German Luger Collectibles

1917 DWM Navy SOLD

This is a 1917 DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken) Imperial Navy This piece is a 6 inch (150mm) barreled 9mm Parabellum with the Navy adjustable rear sight and matching Navy magazine. The DWM monogram markings appear on the 1st toggle link and the extractor is marked 'Geladen' (Loaded). This example has all matching serial numbers. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and when exposed (safety down) means safe. (1894)

Along with the all-matching gun is the full leather complement for a "Imperial Navy" rig; holster, shoulder straps, stock, loading tool and proofed cleaning rod.

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon. Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.

In August 1904 the German Navy underwent testing of 5, 9mm Selbstladepistolem Model 1904 from DWM. The trial was successful and in September 1904 the Navy asked the Kriegsministerium to order 2,000 Model 1904 navy pistols as soon as possible. Thus began to first acceptance of the 'Luger' by the German military. The 1904 Navy incorporated the new coil mainspring, the new extractor with the loaded-chamber markings. These "improvements" were underway during the testing an acceptance of the navy model.


This Navy is the classic; complete with matching magazine. The finish shows honest wear and would be rated excellent for an Imperial Navy. This model has a hold open latch and stock lug.

Serial number placement is in the commercial ("hidden") style. The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the bottom of the locking bolt, on the trigger, on the bottom of the barrel, the side plate, the left side of the receiver, and under the first toggle. These are characteristic of the Navy.

The 1917 Navy has the thumb safety and a stock lug. This Luger has all matching numbers. There are many theories as to why the rings on the Navy magazines; 7.65 - vs. - 9mm, to separate the magazines for accountability. In any case it makes it easy to identify a Navy.

The Crown M proof on the barrel and other parts is the Marinen (Navy) proof of the Imperial Navy. The four digit serial number is an early 1917 model and you can see the matching serial number of the barrel, the front of the frame, the locking lever and Marinen proof on the magazine bottom.

This biggest battle between battleships ever was a tactical German victory, but it did not change the strategic situation for the Hochseeflotte: Locked up in the North Sea by a British blockade, the German ships were limited to operate in North and Baltic Sea only and could not support the few ships operating outside of Europe.


At the rear of the toggle train is the 'Navy" rear sight with an extended button on the right side (TOP) what when depressed enables the sight to be pulled reward to reveal a 200m setting.

The 1916 and 1917 Imperial Navy put the date on the site band and on the front left rail of the frame. No particular reason can be found for this practice but it is characteristic of all these models.

On the front of the receiver is the four digit serial number and an "a" suffix indicating that this is the 10,4848th Navy Parabellum produced in 1917. The rear toggle has the last two digits of the serial number.

Rare to find as a rig the Imperial Navy fought one major sea battle with the British and then returned to their home ports for the duration. The divisions of marines on board were sent to Flanders to fight as infantrymen and from their ranks came the revolution that toppled the Kaiser, led to the 1918-1919 flirt with communism and the development of the Freicorps and Nazism.

Modeling the Imperial Navy rig it was usually worn around the neck and in a cross draw configuration.

The Imperial Navy is one of the rarest WWI guns that collectors seek. From 1904-1917 the German Navy bought the 6" (150mm) barreled Parabellums. Once the Imperial Fleet returned to port the Naval Divisions were deployed to the Western front to reinforce the Imperial Army. At the end of the war the Allied Commission created by the Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from weapons longer than 100mm. For the Imperial Navy's that weren't lost to war they were converted to the 100mm barrel length and the Weimar Navy began adopting the shorter barrel Luger. To find one of these in this minty condition is a treasure for the collector investor.



Inside the top of the holster you can see where the loading tool is attached under the top. The pull strap is attached on the inside and fully functional. All the leather is pliable and easy to work with.

Navy Holsters are very hard to find by themselves that haven't been altered. Originally issued to be carried on board ship for boarding parties and raiding. Without the stock and top strap the closure has not place to hook. Those holsters carried on the belt would have a brass knob installed in the top flap for the closure.

Above the silver disc that is inlaid in the stock is the Crown M (Marinen) proof. This proof was found on the very early stocks and the silver disc with the Crown M stamp was a latter identification of an "Imperial" stock. This stock probably was stamped while in "stock" and when the order for the silver disc to be applied it was then applied to an older stock.

This is a very rare instance when the stock serial number matches the gun. Issued as one piece they were interchangeable. with other guns and only by the individuals sense of accountability did this unit remain together to be all matching.

