1915 German Imperial Luger 9mm Rig

This is a completely matching, 1916 Dated, DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken) WWI Imperial Luger with matching magazine and a 1916 an Imperial holster and a belt buckle and belt. This is chambered for 9mm and has a standard 4" (100mm) barrel fixed sights and walnut grips. This WWI Luger manufactured for standard issue firearm to the German military. A very unique specimen in good condition with a lot of history in a 99 year old gun. (1806)

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 read "Legal" for all the terms of the sale.

The very early proofs of the Germany military acceptance. 1910 was the first recognized year of military contract markings. Approximately 17,000 1910 dated Lugers were reported manufactured. There was no reported 1910 models manufactured by the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt.


The barrel length is 4" (100mm) 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. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and when exposed (safety down) means safe.

The Luger has all matching numbers including the magazine. The magazine is wood based, numbered to the gun. The magazine is clean. The barrel and the receive are marked with the full serial number and suffix. Additionally there is 8.83 reflected on the barrel which was the proof marking of land diameter of the barrel. The grooves designed to be 9mm.

This Luger is all matching including the magazine. These series of Lugers were produced from 1914 until 1918 for the German Military. This Parabellum has all matching numbers.

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.

DWM followed the policy of numbering 1-10000, 1a-10,000a then a production run of 17,000 would only reach into the "b's". However the 1908 1st Issue models began the numbering and ran through 4828b at which point the 1910 date was added to the chamber.


Original grips are finely cut diamond shaped checkering made from walnut or in some cases beech wood. These grips are serial numbered to the gun. The original firing pins were marked with the serial number and when manufactured the original grips were marked to the gun. This Luger bears a stock lug and a hold-open.

Although dated 1916 this is 1914 Model Parabellum. The 1914 Model Luger is characterized by the short frame, the rear "V" cut fixed and front dovetailed sight and the frame with the stock lug. The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps. The plethora of serial numbers appear on the majority of the small parts. This picture also shows the serial number on short sear.

This top shot picture illustrates the date over the chamber, the serial number on the extractor, first toggle link with the DWM logo. Below Right: The extractor is marked GELADEN (Loaded) to tell the shooter both visually and tactilely there is a round in the chamber.

Left: Both matching magazine are the customary metal DWM crimped sleeve with matching wood bottoms. Military Lugers were numbered 1-10000 and then 1a-10000a, 1b-1000b, and so on. To properly identify your Luger always use the full serial number with the alphabet identifier. The minimal wear is telling us the Luger served in WWI and shows the honest wear from the battlefield.

At the outbreak of WWI the German Army seemed reasonably equipped with the Luger Pistol. The DWM factory in Berlin moved to peak production by 1915 and were producing 700 Parabellums per day.


This 1916 holster has a manufacturer's cartouche and is in very good condition. The leather is still subtle and clear with the pull strap functional,

The inside of the holster bears the manufacturers cartouche and the date 1916. Also present is the German Corps markings of acceptance.


The holster is the brown color of the Imperial Army with white thread reflects the care of its custodians the past 99 yrs and was never died or tampered with.

The belt buckle is the steel stamped buckle that was worn both as a dress uniform and then later in the war painted the feldgrau color of the prescribed field gray. Close-up of the manufacturers cartouche and German Corps acceptance. The Imperial buckle with a nearly mint bent and a loading tool complement this rig.


The combined production for DWM during the war years is only estimated at 740,000. This was extraordinary for this period when each Luger was individually machined and hand fitted and proofed. The war destroyed vast quantities and these 90 yr old guns that have survived today are treasured in collections throughout the world.



The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for. The exterior shows honest wear on the muzzle, barrel and high points on the sides. The barrel is shiny and shows distinct lands and grooves. This Luger shows characteristic holster wear on the side plate and front exposed edges of the rails and end of the barrel.

Above Left: The 1916 Parabellum in full recoil: note how with the long sear (on the side with the serial number) prevents the sear stop (attached to the thumb safety) from bringing the gun to "Gesichert" (Safe) exposure. The impact of this is that you could not cock the gun in the safe position because the length of the old sear had prevented this. One of the last modifications of Georg Luger was the shortening of the sear and this began to be implement in 1916 and from there on. Above Right is the side view of the side plate removed and the serial number on the locking lever, trigger and full number on the breach very cleanly struck to make this a minty collectors gun.

On the right side of the receiver are the production proofs of DWM and the DWM military acceptance stamp including the test proof on the barrel. While the quality of the guns finish was not to pre-war standards they were still expertly fitted and the finish was excellent. The Army Test proof was applied to the right receiver, the barrel and left breechblock. Above you can see the unit marking on the holster The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps.

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 DWM monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link. The proof marks are the amazing story of this gun; on the right of the frame and barrel, matching serial numbers.

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. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. If you need more information about the gun to make your decisions then email josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

Original grips are finely cut diamond shaped checkering made from walnut or in some cases beech wood. These grips are serial numbered to the gun. Right: The up shot of the bottom of the barrel and left receiver with a tree digit serial number and the two matching digits on the locking lever and side plate,
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The Kaiser in the Middle East

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. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. If you need more information about the gun to make your decisions then email josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

This is a excellent example of a 1916 dated DWM Imperial Luger with all matching parts, a second matching magazine, a dated holster with a proofed loading tool, period belt and Imperial army buckle. This is a difficult date to obtain in this good of condition. This 1916 Imperial Parabellum rig is offered for $3,695.00 over-the-counter with the reservation that the gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and do not warrant the availability of any firearm that do not have a cash deposit.

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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