This is a 1914 Model, chamber dated 1917 Dutch DWM 8" model with the 800 meter adjustable rear sight mounted on the barrel. The 1920's pistole is the typical collection of WWI elements and in this case what appears to be a Dutch frame with the "Rust" pointed downward for the short sear.       (1622) 

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.

This is a 9mm weapon with all the matching parts marked in the commercial manner (hidden). The barrel is 200mm and it has an adjustable front site. The frame has the stock lug and the thumb safety. The thumb safety is marked "RUST" and extractor is unmarked.  The barrel is numbered and proofed to the weapon. The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for.

There is minimal holster wear and the grips show the fine diamond pattern.  The springs and small parts still show the fire blue and the strawed parts are excellent. The barrel inside is shiny with distinctive lands and grooves.  The magazine is clean and grips match the gun.

The original intent was to issue the 8" weapon to gun boat crews but it then became standard issue to machine gun crews and artillery units.

Acknowledging a requirement to protect the crew served weapons the German army was in search of a shorter, more lightweight weapon than the G98.  The Luger Carbine was well known (the Kaiser hunted with one), so the idea for a long barreled pistol with a stock was an easy jump to make.  In 1914 DWM produced a very few "artillery" models when the decision was made for the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt to produce the 8" Parabellum and DWM to produce the 4" version. DWM with the greater capacity to expand in 1915 produced both the short and long barrel versions.

There are those occasions when we receive Lugers that are in simply beautiful condition and it makes one very thankful of the former custodians of these fine pieces for the care and maintenance that they provided over the years to keep these Parabellums in the minty shape that we can enjoy today. When this Luger finds a good home hopefully generations to come will enjoy its craftsmanship even after surviving a war.

The left side of the receiver has the crown "N" which was the officail nitro proofing required on all non-military guns after WWI.

The serial numbers are marked in the "commercial manner" meaning they are hidden on the bottom of locking lever and sideplate. This Luger has all matching parts and "Germany" stamped on the bottom of the magazine. Commercial serial numbers ended during WWI in approximately 76,000 range (5 digits) and continued after the war until they hit the 90,000 range when the need for a suffix was required to prevent a seven digit number.

Sometimes in examination people think the leaf site is bent.  However, when raising the site to the full 800 meter position reveals a 7° left movement.  This design compensates for the rifling on the 200 mm barrel which gives the bullet a twist in flight and if properly adjusted will permit a corrected point of impact.  Another example of Luger engineering.

To unravel the history of this gun we need some facts and the secrets of the gun to reveal its origin. We know the war abruptly ended November 11, 1918.  By the end of 1927 the Allied Control Commission ended its activities and production began un-abated. Our big clue comes from August Weiss, Mauser production manager who posted that on July 1928 deliveries of 3,820  Dutch Pistole were delivered serial number 10182 to 14001 inclusive..

Occam's razor, a principle of logic: The principle can be interpreted as "Among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected". With all the signs hanging on the Parabellum, and from our written history, the fewest assumptions brings us to a 1928 Dutch frame with the "down Rust", serial numbered at the end of the Dutch KL contract with a 200mm 1917 assembled barrel and a 1933 rear main axel pin designed for export.

The Dutch were interested in the Lange Pistole-08 back in 1913 during the German test trials. A model was produced for the Dutch, serial #4 with a stock that the entire gun fit in much like the Mauser C96 stock.  There was particular interest in the Dutch Indes army but the Prussians were in contract with DWM for the same gun and the Dutch interest waned.