1915 Imperial Unit Marked


The barrel length is 8" (200mm) and is chambered for 9mm. The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the left side of the receiver, on the side plate sear and trigger. This Luger is all matching including the magazine. This Luger bears a stock lug and a hold-open. It has the short sear and is extensively proofed.




The extractor is marked "Geladen" on the left side and the safety is marked "Gesichert" with the safe position being downward. The proof marks are the amazing story of this guns. The Crown RC proofing indicates that the barrel was replaced and other parts were inspected.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. This example has all matching numbers. The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame. The first toggle link is marked with the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link.

The top of the LP.08 show the serial number on the leaf sight, the 1917 Date, the serial number on the extractor, 1st toggle link and on the rear of the 2nd toggle link.

A = Crown Proof and "B" = last two digits of the serial number. The beauty and fun of the Erfurt models is all the inspector proofs on all the parts no matter how tiny.


This 9mm weapon with all the matching parts is marked in the military manner (exposed). The barrel is 200mm (8") and it has the "V" rear sight on the rear toggle. The Imperial proofs are well struck and tell the story of the gun. The barrel inside is shiny with distinctive lands and grooves. The magazines are clean and grips match the gun.

The barrel and the receiver are marked with the full serial number and suffix. Additionally there is 8.84 reflected on the barrel which was the proof marking of land diameter of the barrel or gauge markings. The grooves designed to be 9mm. On the front grip is the Crown RC indicating this gun was sent in for rebuilding. This Parabellum has all matching numbers including the magazine(s). The magazines are wood based and numbered to the gun. This Luger shows characteristic holster wear on the side plate and front exposed edges of the rails and end of the barrel.

The Imperial proofs are well struck and tell the story of the gun. On the right side of the receiver are the production proofs of Erfurt, (a Crown RC) and the Erfurt military acceptance stamp including the test proof on the barrel. The Army Test proof was applied to the right receiver, the barrel and left breechblock. The barrel inside is shiny with distinctive lands and grooves. 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.

The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the left side of the receiver, on the side plate sear and trigger. This Luger is all matching including the magazine. This Luger bears a stock lug and a hold-open. At the rear is the stock lug; these long barrel pistol were originally issued with a wood 13.5" stock and later on with the belt loop and no stock. Above Right: The arrow directs you to the extractor which says "Geladen" (Loaded) and tells the shooter when there is a round in the chamber.


The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for. (A) shows the short sear (1916 began the introduction of the short sear enabling the gun to be 'cocked' with the safety on); (B) the extractor marked GELADEN (Loaded); (C) the locking lever; (D) the trigger serial; (E) the return spring on full compression. There is honest holster wear on the muzzle, barrel and high points on the sides. The barrel is shiny and shows distinct lands and grooves.

The grips are marked with the last two digits of the serial number and are in excellent condition. It appears that the serial number 72 was applied numbers reversed and then corrected to match the gun (27). Interesting anomaly with all the other proof marks inside the grips.

The last two digits are on the leaf spring. The extractor is marked GELADEN [Loaded] which tactilely and visually tell the shooter the gun is loaded. The last two digits of the serial number appear on all the small parts as indicated by the arrows. These Parabellums were rust blued and have that deep coat which has preserved the gun the past 100 years.

The LP.08 was originally designed to augment the light shorter carbine carried by artillery crews and it was sighted with the 800 meter leaf sight and the front sight that. Truly a precision weapon for the marksmen who took advantage of the sighting system. By 1ate 1917 the LP.08 was more focused towards the assault role where its rapid fire and 32 round magazine capability blunted many a charge.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style; displayed on the left side of the receiver, the side plate, the locking bolt, the sear bar safety, the extractor, the forward toggle link, the front of the frame, under the barrel, and on the side of the trigger.

Above Left is the leaf sight that is adjustable for elevation up to 800 meters and also windage. Along with the adjustable front sight produced up through part of 1917 the LP.08 was was designed as a precision weapon and with the extended barrel and 800m rear sight making it formidable as a hand held weapon. Above Right one can set the mortise cut in the receiver to enable the sight to lay flat for '0' elevation. Only the frame of those intended for the LP.08 are provided with this mortise. Also highlighted is the Crown RC meaning the barrel was also changed at the time of the re-build.


Here we can see the magazine pouch attached to the should strap which is weaved through the stock block of the wooden stock that is serial numbered to the gun. The original "cup" on the end of the stock covers and protects the stock iron. The gun could be fired with or without the holster attached.

The stock is protected by the leather cup which conceals the attaching iron. The straps are adjustable and enable the gun to be worn either over the shoulder or on a belt.