Navy stock were shorter than the LP08 (artillery models) and why has never been answered. There is no toe cup on the Imperial Navy to protect the attachment iron. Perhaps the original thought was there is not dirt for the Navy stock board to be shoved into on board a ship.


On the back of the "Navy" and "Artillery" holsters is a leather "stock block" that permits the holster to lie flush to the stock board and provides for the shoulder straps be laced through to hold the holster and stock together. Some sailors when committed to infantry modified the holster to belt use through strap loops and in some cases rivets holding on belt loops.

In the years before World War I Germany initiated a major fleet building program to enlarge its fleet - the Hochseeflotte - to a size nearly as powerful as the Royal Navy, the most powerful fleet in the world. Although the initial reason for creating this huge fleet was to protect German overseas trade, a lesson learned in several wars against Denmark in the 19th century, the key naval strategy in World War I was focused in one single decisive naval battle between the Hochseeflotte and the Royal Navy. It finally took place in 1916, the Battle of Jutland (or the Battle of Skagerak as it is called in Germany). A tactical win for Germany but the fleet remained blockaded in the North Sea for the balance of the war.


The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and safe is in the down position. The extractor is marked "Geladen." This Luger has all matching numbers.

Navy Models were marked on the bottom of the side plate and locking lever as they did with the commercial models. Both the sear and safety stop are marked with the last two digits of the serial number. See Görtz, *The Navy Luger* See Kenyon *Lugers at Random* Page 156.

The German Navy had three dockyards — at Wilhelmshaven, Kiel and Danzig. The last named was of minor importance, at least as a fitting-out yard. The dockyard superintendent (Oberwerst Director) was a Rear-Admiral or captain, and is directly subordinate to the Secretary of State. In this case the gun was delivered to Wilhelmshaven and should have subsequently been assigned to a ship where the ships armorer would have placed a unit number for which it was assigned. The absence of this number suggest the Luger wasn't assigned but remained at the Werft in storage or this Parabellum was sent directly to the units serving as infantry after the order to cease unit marking the guns.

The 100/200 meter Navy sight. The Navy was issued with a stock and holster similar to the 8" (200mm) Artillery model for the Navy Marines. This is the basic Navy that collectors either add or upgrade into their collections. Truly an Imperial Navy collectors classic gun.

The Navy was issued with a stock and holster similar to the 8" (200mm) Artillery model for the Navy Marines. This is the basic Navy that collectors either add or upgrade into their collections. Truly an Imperial Navy collectors classic gun.

The extractor is marked "Geladen" (Loaded) which not only can be seen but also felt by the shooter in the dark. The rear ramp sight is two position for 100 meter and 200 meter sighting. The serial number is on both the short sear and the sear stop. In 1915 Luger shortened the sear so the gun could be cocked without releasing the safety.

SMS RHINELAND shown in port.


The inside of the gun is as clean and well maintained as the exterior. you can see all the matching serial numbers on all the small parts and the short sear of the post 1915 models, the thumb safety down (Safe) with the German word Gesichert (safe).

Above you should see the wide flange that was utilized on the post 1908 Navy Lugers. This was from the experience of the force of the cartridge driving the toggle back out of battery with such speed and force that the rear main axel pin could become exposed and chipped. Above right is the Marinen mark on the end of the cleaning rod.

The first toggle link is marked with the DWM logo. There is the two-position (100-200m) sight on the rear toggle link and the last two digits of the serial number appear. This is a collector grade gun.

Most of the Imperial Luger's are marked on the right side of the receiver with the Imperial proof marks; the proofing on the "Navy Model" has always been distinctive with the Crown M for Imperial Marinen, the small date on the muzzle and side rail of the frame and the Crown acceptance proof all on the left side.

It is entirely subjective to give any firearm a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few collectible weapons are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. Any questions or request for additional purchases email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com This firearm is eligible for transfer to C&R permit holder, even in California. We are registered with CA DOJ for firearms shipment.

SMS HINDENBURG

This excellent example of the 1917 Imperial Navy Luger and gives the collector a chance at a very minty hard to find WWI Navy with all the proofs and matching magazine. No import marks, just a beautiful WWI bring back. We reserve the right to withdraw any weapon without notice when sold at gun shows or over the internet. Any questions to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com. This Luger is offered for $6,495.00 to the WWI collector.

We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and no not warrant the availability of any firearm that does not have a physical deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call for availability.

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

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3 Day Return Policy

We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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