^Lot 1430 ATTRACTIVE UNIT MARKED GERMAN WWI DWM "1911" DATE

P.08 LUGER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 9mm Luger. S# 8074e. Bbl. 3 15/16". P.08 Luger semi-automatic pistol mfg. by DWM under contract for the Imperial German military in 1911. The top of the bbl. extension is marked "1911", with 2 DWM arsenal proofs marked on the right. Toggle is marked with the intertwined "DWM" monogram. Front grip strap is unit marked "R.S.2.61.", indicating issue to the "Reserve Sanitats Kompanie 2, Waffe 61" (Reserve Medical Company 2, Weapon 61). Right side of the frame exhibits small circular incision above a diminutive Imperial proof, indicating that this example was returned to the Erfurt arsenal and altered to accept a hold-open device. Metal components exhibit a rust blue finish overall, with some small parts including the takedown lever, trigger, safety lever, and ejector exhibiting a straw finish. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered wood grips. Standard dovetailed blade front sight and fixed V-notch rear sight. Early pattern frame without stock lug. All serialized parts are matching and include the frame, takedown lever, sideplate, trigger, safety lever & bar, hold-open latch, bbl. bbl. extension, trigger bar, breechblock, firing pin, toggles, as well as the grips. MAGS: 1 non-matching (S#: "918") plated 8-rd. with wood plug. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their original arsenal blue finish, showing some areas of light to mild wear and thinning fading to gray patina (primarily on edges), scattered superficial handling marks, as well as some small scattered spots of light surface oxidation and pitting overall. Front grip strap shows scattered spots of light surface oxidation and an appropriate area of holster wear on the toe, with the rear grip strap exhibiting consistent light surface oxidation. Strawed parts retain good amounts of their original finish, showing areas of wear fading to gray patina, scattered spots of age related discoloration, as well as some small scattered spots of light pitting. Relatively bright bore, exhibiting consistent mild pitting and some scattered spots of dark pitting around the muzzle, while retaining good, albeit worn rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics. Wood grips show some light to mild smoothing, as well as some minor superficial marks and impressions, but otherwise remain sound. A very attractive example of a Pre-WWI DWM P.08 Luger. (25-6563/MLW). CURIO. $1,200-1,800.