This view gives you the rear toggle of the LP.08 with the last two digits of the serial number and the attached stock that is serial numbered to the gun. The stock iron was protected by the leather cup shown above on the stock to ensure it was not dirty when the gun was deployed.

The front and back of the magazine pouch with characteristics "L" shape stitching (Avove Right) on the back strap that provides for the shoulder strap (vertically) or the belt loop horizontally. Many early pictures of the German soldiers shows the cartridge case being worn in multiple configurations.

Above Left are the metal DWM crimped silver sleeves of the wood based magazines which all match to the serial number of the gun. Above Right is the proofed loading tool.

The implementation of the issue of the LP.08 was impeded by the last of holsters at the end of 1915 and beginning in 1915. These early issues were sometimes issued with modified Reich's revolver holster that were lengthened to accommodate the longer barrel. This holster was originally brown but with cleaning and wear the leather has slowly turned to a maroon color. Later in the war the color was standardized to black and a belt loop was added to the holster to enable detached carry on the belt.


Here you can see the Parabellum with the holster and field strap and the double magazine pouch. The leather is still subtle and complete with all the pull strap, loading tool pocket and "ears" on the cleaning rod and with a little care should last another 100 years. The double magazine pouch is made of the leather as the holster.

Dated 1917 on the back and the manufacturers cartouche. Under the top is the pouch for the loading tool.

Above the cleaning rod that is inserted into the front pouch of the holster. The 'barrel' handle on the cleaning rod which is designed to rotate on the original cleaning rods.

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. This was designed as a precision weapon and with the extended barrel and 800m rear sight make it formidable.

This 102 year old gun has been cared for by other custodians to preserve it for us today in this pristine condition. The inside of the gun is clean and reflects the effort for cleaning the past 100 years. Lugers that are stored for any period of time should have the wooden grips at least waxed on the inside to protect contact with the metal.

A prior to 1916 Machine Gun unit showing both the artillery model LP.08 and the Gew.91's In 1912, two years before WWI the Prussian military was testing a replacement for the carbine (Gew.91) and test trials were being conducted on the Lange Pistole (long barrel Parabellum). During 1916 the arrival of the readily recognized German helmet was issued and saved many a soldiers life during artillery duals from shrapnel.

It became the favorite of the Stoßtruppe (assault troops) or assault troops due to the Trommel 32 round magazine. This whole German concept of shock troops was started at company level and developed into battalion and regimental strength and was employed towards the end of the Battle of the Somme. The success of these units created the nexus of the German blitzkrieg that rolled over France in May 1940.

This is a excellent example of the 1914 'Artillery' Model Parabellum that is 1917 Chamber dated for the Imperial Army. An all-matching LP.08 with a matching stock, 1917 dated holster, basic straps and accessories, cleaning rod, loading tool and three matching magazines. No import marks or personalization images. It appears from the Crown RC proofs on several parts of this gun that it was brought back for a rebuild before the end of the war. Perhaps a new barrel and other parts replaced, proofed the gun has a strong rust blue finish.

This fully rigged Erfurt Artillery is offered for $8,895.00 over the counter. It qualifies for the one year layaway program with only 20% ($1,759.00) down and a year to pay it off, no interest, no fees.

We reserve the right to withdraw any firearm from an auction site that is sold over the counter. Questions to: josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com. This weapon is designated as a Curios and Relic (C&R) and be sent directly to those licensed persons.

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.

Genuine Lugers Sales - Luger History - Luger Accessories - Luger Holsters - Parabellum


The Imperial court acknowledging their support for the Kaiser. Below: Battlefield use of the Parabellum. This shows how the gun was carried and how they used their firearms. Note the lanyards on both uses. Below Right: The original Stoßtruppe (thrust/ troops) or assault troops were trained to cross no-mans-land, enter the enemy's trench system and engage or capture personnel. They carried a complement of grenades in their bred bags and their Parabellum's tied by lanyards around their neck.

UNIT MARKINGS

Unit markings appear to have begun among military units to keep track of equipment. German marketing system began the regimental markings first, then the battalions or squadrons and the last two numbers represented the number of the item. These unit markings appeared on weapons, leather, and as in this case the wood stock.

Jäger-Regiment #12 The Regiment was formed in October 1917 on the Italian Front. The Regimental Staff was the staff of the Ulanen Regiment Nr. 2 Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 2, Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 1, Jäger Bataillon Nr. 12 (from 1-12-1917) The Regiment was part of the Deutsche Jäger Division, the commander was Oberstleutnant von Pappritz of the Ulanen Regiment Nr. 2