Krieghoff P Code


The front sight is the full blade inverted "v" mounted on the 150mm barrel. The finish is the deep salt blue that is applied to a finely polished surface and it gives the gun the fine quality of a sporting arm that Krieghoff is famous for. The grips went from maroon to black after 1939 and the magazines were nickel-plated roll based until the 6000 serial number range when they became blued Haenel Schmeisser extruded magazines until the late production when the reverted to the 122 code or blank sleeved magazines were utilized. Commercial magazines in the Series I were plated, rolled and extruded; as commercial guns were made for attractiveness for sale.


This weapons can be transferred with and FFL and C&R. If you are a collector it pays to have your own Curios and Relics license. If you need more information about the gun to make your decisions then email josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

The only two calibers noted in Krieghoff production are the 9mm and 7.65mm. All military dated Lugers are 9mm and of the few civilian guns manufactured by Krieghoff only 20% were 7.65mm.

Commercial production or "P" Code was a "borrow" from the Swiss "Privat" or private which was also used by Walther. There were three "P" Code ranges for these 1625 identified weapons with the bulk of the Lugers made from rejected military components so the majority will have the five pointed star. It is believed that "P" Codes were begun in 1939 with the three digit series, On the Basis Range the P was not lined up perfectly with the serial number so it was assumed to have been later struck.

The 150-mm barrel is very rare on any Krieghoff and whether the barrel was made by Krieghoff or was from the old DWM stocks obtained from Simson no is unknown at this time. Suffice to say that this is a rare combination of the long barrel and 7.65mm and was most likely used for the target shooter.

Only in the very early P Code production Series I was there a side frame inscription. These were considered the prime "P" Codes because of the finish and parts utilized. This Series ended in the P900 sequence. They were further designated by the Crown N commercial proofing.

Krieghoff used four distinct grips. The early walnut grips that appears on the 1935-1936 models were not the same as the DWM or Simson grips but Kreighoff grips had an almost slab configuration and the diamonds were more course. The appearance of the brown plastic grip started in the mid "S" range and were a fine diamond design and manufactured by Hermann Ritzmann & Sohne and bore an 8964 stamp on the obverse. These were phased out in 1937 for a more courser diamond grip through 1939 when the black grips were introduced for the 1940 production.


"P" Codes were made from rejected military components which was designated by the five pointed star seen above on the receiver front. This meant that at some stage of testing the gun did not pass the rigid military testing. Krieghoff had a rejection rate of 10% while Mauser had a 40% rate. Depending on the deficiency sometimes that gun was re-worked and sent back to inspections where it was proofed next to the five pointed star meaning it had passed.

"P" Code Magazine didn't follow the rules or military magazine and brown based magazine show up on early "P" Codes and some 1945 dated military model and then the post-war model "P" series. Gibson noted that the Logo Die Type C-2 (as above are found on 1936-1940 Military type and the Series I "P" Code making this Luger correct.

There were two "P" Code series designations. The early series had the brown plastic grips while the latter "P" codes of the 1940 and beyond had the black "Mauser" style grips. In 1944 a distinctive grip was utilized for a short period and then in 1945 both the Mauser style black grips and the "left over" brown grips were used as parts were becoming scarce.


The extractor is marked with the Geladen (Loaded) and the Crown N proof mark is shown on the receiver. The toggle knobs of the Krieghoff show distinct countersink to the hole while the DWM had a slight countersink Mauser and Simson had none.

The P on the Serial number in the Series I (up to P11000) has a foot on the "P" while those beyond do not. Krieghoff proofing was part commercial and part military. Where other military producers placed the last two digits of the serial number on the out side of the side plate and locking lever it was concealed on the Krieghoff. Likewise where you expect to see the serial number on the rear toggle it is under the toggle, (see below).

Underside of the upper slide shows the serial number on the rear toggle on the inside instead of the outside as found on the other manufacturers Lugers.

Above you can see the serial number on the frame, the barrel, gauge markings on the barrel, stage I & II proof and the Eagle 2 Stage II proof on the matching magazine.

Here are the close ups of the left and right front side of the receiver with the five pointed star and the Crown N proofing.

Here you can see inside the gun and the care it has received these past 65+ years. You can also see the serial number on the trigger, and on the thumb safety extension. P604 the subsequent serial number to the subject gun is recorded by Gibson in his book the The Krieghoff Parabellum.

Contrary to popular opinion that pilots carried the Luger the principle recipient of the Krieghoff Luger was the German Paratroops ( Fallschirjager) A Luftwaffe general, Kurt Student, was given charge of airborne training. The Parabellum was the weapon of choice.

Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring became personally committed to the creation of Germany's airborne arm in the 1930s. As the Prussian Prime Minister of the Interior, he ordered the formation of a specialist police unit in 1933, the Polizeiabteilung z.b.V. Wecke, devoted to protecting Nazi party officials.

On 22 December 1933, the unit was again retitled, becoming the Landes-polizeigruppe General Göring.

The unit carried out conventional police duties for the next two years under the command of Göring's ministerial adjutant Friedrich Jakoby, but it was Göring's intention to ultimately produce a unit that would match the Reichswehr.

In the spring of 1935 (March–April) Göring transformed the Landespolizei General Göring into Germany's first dedicated airborne regiment, giving it the military designation Regiment General Göring (RGG)

The unit was incorporated into the newly-formed Luftwaffe' on October 1st of the same year and training commenced at Altengrabow.

Göring also ordered that a group of volunteers be drawn for parachute training. These volunteers would form a core Fallschirmschützen Bataillon ("parachute soldiers battalion"), a cadre for future Fallschirmtruppe ("parachute troops"). In January 1936, 600 men and officers formed the 1st Jäger Battalion/RGG, commanded by Bruno Bräuer, and the 15th Engineer Company/RGG and were transferred to training area Döberitz for jump training while the rest of the regiment was sent to Altengrabow. Germany's parachute arm was officially inaugurated on 29 January 1936 with an Order of the Day calling for recruits for parachute training at the Stendal Parachute Training School located 96 km west of Berlin. After Six Qualifying jumps the parachutist was awarded the parachute badge.


This "P" Code is very distinctive with the low three digit serial number and long barrel with a narrow front sight. The barrel shows the characteristics of a DWM barrel which Krieghoff had on hand from the late '20s.


The Luftwaffe recruiting poster and a jumper in training. The greatest airborne operation of the German Paratroops was the Crete invasion which while a success was very costly in aircraft and caused Hitler to reject these large scale attacks in the future.


This 1939 "P" Code shows the Crown on the barrel, and receiver with the correctly strawed parts and the side frame inscription of the Krieghoff Firm and truly represents one of the most coveted Krieghoffs that collectors treasure.

The Krieghoff Logo Logo Die Type C-2 and side frame inscription were characteristics of those identified as Series I Range up to P1000. After P1000 the side frame inscription is not utilized except for those guns boosted by personnel to enhance their value. It is believed because there are both military and P Code Lugers with the same digits in the serial number that the "P" Code was a completely separate commercial range.

Krieghoff Lugers continue to appreciate over the years at a somewhat faster rate than most Lugers. Many factors contribute to this increase in value; the very few guns produced, the quality of the guns and craftsmanship and the survivability of these guns from the 2nd World War. This increasing value entices some to create enhancements or "boost" as the collectors say anything with a Krieghoff toggle. One should study the gun carefully and compare the gun to the characteristics so well documented by the Gibson book before making a purchase. Side frame inscriptions and parts proofing are all documented; when someone begins to explain a Luger enthusiasm should give way to caution.

It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. For more pictures are detailed explanations contact josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com