurt

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Could you make a detailed photo of the text on the card attached?

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Here are two photos showing the two sides of the label.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I am currently researching the claims made and I am only half way through the process- some of them stack up, however, at present, I can’t find any record of an MC awarded to 2nd Lt Ashley.

 

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Looking forward to seeing what you found out from  your research, thanks for posting.

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  • 2 months later...

So, an update….

Lt Ashley, was a Lancashire fusilier. He was enlisted twice during WW1 under the name Willian Edward Ashley and secondly as Wm E Ashley.

He was at Passchendaele on the date mentioned, and his regiment was at the action mentioned. 

He did lead an action with a stretcher bearing party and was severely wounded by Germans who remained hidden in a bunker as the allied lines advanced - he is mentioned in official records.

Unfortunately I can’t find any evidence of an MC awarded to him.

There are significant discrepancies over his record as it seems he was invalided out of service and rejoined under a slightly different name. I will continue to research but thanks to all the people that have helped including the Lancashire Fusilier's Society.

I also have knowledge of his resting place and will investigate further

 

E

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Just to clarify, he did survive WW1 and was recalled to the Lancashire Fusilier's as a reserve officer in WW2.

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Excellent Eddie, I'm glad you were able to find him, let us know if you find out any more about him, would be great if you could find a picture of him.   

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